This is a picture of a key: a key hole on a door. Obviously this means the door is locked because nobody uses a key on an unlocked door. Surely most of us , if not all of us, have done this action before. To get access into our house l have to use a key and unlock the door – only then can l enter. It doesn’t matter how rainy it is, how hot it is, how cold it is; the door cannot open if ;

• you don’t have a key
• you don’t have the right key
• you’re not in close proximity to insert and turn the key

One time my niece and l were coming back from the airport and it was such a cold cold night ; we got to our place and discovered none of us had the key. It started off as a joke , “”You have it don’t you?” – “No you are the one who has it,” until it wasn’t looking funny anymore. We were cold, hungry and needed to get into the house because it was getting darker outside. To make things worse, we had a spare key but guess where it was? Yup- IN the house. The door remained closed and we stood there – panicking. Where would we sleep? How long were we gonna hold out on such a cold day? Even if it is your house and for sure all that is inside is yours, if the door is locked and you have no key , you are as good as a street person who has no house. Only difference is – you probably have cleaner clothes.

We stood there for a while, had our neighbours come and try to climb onto our balcony but even that door was locked from the inside. I was commanding the door to Ephphataaaaa 😂 but the door never Ephphoot (there’s no word like that so don’t carry it and start using it to pray) Also my faith was smaller than a mustard seed so vele eh! Guys! We had to pay lots of money for a locksmith to come and open the door for us. A stranger came to open OUR door for us ( Selah) It took him a few minutes and we were phakathi inside. Eh but we paid yho!

The locksmith did not have our key. He had other tools that can open the door by force. This means he didn’t need the key because he had discovered other ways to deal with the situation which would give the same desired end. Imagine if we just stood there and cried all night, was the door going to open up? Does the door have feelings? Could we beg the door to open? No. What about reminding the door that we own the house? Or telling the door we have a key but it’s inside? No. This is what happens with most of us in life, we stand before doors and we don’t have a key or a plan. We then sit and cry. How many years have we cried standing by opportunities simply because we refused to unlock the potential in us? What about what’s beyond the door?

Psalm 24:9-10NLT

⁹ Open up, ancient gates!
    Open up, ancient doors,
    and let the King of glory enter.
¹⁰ Who is the King of glory?
    The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
    he is the King of glory. 

Think about it. The opportunities on the other side of “school” . The greatness on the other side of “investing in prayer” . The beauty that comes when we “unlock the ignorance” by studying the word. Many of us have the key! We are just not desperate enough to “take a shower in the house” or get a “proper meal”. My niece and l were desperate that’s why we paid money to get into the house. My darling sometimes the key is money. Paying your fees. Tithing. I know we hate talking about money but sometimes only having an idea of how the door can open doesn’t necessarily mean the door will open.

How about the key to your joy being you confronting your fears? So will you lock up your heart and refuse to love again because the last time it didn’t end well? Will you stop trying to get into the market place because you’ve tried to unlock the door for years and you’re still outside? What if you have the key and you’re suffering outside because you’re not desperate enough to find out what’s behind the door? Oh l have a lot to say on today’s reflection post but let’s continue next Friday.

Do you have the key? What are you doing about it?

Are you like us? No key? Make a plan like we did.

Bottom line is ; the door must open. (That really is the bottom line – literally) 😂

We are in the last half of the year! Let’s take sometime to celebrate the fact that we are alive! I lost an aunt on Sunday who was super energetic! She was sick for four days and that was it! She was one of the strongest people I have ever known yet over a couple of days, she passed on. This is not an issue of “Doctors said I’m healthy!” Or “I eat healthy food and go to the gym!”. In as much as all this is correct application of wisdom , our tomorrow is always in the hands of God even our next second! It is not by might nor by power. It has nothing to do with beauty, wealth or eloquence. The most beautiful and most powerful still sleep the sleep of death! Thank God! Really, thank Him! He has kept us! Welcome to July my darling!

Are we ready? If you said , “For what?” You’re not ready 😂 I can tell you by the Spirit of God, we have stepped into a season like no other. You do not want to be found without oil in your lamp or jars in your house. There is a pouring of blessings! I know many of us are aware of this, it’s in big bold letters in the Spirit; we are in the new! We usually get excited over new months and then after a couple of days we’re back in our shells of anxiety – just like how we’re so extra on New Year’s Eve into the new year only to fall back into the bubble of sadness that it looks like a replica of the last season. I hope we do not find ourselves reversing into the old when the new is here. Old mindsets, old habits, old characteristics, all in the trash can. 🚮

It is very easy to find ourselves back in the old because we’re afraid of the new or we’re simply not prepared. The foolish virgins had the lamps! They were virgins! They had the invitation to come! They had the correct outfits l suppose, had done their hair installations 😂 and beautified themselves. They arrived at the banquet before the groom and waited! The problem was they waited without capacity. They overlooked the importance of full on preparation. They didn’t think it was necessary to have extra oil because “We can borrow or buy later!” My darling, this world? Life? Will not wait for you while you look for the next vendor to give you oil. Have you ever stopped time? Does it stop and wait for you to put some concealer on or take rollers off? No. Instead – time is the friend who will leave you behind (me leaving you behind for church if you’re late!)

