LOOKING BEYOND THE OBSTACLES

PSALM 121 In an African village, a young girl learning to carry water balanced a heavy pot on her head. “Keep your eyes on the path,” her mother said. “If you watch every stone and ditch, you will stumble. But if you focus ahead, your steps will follow.” Life is the same. In Psalm 121, the … [Read more…]

QUESTIONS AND HOPE

PSALM 13 On a long, dusty journey through the desert, even the strongest among the travellers may ask, “How much farther?” In Psalm 13, David—like a weary traveller under the hot sun—cries out four times, “How long?” He feels forgotten, burdened, and alone. Yet this psalm shows us that even in our deepest struggles—whether illness, grief, or … [Read more…]

TREASURED AND PURSUED

HOSEA 11:8–11 A herdsman once lost his prized cow. Though the journey was long and harsh, he searched day and night until he found her. “I cannot give her up,” he said — “she is mine.” In Hosea 11:8–11, God speaks of Israel in the same way. Though His people turned away from Him, He could … [Read more…]

STANDING TOGETHER 

RUTH 1:11–18 At a rural boarding school, two girls become close friends. When one loses her sponsor and prepares to drop out, the other offers to share her food and supplies—even at the risk of punishment. “We started this journey together,” she says, “and we will finish it together.” Just as Ruth chose to stay with … [Read more…]

SIMPLE TRUST, DEEP ASSURANCE

HEBREWS 11:1–6 A young boy tied his goat near the hut every evening. The goat would bleat once, then quietly sit and wait. It knew the boy would return with food—always. That trust, simple yet deep, reflects the kind of faith Hebrews 11 speaks of: confidence in what we hope for, assurance in what we cannot see. … [Read more…]

KINDNESS IN A BOTTLE

MATTHEW 25:37–40 On the way to school, my daughter and I stopped at a roadside drinks seller near the market. As we waited, I asked, “Shall we make someone smile today?” She nodded. We bought our drink – and quietly paid for the next person too, an elderly woman carrying firewood. My daughter’s face lit up. A bottle … [Read more…]

NO FAVOURITISM

ACTS 10:34–38 In rural Kenya, a young girl was the first in her village to attend a school led by people from another tribe. She faced mockery and isolation simply for being different. Yet she grew into a strong woman of faith and grace. Like the early Church, many around her believed God favoured only their … [Read more…]

KEEP FOLLOWING

JOHN 6:47–51, 60–66 Sometimes, following Jesus feels like being a student in a difficult class. You show up, take notes, do your best — but the answers do not always make sense, and the teacher does not always explain everything. Some coursemates drop out when the lessons become too hard. Many followed Jesus for signs and blessings, … [Read more…]

TRUST AND REST

MATTHEW 6:25–34 A village farmer heard the chief’s drumbeat summoning the villagers. Though he had done nothing wrong, fear gripped him—what if he was in trouble for something he was unaware of? Jesus asked whether worry could add even an hour to our lives (Matthew 6:27). Like the farmer, we often fret over shadows. Instead, take action where … [Read more…]

GOD SEES THE HEART

1 SAMUEL 16:1–7 Amina was a shy girl from a dusty town in northern Ghana. She loved fixing broken radios and often helped her uncle at his small repair shop. While others pursued more “important” careers, Amina quietly nurtured her curiosity. People overlooked her, assuming she had little to offer. But God had a plan. Years … [Read more…]