This week’s Truth Keepers for Truth Seekers column is about how we need for each other throughout the stages of our lives.
If you read the intro question, before you THINK, “not really”, or “maybe,” or “Hmm, who would that be?” Or “why would they need me?” I am sure there will be one person that pops in your mind, who needed you today. If not today, it was yesterday, this week or will be tomorrow.
The other side is you are assuming that everyone needs you, the indispensable all knowing, all around you. That is not true either.
We won’t go there today.
I made my list of “seventies” today. At least seventy people who have grown close to my heart during my span on earth, vital keys, highly appreciated, prayed for and important in my life. They are the reason, I am here today.
If you are on that list, you will get your own personal copy of this note when I meet you one of these days.
Why did I do that?
To let those know who are on that list, they are needed for someone close to them on their list. When they need me for prayer, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, a voice to speak up for them (because no one seems to listen to their heart cry) or just need my silent presence, they will hopefully remember this note.
Behind the names on this list are real people. Not “Facebook, Instagram or social media friends (Because I hardly go there). The majority on that list, I met physically many times. Some I interact with daily, others not that often but when I do meet, it is like we just carry on from where we left of last time. A few are still to be met in person because of distance, or other factors but the connection is already there.
I divided them up in family, spiritual family, kids, young people, friends and more. I made a rough list first, then, copied it in my special notebook. In there I keep track of my ongoing goals in different areas of my life. In there are the people to keep in mind and people important to me
Once I started making the list, it kept growing.
I am blessed! Diverse people come in different seasons in our lives. Some will be there for life, others will come but eventually leave you, because they were meant to be there just for that season. However, the impact they made will always be there or vice versa.
I came up with seven seasons -
1. Infant season- We are born into this world, starting to discover what this world is all about.
2. Childhood season- Growing up. Our schooldays.
3. Educational season- Learning and getting prepared for the career we want to pursue.
4. Career season- Getting skilled and contributing to the society we are living in through our profession.
5. Family season- Getting married, settled and raising a family.
6. Reflection season- Kids growing up, leaving home, starting their careers and family.
7. Wisdom season – Reflecting on our lives, still learning but passing on our knowledge and wisdom -- possibly writing down what the next generation can benefit from -- our lessons, mistakes and things we have learned in our span on earth.
In each season, you will need others and others need you. The percentage of you being needed more or you needing others more, will vary with the season you are in.
But the need for each other will be there in each season.
The question you should ask the ones close to you is: “How can I serve you better today?”
If you live, expecting constantly to be served, you will live a lonely life. We are here on this earth to serve and in that you will definitely BE served! And find the satisfaction that comes with serving others.
The big news this week was the untimely death of Charlie Kirk. Why? Because he spoke truth.
His heart seem to be to just serve, first of all his wife and family. Second, the staff he worked with. Third, he wanted to be a voice for those that could not speak up – the missing children and aborted nameless babies that never had a chance to live out their purposes. Fourth, to remind people of true Godly Biblical values and in that to bring back a right moral standard. Fifth, encourage young people to get the right partner and raise a Godly family and in that bring heaven to earth.
Like mentioned before, the basic structure of a society is healthy families living in harmony living with other families in a community and making that community the best and safest one for the those living there.
If that basic structure crumbles, society crumbles.
Worldwide we can see that happening.
The 4th leading death is people dying of suicide.
Why? Can we look at ourselves and say: “Was I there for that person that is not here anymore? Did I reach out to them when they withdrew themselves? Or did I condemn them? Did I do my best to encourage them when they needed it most? Did I open up my family because they do not seem to have one?
Every 40 seconds, a person dies of suicide worldwide. Is our State exempt? No! From 2020 to 2022, it jumped from 0.9 to 2.2 per 100.000 people. It seems to be much higher as of today. Many are likely not reported or hushed up because of the stigma that hangs around it. So this figure is not a very reliable one.
What will you be known for?
As for me, I would like to be known as a person of faithfulness, reflecting His glory on my face and a voice of courage for those who just could not speak up because they were too young, too shy, too afraid or never had a chance to see the light of this world.
I will end with one of my favourite passages from my favourite book: the Word of God!
Psalms 139-From the one who Knows All About Me- and you!
For the Pure and Shining One (Jesus Christ) King David’s poetic song.
1-Lord, you know everything there is to know about me.
2-You perceive every movement of my heart and soul,
and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind.
3-4-You are so intimately aware of me, Lord.
You read my heart like an open book
and you know all the words I’m about to speak
before I even start a sentence!
You know every step I will take before my journey even begins.
5-You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way,
and in kindness you follow behind me
to spare me from the harm of my past.
You have laid your hand on me!
6-This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible!
Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength.
13-You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside
and my intricate outside,
and wove them all together in my mother’s womb.
14-I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex!
Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking.
It simply amazes me to think about it!
How thoroughly you know me, Lord!
15-You even formed every bone in my body
when you created me in the secret place;
carefully, skillfully you shaped me from nothing to something.
16-You saw who you created me to be before I became me!
Before I’d ever seen the light of day,
the number of days you planned for me
were already recorded in your book.
17-18 Every single moment you are thinking of me!
How precious and wonderful to consider
that you cherish me constantly in your every thought!
O God, your desires toward me are more
than the grains of sand on every shore!
When I awake each morning, you’re still with me.
23-God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart.
Examine me through and through;
find out everything that may be hidden within me.
Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares.
24-See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on,
and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting way—
the path that brings me back to you.
My goals:
1: To encourage each one to live out their lives – according to psalm 139:16
2: To make sure everyone knows how to get safely to our Heavenly Home.
3: Be faithful, full of courage, reflecting His Glory.
4: Be a voice for those that need one.
How long? Till my book is done and His song He is singing over me now (Zephaniah 3:17) echoes on where He is.
And I can greet or welcome those on my ever growing list. Or welcome Him here when He makes His glorious return to us!
Here to serve,
Akhrienuo