The One, The Lamb, in all of Us.

Are you content now Livhuwani ? Are you Happy now? Are you Loved? Am I meant for this, for them? Is this true Love? Am I the One?- I asked myself .

The answers I have learned i found in the Bible. And this right here is some from my learning!

The One truly exist. It is not just a Parable. The one who cannot be left behind is all of us. The challenge is how we matter. And, to whom are we - "the one"? Only but through the one sent just for us to be saved of cause. Yes, it takes a stray for a Shepherded to truly be in the height of his tending of a flock. As such, it comes down to the flock itself. Is it aware of its belonging ? Is it following the path it is lead to? Is it aware that it is safe? Are you aware that you belong? If you are aware, is it in the Lord? If not in the Lord, then where? Introspect...

Source : Luke 15: 4-6

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

The table can be set but the seats can be found empty. There, plenty is found but thanksgiving negated. A source identified, the undertaking and then indulgence, arrival – just for the next departure. Now and then, we make it but as well be chasing. All about favour, but yet for many no satisfaction. Grace found all around, yet no thanksgiving uttered at all times. The one is very significant, though in the midst of many. The dark horse, the dejected, the isolated, the one to blame, the fool, the poor, the silenced, the lost – is the one to God I am finding. What parable is there when clearly life goes on whether we get this or not? We all matter.

Image by Clay Banks

In our lives here on earth, all of us, aren't the one. To the Lord we are all his children though. We can be both a beloved and a bad apple in the very environments we are situated daily here on earth. We have the most likeable and cringe personalities in one here on earth. A hero, a friend and at times a confidant to one person, but a villain in another’s life. Yes, you, myself, we all matter very much, at most to God while in this very world and the very least to the next person. However small you maybe in spaces that shape a phase in a time of your life – you remain the one to God. However, recognised you are in spaces that dim your authority to shape a phase in a time of your life – you remain the one to God. The question is whether you know this and live identifying by it. Introspect...

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Image by Liana S

The time for everything, the you in everything whether active or not, whether effective or not, whether good or bad, a purpose is fulfilled.

The trust in you for that and them, the distrust in you for that and them, but to God all of it should be.

What the eyes be seeing, not all be it believed.

What the ears hear, not all be logged-in for future use in reference.

Not all that is done is – done.

Not all that is turned away, really left or was not worth the invitation.

Not all that is welcomed, needed to be settled in with and for.

To a discerning mind and heart, it all, for all, carry with meaning to God but somewhat meaningless on earth.

And, the one is all of us, to God.

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do

Image by Isco

Are you content in knowing that You Matter?

Are you content in knowing that you may not be the one where you are, but elsewhere …?

Are you content in just being yourself? – as created.

Are you content in just being by yourself? – as is part of living - well.

Are you content in the mingling? – as is part of loving and living – well.

Are you content in life’s realities of not and indeed?

Are you content in life’s realities of dependence and independence?

That your existence serves a balance even in your imbalances, even when there is misalignment.

You may be mistaken there and there, but a mistake you are not. Your being is knitted together for a complete life experience. A complete life experience carries with even the parts that are heavy, sad, boring, humbling, exploitative, repulsive, unfair and challenging. So much so, the light moments, happy, exciting, elevating, inclusive, palatable, fair and favour.

The Walters Art Museum

Back in 2020 when this blog came to life, I had been in therapy for at least two years, working on myself. I can say it openly, that I struggled living “my life” for myself and therapy was and remains a resource to overcome this. I lived for others. I needed to learn to know I matter. In august 2020 that is when I had a better relationship valuing my existence. It is not like I did not know God at the time, but I did not know who he says I am. As a result, I lived caring what the world and others say I am. That has been the root of most of my discontentment. I am not out of the wilderness now, but I am very aware that the wilderness does not define me. It continues to an unrest whenever I try to get back to my old-self of seeking people’s approval than of the Lord. It also takes away my joy and peace when I notice others identifying their entire being on things and other’s opinions. I pray we can all rest in God’s love at most.

1 John 4:9

"This is how God’s love was manifested among us: God sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him".

Image by Bharath Kumar

In this reflective time of the year, where a lot seems to be in conclusion, I wish for us to have learned to be still – knowing we matter to God. And I found that, a matter of contentment in the Lord theme this year, layered a journey to truly identify through obeying the word especially when conditions of this world are unjust. I lost a lot this year, specifically people I identified by. Most of the unhealthy expectations I had were definitely exposed. The ideas of an ideal life were scraped off in the reality that what matters is the posture of the heart. I tried so hard to hold on to what made sense in the conditioning of societal pressures, and the things and people voluntarily left me. I studied more of the bible daily and I found that I still have a lot to learn about my maker through my activities. My commitments change ed, and my comfort zones deflected to being areas of rebuke. When I thought I gave it my all, I earned less. When I said less, I received more attention. When I thought I’ve made it, I was actually done for. It only remained that my prayer requests in prayer meetings where less and less every time. And I have less words in prayer, my voice cannot quite come out, my tone changes when I deliver devotions, I respond differently to challenges and provocation. I probably said OKAY, thanks and noted this year more than I ever have because saying less was all that felt safe to express. I also had the most fun and calm this year as an adult. This fun and calm was not how I thought and in what I thought it would be in though. I did a lot of hard things in isolation as well. I did not feel safe at home when I needed for it to either. I remember driving hours back home one night after a serious life threatening accident at work and sleeping feeling more unsafe, unseen and alone. I am grieving losses without wanting to end my life though now. I also experienced heartbreaks that left me having what I think are panic attacks. For the first time in my life, I have found myself laying on my bed, crying without feeling my tears because I was trying so hard to hear if my heart was still beating. As a result, I drank more water since June than i believe i ever did. I was in numerous car accidents as well that seemed very small and insignificant but meant my mind was wandering. I received more recorded prayers to listen to from others this year. I even begged for an all night prayer to my prayer partners this year. My sharing of gifts and talents for service changed. I write differently. I research and consume differently. I then express differently. It is more intentional now, and at times it is as if I am not in control of what comes out. It is less and quiet now. It is not Performative. I always have bible scriptures as my base for a blog now. For some reason in all this, it feels like this is the most real, honest, humble and cheerful I’ve ever been. I do not understand this, but I am glad I trust that God does understand. And, that is enough.

Image by Evie S

The takeaway is this, contentment is not lack of the unsettling. It is understanding that His thoughts and ways, are not as of ours INSTEAD. This is the reason why He changes not, while we do all the time. May this be worth your time, especially in your spirituality. For me, to matter to God through Jesus Christ is my point of departing and arriving thus far.

Enjoy your Holidays!

Regards

Livhuwasha

@youmatter @you_matter_2_god @livhuwasha @ A Matter of Upliftment in various social media platforms