Hi friends,
Long time no post. I needed some time to get back to what really matters when it comes to the Chibok girls, Boko Haram, and everything in this blog: prayer. For the girls, for Leah Sharibu, and for Nigeria as a whole.
But I’m back. And as I read through news articles about how Boko Haram has stolen, killed, and destroyed the fish market, leaving fishermen in danger of being killed or having to pay Boko Haram high prices1, it reminds me of two things: What the enemy wants to do in our lives, and how to live life in what can sometimes be “a new normal”; moreso, how Christ wants to lead our lives to a “new normal.”
Before Boko Haram became so prevalent, fish were a huge staple in Northern Nigerian cuisine. Now, people have resorted to eating lizards and even cats for their share of animal protein. Boko Haram has come in, wanted to steal the country’s strength, as well as oppress, kill, and destroy any sense of freedom and dignity Northern Nigeria, and Nigeria as a whole, has had.
Yet, we must continue to live, even under the most oppressive of regimes. Even in the most stressful and desperate of circumstances.
Sometimes evens in life hit us like a bus. We want to give up. Crawl in to bed and never wake up again.
And sometimes, that is needed for a period of time, to process and grieve. But it cannot be forever. I’m not claiming I know when that time is; everyone grieves and processes things differently.
But there comes a time when we must continue to live. Where we must continue to keep on, through a new and daunting “normal” way of life. A way of life that, if we allow Christ in, can become “new” through Him: abundant and teeming real life (John 10:10). After all, Jesus never, ever changes (Hebrews 13:8).
There is still much to be done. When thinking about this blog, all I can help but do is say that I will post as faithfully as possible, however and whenever the Spirit leads me to. As I look at what seems to be a never-ending struggle in Nigeria, I am reminded of how desperately needed our prayers are for the church—and all people in Nigeria. How desperately they need a “new normal,” one without the terror of Boko Haram.
As people suffer oppression on every side, let’s pray that Christ would deliver them—and that He would lead and guide them through the ever-changing “new normal” they have been pushed into. He alone will be truly faithful. ❤
1 http://saharareporters.com/2018/08/11/revealed-boko-haram-charges-fishermen-n10000-access-borno-waters
Do you know Jesus?
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NKJV)
Are you struggling to find a foundation to place your life upon? That is, a firm foundation that gives you peace, purpose, direction, most of all, a way to be saved after this life comes to a close?
One praise and worship song sings, “I will build my life upon [Jesus’] Love; it is a firm foundation.” To learn more about who this Jesus is, and why He and His Love is THE ONLY firm foundation there is, click here.
Please pray for…
- Those in Northern Nigeria who are struggling. Pray that they would seek Jesus, and that He would hear their cries and help heal their land and lives.
- Those currently being persecuted in Nigeria for their faith in Christ.
- Leah Sharibu, who is still under Boko Haram captivity for not deserting her faith in Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers!!!
