The Tribune

By AYANNA CLARKE

I wondered for a while how to conclude this series. What words could I use to adequately sum up ‘Phoenix Rising’? When we look at the phoenix we realise a few important truths about life:

1. There comes a time when we will all need to shine – we are at the top of our game, “on fleek” as it were.

2. At some point our fire will be doused; our power may be taken away as we are blindsided by illness, financial loss, death, or a combination of all the trials and myriad disasters that can happen.

3. In the aftermath of disaster comes the job of rebuilding, redesigning our lives to suit a new picture, a new paradigm.

How amazing the lessons we get from this mythological creature! But we did not stop there.

We have realised that we have our very own phoenix in the person of Christ, the Son of God, who Himself faced temptations, trials and died willingly for the sins of the world. He didn’t stay dead though. He rose again – an anointed and sanctified example of coming back from death – our glorious example of a phoenix in every sense of the word.

So, as I end this wonderful and powerful series, I ask a few questions about where you may be in this journey to rebirth right now:

1. Are you now experiencing the fire of something being destroyed? Have you gone through some recent trauma?

2. Are you, perhaps, in stasis? Do you find yourself in a holding pattern – a time of waiting that demands you recharge, regenerate, and be restored?

3. Or, have some of us found ourselves at the infancy of new developments. Taking those first anxious, timid baby steps into something new?

In answer to these questions, Paul the Apostle offers I believe the answer we need. His advice is simply, “No matter what situation you find yourself in, be content.” In other words, be appeased no matter where you are in your journey, because by Christ’s strength you will make it through.

What I love about this series is that no matter which of these questions claim your reply, the ‘revelation of the phoenix’, the mighty testimony of Christ’s restorative power, has something to offer us.

The revelation of the phoenix bolsters our belief in our own ability to be indomitable in the face of life’s tragedies and maintain a bold spirit that we too can be healed and be restored to someone greater than who we used to be.

Though a myth, this amazing creature offers humanity the example of fearlessly facing the task of beginning again.

If I may, I’d like to suggest that like many of you, I too can relate or connect to this great theme.

I have, in many ways, faced the hardship and fear of starting over. But like many, I chose not only to rise above adversity but to rise in the face of adversity. Very intentionally I chose to ignore any sentiment of defeat and put one foot in front of another, trusting god all the way into a place of healing, once again.

Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it. Think about your own life. There have been many times when you thought you were at the end of your rope, but you kept growing, kept changing and you not only survived, but you thrived!

Our final lesson: the fiery phoenix is a solitary creature.

There will be times when you have to walk alone. There will be seasons when your flame alone will sustain you. And of course, we have enough examples to realise that everyone cannot join you on your journey to your next, best self.

But understand that it is worth it. The myth of the phoenix is amazing, and our Saviour offers a prime example that we can become our very own phoenix.

God bless you this week!