By Olubunmi Adebayo
*A long time ago, Nathaniel, a sharp and critically minded disciple of Jesus Christ, before his conversion to faith, asked a historical but pessimistic question that was a shocker to everyone who heard him then :*
*”Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (a particular city in the land of Canaan)*
*Please read the story in details :*
*John 1 : [45] Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.*
*[46]And Nathanael said unto him, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip saith unto him, Come and see.*
*For your information, Nazareth was one of the least of the towns of Israel at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ : very remote, terribly neglected, long abandoned, grossly underdeveloped and outrightly naked and unprotected at the backside of the desert.*
*With a city fitting into the description above, Nathaniel wondered how could a personality, no less as Jesus Christ come from such a remote place?*
*But that indeed was the place of origin of the personality of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thereby placing the city on the map of global history and relevance spoken of by great minds and men of old.*
*Applying the above case scenario to your own life case :*
*The experience of life might have bent you into shapes you were not before now.*
*The things you faced might have battered you beyond recognition of people.*
*It is possible you might have been broken in different places, and into different pieces.*
*You may even be tempted to say in your heart of hearts that nothing great or good can come out of your life again because of what you might have passed through in the past.*
*Yes, your experiences might have marred you.*
*Indeed, your challenges might have turned you into a broken vessel.*
*But know this about life, there are times we go through things like this so that we can come out better in a new way, and stronger in a different shape. It is part of our building process in life.*
*True, things might not have turned out the way you wanted it. Your experience of life might not have been the most desirable.*
*But let me tell you this : this is still not the end of your life. The experiences you went through might have been to prepare you to come out better and stronger to a level that you can become an encourager to other people around you or around the world.*
*Know that no pruning process has ever been easy for any man in life.*
*If you indeed trust in The Lord, then know that no clay ever argues with the Clay Maker on what it should be made into, as no pot ever argues with the Potter on what vessel it should come out as.*
*Please consider this true story of life :*
*As at 1st day of June, 1998, who could have told Chief Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo that in less than one month from that date he would be a free man again from the allegation of a phantom coup d’etat raised against him, and for which he was imprisoned, _and that by May 29th of 1999 : less than one year from that date, he would be the sitting president of Nigeria_?*
*You know what? The Obasanjo example is just one out of several in space and time.*
*Most of the time, it is when the hopes of men are exhausted, that God appears to show forth His Almightiness and unbelievable deeds.*
*Remember, God is no man!*
*You ONLY need to carry the mind that things, under God, will turn out well for you. And sure, it will.*
*Remember, nothing shall be impossible for a man that believes.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
