Maybe you and I should stop taking things for granted.

On April 28^th, 2018,  I got the pleasure of visiting San Diego Zoo in California. It was a great way to spend a portion of my day walking around the zoo. The nature and the many species of animals in this habitat caught my eye. When I got to the Gorillas section, my heart skipped a bit to my homeland Kisoro Uganda. I remembered that my town is a home to many Mountain Gorillas. I still cannot believe that I have never gone to Mghinga National park in my town to check on my neighbors (Mountain Gorillas). Why is it easy to think of the beauty that is at a distance? I grew up in this beautiful place with wonderful features but I never paid a close look at them. I saw them but I guess they did not mean anything much to me yet many tourists from all over the world travel to come see them. Calderas like Sagitwe surround my place.  I wonder why it took me all this long to know that I had to visit them, hike around them or even take pictures. Do you think of traveling so far away as the only way to appreciate beauty? If you your answer to this question is a yes then you and I are in the same boat. 

Here are three things we need to do to stop taking things for granted,

1.      Pay a closer look at where we are. God has placed us where we are and each of the places we get to be in has a beauty to embrace. We just need to notice it.

2.      Explore our surroundings: You do not need to wait for that air ticket to travel to a distant place. Appreciate what is around you and enjoy each moment of being around them. If that opportunity to go to a distant place comes, it will be an added advantage.

3.      Be content: Do you have a place to visit on your wish list? If yes, that is perfect. You, however, need to be content where you are until that time comes for you to visit your dream place. 

My eyes are now open to seeing the beauty in Kisoro Uganda. I cannot wait going back home to explore the beauty that I have taken for granted for over twenty years.  Uganda is gifted with flora and fauna. I am looking forward to exploring my motherland than ever before. I am looking forward to exploring the world around me than ever before. Blessings as you enjoy the beauty around you.

Whom do you serve or glorify?

In a society that is result driven and performance oriented, it is easy to think that ministry is all about numbers. Some organizations today would rather have many branches opened than actually changing anybody, one person at a time. Should ministry be all about numbers? Why is it easy to pride in one’s achievements without acknowledging God- the giver of it all?

No matter where we are placed, we have that inbuilt selfishness attitude. There is a tendency of looking at ourselves as better than those around us. Since when did ministry become a competition? Why should greed and selfishness drive what we do every day? If we are serving one master, should we compete with each other in the search for prominence or favors? I believe that the Lord created each one of us for a purpose. Our aim should be to serve diligently as we follow our calling. It does not matter how much yield we make but it matters if we make a yield. Our yield is still valuable in God’s Kingdom no matter how insignificant it may seem to be especially in comparison with other people’s yields.

Today I am reflecting on Paul’s words, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). It is my prayer that whatever I do will be to Glorify God. I calm down all the moments when my selfishness wants to take the show. May my life manifest the Lord’s presence. Oh, how I want his living image on my face. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen

#WhateveryoudodoitforthegloryofGod #Always