Come to yourself in 2023
MOST of us are familiar with the story of the prodigal son. This son had asked his father for his inheritance early and went off to a foreign country and squandered it. Without any resources left, he had to hire himself out. He had to do jobs that were beneath his capacity, opportunity and dignity; jobs that were beneath his heritage. He was unable to adequately feed himself and recalled all of what was available to him before he made the stupid decision to take his inheritance early and squander it.
What sort of unwise decisions did you make in 2022, or prior to that, and are still making right now? It could be concerning a career path, your health, a business or a family matter. Are there areas in your life that when you ponder them carefully you realise that you are out of alignment with your divine calling and purpose? Take heart. Sometimes the consequences of misalignment and bad choices can actually help us to ‘come to ourselves’ in the same way that the prodigal son ‘came to himself’ in Luke 15 vs 17. It can give us clarity and the impetus to better our situation.
That situation could be about an unhealthy abusive relationship that you may be in right now where your life is literally at risk. Don’t squander your life and future. Separate yourself from that situation and get help from trusted friends, family and a godly wise pastor. In matters of love and relationships, especially marriage relationships, us women like to hope for the best and trust God to fix the impossible. But we can do all of that hoping and trusting for the impossible from a safe healthy distance and not put our lives at risk. Let us come to ourselves.
Sister friends, a new year doesn’t provide any special magic or clarity, but it oftentimes provides a space for honest inspired reflection and review of our lives. As we step into 2023, let us seize the opportunity to assess and come to ourselves in ALL the areas of our lives that are out of sync. And like the prodigal son let us humbly make a change for the better.
Here are some nuggets from Luke 15 to keep in mind as we assess and reflect on an area that requires change.
•Carefully consider the matter and dispassionately assess what’s really going on (in your relationship, friendship, careers, fitness, etc). “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!” Luke 15 vs 17.
•Then take action, however big or small. “And he arose and came to his father.” Luke 15 vs 20.
•Trust God to provide the people to help you and love you through your come back. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15 vs 20
In what ways have you been coming to yourself? Write me at womenandfaithcommunity@gmail.com.
Happy new year!
Passionate about faith and women empowerment, Shelly-Ann Mair-Harris is the author of several publications including God’s Woman and The Goodies on Her Tray. A woman of faith for several years, Shelly-Ann is the creator of Family and Faith Magazine and Women & Faith. She is also a podcaster, an award-winning playwright and poet as well as a trained and experienced media, marketing, employee engagement, change management and strategic communications professional.
