Ten years ago when former United States’ representative Gabrielle Giffords went to meet with her constituents in front of a grocery store in Tucson, Arizona, a gunman arrived, opened fire and shot her in the head at close range. Thankfully she survived the attack. Gabrielle fought to regain all that she lost- from walking to speaking to being able to serve her country. She even went on to start Giffords, an organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. This year we will not go through something traumatic or tragic in Jesus name however, we need Garielle’s fighter’s spirit and strength to overcome life’s challenges. Things happen in life. People have challenges, difficulties and failures in their lives. Family members get sick, you get older and may even have pain what C.S Lewis referred to as God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world. You don’t always get the job, scholarship, grant, promotion or contract (we call it tender in South Africa) that you want. Life is a struggle for many in this pandemic era, especially the daily wage earners, whose livelihoods have been badly affected because of past and current lockdown regulations to contain the coronavirus. Nonetheless, irrespective of the obstacles we currently face, we can be strong, stable and victorious. We can refuse to retreat or surrender. We can refuse to let failure or mistakes scare us away. We can be tough and triumphant during this tough time. It is easier to do all these things if we stay closely connected to God and if we are constantly strengthened and empowered in the grace found only in Christ Jesus. This year let your motto be “from strength to strength.”

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Scripture

Last week, I sat down to have a conversation with Apostle Kolade Akin on finishing strong. Find time to watch our interesting conversation.