“Examination Date: 31st December!”

“Examination Date: 31st December!”
There seem to be a paradigm shift of sloganeering from the political to ecclesiastical. Preparation for new year’s eve come with catchy slogans like, “Cross over night,” “Cross over to take over!” Etc!
On their part comedians come up with skits accusing pastors/prophets for false prophecies as the visas, husbands, promotions, and breakthroughs that were promised for the year just ending never happened.
On the other hand are those who after counting their blessings and naming them one by one acknowledge that they have all the reasons to thank the Lord. Any child of God who has come to the end of another year must of necessity put a stone of help and say,“Ebenezer!”
It is needful to take stock to see if the goals that were set at the beginning of the year were achieved. Objective evaluations within set timeframes is good motivation to set new goals and work towards their realisations.
We do not just cross over, except we know where over is, and what is over there. Even when we cross over to take over, we should at least know what we want to take over. And where did it come from and how did it get there?
In all of our evaluations and goal settings for the year, we often undermine, or outrightly ignore that which is core to our existence – spiritual evaluation.
As we bid farewell to the year 2021with its global COVID-19 scare that came to add to other challenges, we are reminded:
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test”(II Cor.13:5).
Even in spiritual matters, life is an examination that does not need copy work. Just as we apply SWOT analysis or any analytical option to determine projects progression, so too is it important to test our spiritual growth to see if we are actually on the right track in our journey in faith.
While we are thankful to the Lord for the strength, he gives us another chance to eliminate the threats, or to transform them with the weaknesses into opportunities of spiritual enrichment in the next year. He pleads with the Father, “Sir, leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down”(Lk.13:6-9).
End of year prayer: Heavenly Father thank you for the blessings, grace and mercy in 2021. Holy Spirit lead me, let me bear fruit next year. Amen!
Have a blessed year end and a spiritually fruitful new year 2022 Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.