GRWM: Armour Fitting with Paul Day #4

To be certain of things not seen

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

WE ARE STILL ON THIS MATTER!

Ephesians 6v16 “At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.

Today, we’ll be learning on the Shield of Faith. Lol, this a very timely post as my faith had a brief staggering session at the thought of what my future may hold earlier today.

In the previous posts on the Armour of God I know I emphasized more on how you could put them to use, but today I’ll be showing you how I’ve been using my shield of faith.

There’s something I haven’t really talked about in any of my posts but we talk about it everyday. It is the one and only (drumrolls) ASUU strike!!! (Woohoo 🙂). We’ve been on strike for about 5 months now. If you don’t know what I mean, I mean all federal universities have been shut down 'cause the government is owing lecturers.

There have been days I could care less and enjoyed my compulsory holiday and there have been days that I start to think I’m really not making progress at all. I mean, this was not part of my 5 year plan!

I am not learning any vocation, neither am I earning money. I think that’s what hits me the most and not the fact that I’m out of school. I am actually doing nothing when some of my friends are out and about making waves, lol.

I read one of my posts from 2020. It hit me just as hard as it did when I first wrote it- when I had to spend one year at home after my graduation 'cause I hadn’t gained admission into the university.

Now, if you’re wondering why I’m doing nothing, it is because at the beginning of the strike I heard ABBA’s voice loud and clear when He said, “We’ll spend this time together." I was pumped about that until the end of the 2nd month and I realized, yo I’m actually doing nothing! So I tried to convince my parents to let me learn a vocation. A proposal, that on normal circumstances would be accepted was declined 'cause the vocation they had in mind wasn’t what I wanted and we couldn’t come to an agreement.

Many times, talk of enrolling me into driving school came up but was brushed aside by one reason or the other. We went back and forth until I declared that I’ll pick up one of my hobbies (crocheting & knitting) and practice, at least to feel that I can actually make something out of my life.

ABBA preferred that conclusion, even after trying to convince Him that I’d still have time for Him whether I work or not, but He wasn’t having it. He said He knows me and I’d sleep past every personal time with Him. He says He doesn’t want me to have a “valid reason" for not giving my ALL (my time, my desire, thoughts, strength…). So He wants me home... With Him.

I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if I was a stranger reading this I’d think, “Why is God being a bit inconsiderate?" Don’t worry, I’ve thought so too.

But in the past few months I’ve learned things money can’t buy. And I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. This is God turning a bad situation for good, and even though I’m not making the progress I think I should, I have truly grown. I know more of the Lord than I ever have. I recognize His voice, and obey faster. I have more faith in Him. I have more understanding of His Word. He’s been reshaping wrong mindsets and healing wounds I didn’t even know I had.

During these times, I have held up my Shield of Faith with shaky hands knowing that if it slips a bit I’ll be down in a matter of seconds 'cause the enemy hasn’t taken a break from throwing fiery darts of doubt.

Panting, (with my heart racing like crazy)I am holding the shield of faith close to heart, believing with every fibre of my being that God has a plan; that my life isn’t wasting away, that there is purpose in this time and that it is being fulfilled.

I know I sound crazy, I can hear myself.

But ABBA hasn’t made this strike possible for me to make money (He’s said it so many times now), but for INTIMACY. And so I can have time to write and post every month, hehe.

In 2019 God gave me many prophesies and even some regarding assignments that’ll take place when I get into the university, so I was so pumped to resume that year, but like I said, I didn’t get in. 2020 passed, so did 2021 and I’m yet to resume. In 2022 I finally get in but resumption is delayed.

What is all this? I asked the Lord, and He said, “I’m preparing you. I’m preparing you for the fulfillment of my word so when it comes you will not stumble or fail."

GOD IS MAKING ME!

Do you know why I am still standing even though I feel like falling every time someone asks me, “Ah’an you guys have not resumed?", “You’re not doing anything? Better find something to do o."

I am still standing 'cause I know God is in it with me.

In this seeming confusion I have clarity 'cause He affirms His word to me every day when I wake up, “I just want to be with you" He’d say.

What am I doing in the strike?

Well, I sleep and wake up with my shield of faith, I hold on to it as I do chores and lay my head on it to rest. I also use it as a tiny desk to write whatever ABBA is teaching me.

Here’s my encouragement to you: that promise or instruction God has given you may not make sense to you and even to those around you. But hold on to it and follow through. At the end of the day, He is the author and finisher of your faith, He is the One who knows the end from the beginning, He is the One whose thoughts and ways are higher than yours, He is the FAITHFUL God and a GOOD Father, so you can trust Him.

You will have every reason to doubt. The enemy would whisper things you can’t even say out loud into your ears. Your neighbours will whisper and give you the side eye. But hold fast to your shield of faith Soldier. GOD HAS A PLAN!

One way to know if God is in it with you and it isn’t just your mind playing games on you is to check your PEACE. ABBA affirms His agreement with a thing by His presence, which in essence is Peace because He is the Prince of Peace.

Your questions from confusion will always end with clarity, your tears will be wiped by an unseen hand and your back will be pat even in your fear, as long as He is with you. So just believe what Jesus says.

If you’d like to read the post I talked about earlier, you can read it here. I tagged it, “To trust not blindly, but fully" 'cause that’s how I see FAITH.

I’d like to also share this post from Jackie Hill Perry that strengthened me. I hope it helps you too! And a sermon by Pst. Stephen Chandler titled, “I wasn’t left, I lingered" really got me anchored on PURPOSE. So I recommend you check it out too.