I am reminded of Naomi. She let her daughters in law know that even if they waited, it was to a dead end. You cannot just “wait” , work on what makes you the best candidate. I’m not necessarily talking about marriage I hope you catch my drift, I’m not ruling it out either. Having the brain (lamp) is not enough, make sure the brain has sense (oil) . Having the looks (lamp) is cool but let’s also get the character (oil) . Let us stay with our files ready! Is the cv ready? Is the heart ready? Will we have to do risky last minute patch ups and possibly lose what we’ve been believing for? What if they don’t borrow you their oil? What if they say “We only have enough for ourselves” What if the bridegroom arrives and we’re out looking for oil at the wrong time?!

There is a serious need for us to be prepared this season. Be prepared to be promoted! Be prepared to meet Boaz or Esther! Be prepared to fast and pray. Be prepared to serve! Be prepared for battle so that you don’t become like Israel army – trained to fight only to disappoint an entire nation! Be prepared to love! Yes! Loving people with their imperfections. Be prepared to forgive! People will mess you up! Be prepared to endure should this not be your season! Be prepared to laugh! Infact start laughing! Be prepared to dress up and go for the interview – while you’re applying – have your outfit ready! Be prepared to win! Be prepared to be a good husband/wife! Be prepared to give! Be prepared like an expecting mother prepares delivery clothes for her newborn . They call the little fleece – a receiver! Get your receiver ready – we are within! When a pregnant woman is going to give birth she packs some clothes for the baby. She has never seen the baby. The baby has not told her it will come out alive but She is just confident that the baby will come out. She is aware that Labour time is not the time to be looking for a receiver or nappies. She cannot say to the midwife , “Wait, I need to run to the shops.” She cannot borrow from another mother who is in Labour because chances are she also has prepared for her own child. Pushing time is not the time to be looking for the receiver! We are in the Labour time! Receivers ready! Ears ready to push at the command of the midwife! All you need is to be getting a name for your miracle! Congratulations in advance!

“Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭35‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Hey my lovely family. It feels like I haven’t written in a long time. I want to apologise for my inconsistency the past week, I had to attend a conference in another city. I left in a hurry and didn’t want to “just write” to mark register. I believe that if you’re a cook , the taste of the food is more important than the design of the plate. Likewise, l cannot make one cute post that literally has no soundness. I am back though and have a lot to tell you. Ohhh I obviously took pictures!

One of the things l learnt from this trip is that faith and worry cannot coexist. I was worried about so many things and then l decided to drop that burden and man did God show uppppp! Imagine how many times we have failed to receive from God because we’re more fixated on the problem than the problem solver.

“He was unable to do any great miracle in Nazareth, except to heal a few sick people by laying his hands upon them. He was amazed at the depth of their unbelief! Then Jesus went out into the different villages and taught the people.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Jesus was “unable to do” got me! How can Jesus be limited in doing what He wants to do? What could possibly stop Him? Who? How? How could Jesus’ power be limited by the reaction of people? The bible says it was because of the depth of their unbelief – so he went out into different villages. It is possible to live too near a man to see him. It is possible to be close to the anointing that’s helping others all over the world but you. It is possible to live with a good spouse and never see it; you could even be the child of an Apostle and never receive from them – it’s not in proximity – it’s it’s heart condition. Our focus today is – unbelief.

I did not believe that I’d make it for that conference. So as long as l had that heart- l did not go. I could not go. When l decided to stop worrying and start thanking God, praying that if it’s His will l will go – l went. With no single hiccup. My trip was smooth as my skin when I was 21 years old (now I dunno what’s happening – send help Oh Lord) Anyways it’s not like it will stop me from going to heaven and stuff. 🫠😂. Dear friends, it is true that there is a connection between faith and the workings of God. Could it be that it’s not that we don’t fast and pray , could it be that it is because we don’t believe. Far it be from us that after all is said and done , we remain without , simply because the depth of our unbelief is marvelling.

