This is your 'Greater' Year!

Chapter One
Winter: Beneath the Melting Ice

Winter: the year’s coldest season, the closing period or time of inactivity. This season accurately reflects the season that I have found myself in. Winter often represents a “changing of the guards” a transition from one phase to another. Some outcomes of winter, apart from things being covered with snow, are the adjustments that we must make to facilitate the change of a season. This can also relate to our lives as we go through changes and adjustments. Thus, an important question, is what lies beneath the melting ice of our lives? This question is profound, as to survive a day normally is an accomplishment for the walking wounded among the great many of us.

Some of us have experienced challenges and struggles that have lasted seasons; that have resulted in us questioning and looking toward a season of joy. I understand how you feel, because I have gone through many storms, and this book has been birthed through one of these storms. There are times that the storms of life beat so fiercely that we have not seen the rainbow that reflects God’s promises for a long time. However, God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).
The genesis of a storm is unique to each of us. It can take the form of death, relocation, disappointment, the challenges of completing important projects, our job, health challenges, poor relationships, marriage, adapting to a new culture, new friends, church, etc. The rapidness of the storm’s pace can be overwhelming to the extent that to find one’s equilibrium requires holding on to the Lord for fear of becoming unglued. Popular questions asked in the midst of a storm are “How can this happen to me?” and “Why did this happen?”

The storm that formed the origin of this book felt different from every other in that I knew instinctively my life would not be the same again. The Lord had me right where He wanted me. Everything that could have been shaken was: my job, health, relationships, emotions, spirituality, finances, confidence, career, expectations, etc. I agonized, wondering why so many calamities befell me so God could get my attention. This led me to question where my treasure was stored. If our treasure is the fact that we are educated, have a good job, have money in the bank, own stocks and shares, own a luxury vehicle and a home in an affluent neighborhood; if our treasure is in our spouse, children, and where we live—then these are all temporal things that can be taken away. If we die today, they will be gone too. Therefore, if our treasure lies in the fact that we are in God’s will, whatever that may look like, the enemy cannot rob us of it. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

Sometimes being in God’s will takes us outside our comfort zone. This experience changes our daily story of predictability and safety. However, I have grown to realize that it is in this place of discomfort where God does reposition us in accordance to His will. This is where we are stretched, we grow, we learn to pray and trust; this is where we change, like a caterpillar that needs to go through metamorphosis before it becomes a butterfly. In its newly formed state, it can reach heights previously unattainable.

The uneasiness that comes from discomfort can bring about restlessness, which can affect our faith in God, the world of Christendom, and how people act and behave. People are becoming more lovers of themselves and the things of this world than lovers of Christ. If we rule out wars and rumors of wars and rule out natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, and just look at people’s behavior, this is a direct indicator that something is going on; and it is spiritual, “for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). There are times when the enemy tries to rob us of everything he can get his hands on, but it is important to remember that the enemy cannot rob you of something that does not belong to you if it belongs to God. The enemy does not even have access to that which belongs to God; therefore, he cannot rob you of anything.

However, I was encouraged that “the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Prov. 3:12). Through the years, I have learned that when challenges come, it may appear that we do not have God’s favor—but the devil is a liar! We are encouraged by God’s word: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:10–11). It was evident that this valley condition was the beginning of my journey toward a mountaintop existence. There are times when we are uncertain as to how long our journey will last, but all I knew unreservedly was that the Lord was on my side and that He would never leave me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5).

This book is written to encourage the fainthearted, those who are confused; those who feel rejected, disappointed, fearful, and hopeless; the backsliders; those who are holding on without knowing what tomorrow holds. Be encouraged to keep moving forward, because there is light at the end of the journey. There are times when we may be fearful, when we see no evidence of light, or when we have not seen the light for a long time. Regardless of your situation, never give up, because God can turn things around.