Life Condensed: what will be said of you?

2 Kings 22:1 – 20
2 Kings 22:2 “(Josiah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.”

Condensed milk, condensed books. We like things that have been condensed, consolidated, compressed, abbreviated, abridged and so on. Make it short; make it quick so that it saves time. Whatever gets to the bottom line!

The condensed version of King Josiah’s life is found in a single sentence. 31 words in one verse sum up the essence of his entire life: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” Amazing! Concise! Josiah’ walked the path of righteousness without swerving.

Josiah became King at age 8 and reigned until his death at age 39. His father and grandfather both reigned over Judah before him. Both “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 21:20). Despite his evil legacy, Josiah turned his heart toward God. And although Judah, the nation he ruled, had turned to worship false gods, Josiah did not waver in his allegiance to the one true God. No other King before or after him stayed on course like Josiah.

If your life were condensed into a short synopsis – one brief sentence – what would be said of you? How our lives are summarized depends on the choices we make each day. We have the tendency to become distracted by the cares of every day life and its responsibilities. It’s easy to get sidetracked from our primary purpose: pleasing God. It is easier to give lip service to spiritual things than to stay on course, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25)

May it be said of you and me that we did right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the way of truth, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

Gleaned from Ruth

The book of Ruth is an ancient story that follows the journey of one Jewish family’s struggle for survival. Escaping famine, Elimelech travelled to Moab with his wife, Naomi, and two sons. But 10 years later, we find Naomi in mourning at the loss of both her husband and two sons. She is left alone in a foreign land with two Moabite daughters-in-law and no hope of future happiness…..or so it seems. Naomi is a woman who forgot her dream, but God had not forgotten her. Through an unlikely chain of events, God restored her joy through her foreigner daughter-in-law and a kind, wealthy relative.

Ruth 1:16 “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
What do we learn from Ruth?1. Ruth was faithful towards God.
2. Ruth, Naomi and Boaz remain strong in character and true to God even when the society around them was collapsing.
3. She was loyal to people: to be loyal and loving in relationships, we must imitate God’s faithfulness in our relationships with others.
4. The values portrayed by Ruth were in contrast to those of the culture portrayed in Judges. Our lives should stand out from the world around us.
5. Trust God’s protection. Our hope is in Him and he can work in the life of any person.
6. Love is the greatest blessing. Blessings come in the high quality relationships God makes possible for us. Love and respect the people God has brought into our lives. In so doing, we give and receive blessings.

Compiled by Molly Manhanga

Movie Review: Not Easily Broken

Not Easily Broken is a soul-stirring film based on the inspirational best-selling novel by T.D Jakes. I watched this movie several times and have an appreciation for the messages it portrays.

A cord of 3 strands is not easily broken: husband, wife and God. Clarice is sweet, smart, driven, “got your back” kind of woman and she marries her man, Dave. But, life has a way of trying to knock you down. After a car accident which lands Clarice in the hospital and fighting to walk again, the couple’s affection is severely tested. Clarice’s mum moves in to ‘help’ but this help affects the couple. There is physical temptation, financial pressure and emotional challenges.

The problems that creep into the marriage are:
1. Work – appearance is everything
2. Lack of quality time3. Mother in law: she projected her own marital problems onto her daughter and disrespected her son in law
4. ‘Close’ friend of the opposite sex5. Lack of or poor communication: the blame game or the silent treatment

Who we listen to in our marriage actually matters. Ultimately this couple; Dave and Clarice needed to determine whether or not their vows are easily broken. I really liked the appearance of T.D Jakes and his wife as they were having a meal around a table with another couple as well as the Johnson’s. Much about the Johnson’s marriage is revealed by both verbal and nonverbal communication.

Dave moves out of the house and Clarice confronts her mum. Clarice loves her husband but mum is getting in the way. The movie ends on a happy note where the couple make up and are expecting a baby.

It’s an interesting movie to watch with good points to discuss after. Not forgetting the humour with one of Dave's friends who is in touch with his feminine side just a little too much!!!

Compiled by Molly Manhanga