The gospel according to Mark made it clear that Jesus performed miracles as an acknowledgment of someone’s faith. “Your faith has made you whole,” was His response to many who asked for their healing. The issue at hand, therefore, is not one of whether the Lord had sufficient power. The issue is how we have adopted unbelief as part of our character. We become “unbelievers” who pray 3 hours and do Esther fast. Believers who were waiting for the Messiah they didn’t believe in. It has become a character trait – a stronghold – a lifestyle – a mindset . Many believers only believe in going to heaven but they can’t trust God to put food on the table. Many of us have been here but were being called to more by believing more! Jesus is busy doing mighty works in other cities! What about in your city? In your family? In your life?!

There is an idle faith that is only stirred up when we see first – like Thomas. I experienced something that made me realise , God is ready to do. I’m the one who’s not ready to receive. The faith of the woman of the issue of blood! She didn’t even worry about touching Jesus’ hand, she wasn’t in a queue saying “Papa please lay your hand on me” , hers was silent, hers was determination, hers was “All this man is and has , has the power to change my life even the hem of his garment!” Do you realise that Jesus didn’t sew that garment ? He probably bought it somewhere. There was no occasion where He taught people to touch His garment for healing- so how did this woman even think of that? “What can the hem of His garment do? I need Him to pour anointing oil, l want to fall!” This generation may say. I have come to remind you, Sarah and Abraham didn’t have the same faith.

Sarah still believed in helping God. You need the breakthrough? Stop calculating how many Hagar’s you have that can pop your Isaac. Start thinking about what Isaac will wear when he arrives. Faith is locking into the later. To perceive and lock in! To perceive and be convinced it shall be so and not otherwise. Sometimes it’s not in the obvious, sometimes it’s in the hem of a garment or holding onto a promise even if you’re old. Remember, He is busy doing miracles signs and wonders in other cities.. He can do it in yours..

BY FAITH.

At the beginning of the year my friend Andile had us create our vision boards. We also did a challenge where you introduce yourself as the future you. That whole challenge challenged me. I had to get over the “it’s too big a dream!” thing and create a vision board that was faith based from the first picture to the last. If you haven’t done yours , do it today. There are apps like Canva that have the templates. My advice? Dream big and fuel it by faith.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Past negative experiences can make people feel worried that the same series of events will line up allowing the past to recreate itself. The disciples failing to catch fish all night could’ve been their excuse to say “No! We won’t cast the net again. We keep on failing ! We have tried 20 times and all we got was zero. We are tired of failing. We are going back home!” But they were still positive after toiling all night for NOTHING! Many of us have toiled over the years and caught nothing . God has sent a prophetic word but we did not mix it with faith because “Lord, I will fail again so NO!”

We fear another dose of heartbreak so we reject everyone. We fear the email saying we are not the preferred candidate so we stop applying. We fear that we will crush when the net is pulled and there’s nothing so we stay home and stop fishing. Fear. We look at the past and we assume that the future will be the same. That is not correct. Why are we afraid of a future that God says , will not bring us harm. I can’t help but conclude, we don’t necessarily fear the future, we just don’t have faith in God’s promises. We fear our own idea of the future. What lies behind the door at the other end of the room?

“Here’s what Yahweh says to you: “I know all about the marvelous destiny I have in store for you, a future planned out in detail. My intention is not to harm you but to surround you with peace and prosperity and to give you a beautiful future, glistening with hope.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

A future planned out in detail. The fear of the future can paralyse our daily lives. It can even take away your mental stability. Many people are depressed because of this. They lost a job and started spiralling in thoughts thinking about what will happen to them. What does the future hold for me now that I’ve lost my father? How many more years till Isaac is born? I’m running out of time; everyone around me is progressing. He still says, the future is planned out in detail? Every moment! So break free from the never-ending chain of worry that can give rise to feelings of hopelessness. Your future is sorted!

You are having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, can’t eat, you don’t laugh anymore, you have changed . These symptoms can weigh heavy on your mental and emotional wellbeing, robbing you of the joy of the present moment. Abraham waited, he did not question God, He trusted in Gods integrity even when he was told to slay Isaac , he didn’t fear what the future would look like between him and his wife. He didn’t sit and start thinking about how Sarah would respond to the fact that a father has killed his own son. In overthinking lies many weapons that demoralise. In overthinking lies seeds of doubt. In overthinking lies triggers of fear.

In the African society (and maybe other societies as well) parents are also another reason why young people fear the future. In the shouts and the complaints, fearful young people find themselves compromising to find relief . Girls are busy with older men , young men are busy with older women. The fraud. The back door deals. Sarah ‘s way out of barrenness because she fears dying without hearing the word “Mom” is still a foolish way out. The fear of the future will leave our society if we go back to the One who has already detailed it. And whatever He tells us to do .. we do it!

And hey… He is not a man that He should lie.

“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