The Tribune

By AYANNA CLARKE

Whenever a new year rolls in, we are bombarded with words of goodwill, resolution, all in preparation for what will happen during the fresh season that is upon us. Pastors, motivators, counsellors all echo the same sentiments in terms of meeting goals, changing behaviours, and affirming what is positive.

The thing is, we have had these lessons for the new year, and any new seasons, specified openly in the Word, aeons ago! Malachi 3:10 declares, “Bring the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house; and prove me herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it!” (KJV)

Before you get your guard up, this is not a plea for money (I am an unashamed sower and believer in the power of sowing, paying my tithes and giving offerings, but I would never force that belief on someone else), this is something even more powerful. Take a look at the second part of the verse, it declares, “… the windows of heaven are open!”

For those of you reading this article, you’ve probably heard (ad nauseam) all the promises and declarations that you can stand for the year and the decade that looms ahead, but let me assure you, this is not a cliché. Believe me when I declare to you that this is a season of the maturation of all the seeds that you have sown in the past; a time for the fulfilment of promise and potential, to all those that dare to believe!

So many of us have seen our share of misfortune and malady over the years that we tend to slip back into the routine of...hmmm…what is the opposite of expectation... “un-expectation” by the second week of January. We’re bombarded with the same mundane tasks of the year before, but here is an exercise for you:

1. Take note of where you are right now

2. Begin to see yourself where you want to be

3. Move toward that goal incrementally

4. Understand this – you are standing at the open windows of heaven

Please take careful note that in the list, I did not say move toward your dream. I said move toward your goal. There is a gargantuan difference between the two. When it comes to goals and dreams, here is what I tell people, “Goals are dreams in fatigues.” The dream is what you want for yourself. Your goals are what you determine to do to make it happen. And all of this, with God’s Divine stamp of approval.

Windows are such amazing things:

1. They reveal

2. They let in light and fresh air

3. They break up the monotony of a space

Of course, you see where I’m headed. The open windows of Heaven provide a promise to us all:

1. They will reveal what God has in store, but also what we have on the inside of us

2. They will allow the exchange of refreshing and illumination from our Heavenly Father

3. They will provide Holy respite from the static nature of our Godly service

This new year, new decade, new season – whatever term you use – certainly has me thinking that all things are possible. And it should do the same for you.

If you are still here, I am a firm believer that you are not just taking up space – there is a mark that is still left for you to make on your world. Are you to going back to school? Starting a new business? Beginning a new relationship? Working toward a promotion? Getting physically fit?

The variety of these choices reveal exactly how different and unique we are. Our desires (and goals) are as different and innumerable as the sand grains that line our beautiful coasts.

But there is one thing that remains the same for us all – we are in the unique position of not only being alive, but being repositioned for outpouring that will change us for the rest of our lives.

God bless you this week!