Reflection: Pressing On: How Scripture Became My Anchor in The Storm

Fifteen years of war stole much from me. My father, a pillar of strength, and my cousin, a bright spark of life, were silenced by the violence. The car bomb that ripped through our house and almost killed my wife and two young kids. Grief, a heavy cloak, threatened to suffocate me. But then, I found solace in Philippians 3:12-14.

Paul’s words resonated with the hollowness I felt. Yet, there’s a forward momentum in this verse, a pressing on. So, with each sunrise, I choose to focus on the next chapter. It’s not forgetting the past entirely. The lessons learned, the loved ones cherished, these memories weave into the fabric of who I am.

The God who held Paul’s hand holds mine too, urging me onward. Like Paul, I strain forward, my eyes set on the horizon, on the hope of a future held in God’s hands. The war may have taken much, but it can’t steal my faith, or the unwavering belief that the greatest prize awaits – a new heaven and a new earth, where peace reigns eternal. I am determined to write a story of resilience, a testament to the unwavering hope found in scripture.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the unwavering pursuit you place within our hearts. May we, like Paul, constantly strive towards the prize you have set before us. Help us forget what hinders us and fix our gaze on the future you hold. Grant us the strength to press on, knowing your love guides us every step of the way. Amen.