Dear Friends,

Three hundred and sixty-five days are a lot of days; we thank God who took us through those in 2017. Through His effervescent mercy, we are here in 2018 – blessed be name of the Lord. Many of us tried many things, some of which failed, while others succeeded. Many journeyed on stormy seas, many on troubled waters; while some had turbulent flight and many sleepless nights. But God saw us through. Strange diseases could have stolen the lives of our loved ones; many evils hovered around us – we are here by grace. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Like I said earlier, many of us had some losses and some gains. Usually, this time of the year is when we begin to look reflectively into the past year so as the cut those losses this year. This is the time we plan for the new year. There are lots to cut off from our lives: ties to severe, unpleasant habits that have kept us on a spot, weight to lose, etc; you can add yours. I was surfing the internet last night and was seeing different tips on how to make 2018 a better year than 2017. The cycle is the same year on year and will always remain so. Of course, these things are true. Nobody wants a better last year; everyone wants a better this year.

Nevertheless, while we plan and strategize for the new year, is it possible for us avoid unforeseen circumstances? If we could, well that is a plus. May be we could if we had prognostic powers. But in reality we can’t. We could always expect uncertainty, because they are bound to happen. Therefore, it is imperative we are prepared for it. I know companies, corporate firms and individuals will be trying to steady their boats this year and pray that the tide doesn’t come in too hard. Well, we all are praying for that.

Anyway, my concern is what if an event happens that can change the course of our history and we are completely unprepared for it? I am talking about an event that is not time controlled and could happen at any time and to all humanity at once. No, it isn’t World War III. Nah, our leaders have been trying to avoid that since 1945. They can do it again this year. And if they fail, may God help us. But I am talking about… (Pause for effect) the… wait for it… the RAPTURE. Yeah, the rapture!

Yes sir, I know we don’t talk much about the rapture anymore. Christ said He’d be back, but it’s been two thousand years now, yet there is no sign of His coming. Moreover, it is the 21st century after all. Notwithstanding, as Christians, I wouldn’t want us to forget the parable told us by Christ Himself in Mat. 25:1-10.

In the passage Christ told the parable of the ten virgins: five were wise and five were foolish. They had been invited to a marriage supper as guests of the bridegroom. They were eager and anticipating for the coming of the groom. Alas! The groom tarried. The wise five while packing had thought of buying extra oil and bringing it along in case they might need it. Perhaps, they informed the foolish five of their plan, but they just made light of it. May be they even called them names: fanatics, bigots, extremists, intolerants, and other words that breathe incorrectness.

Soon they were all tired and fell asleep. Suddenly, at midnight a cry went out so loud that they were jolted from their sleep. They were to go out to meet the groom. The wise quickly took their lamps and made for the door-their lamps had been burning all night. “Oh come on!” said the foolish, “Our lamps are going out, turn us some of your oil”. “Goodness! But sorry we can’t give you of our oil” the wise replied as they dashed out to meet the groom. And you know, “they lived happily ever after”.

At another place (Mat.24:37-42), Christ compares his coming to the great deluge in the time of Noah. People heard it prophesied-Noah warned them of it, but they rubbished it. They were getting married, hosting events upon events and festivities upon festivities, until the flood came. It met them unprepared and outside the ark where they could have been safe. Well, they ended on the wrong side of history – they “lived never after”.

At this time, we are filled up with planning for the year. We are thinking “Eh, how can I make up for those things I couldn’t achieve last year?” We want to complete our building projects, buy new houses and cars, go on vacation, get up the corporate ladder, get better lives, become alpha males, etc. But we don’t think, “What if the rapture happens this year, will I see the Saviour?” “What were those excess baggages I carried through 2017 that could stop me from rupturing with Christ?” “Am I really rapturable?”

The new year is upon us and I believe it is a year we will achieve more, both materially and spiritually. And I pray that it’ll be your best year yet. But as we bask in its euphoria, we mustn’t forget to set our priorities right. We mustn’t be negligent with our spiritual lives as the foolish virgins and the people of Noah’s days were. We can’t afford to be presuming on the sufficiency of grace, while we live precariously. We can’t expect grace to speak for us when we live oblivious of our spiritual lives.

Many of us spent the last day of last year seeking the face of God for the new year.  A friend was telling me few minutes ago (when I was penning this letter) that a particular church always fast for the first nine days of the year, praying down God’s blessings into the year. While I truly believe in things like this (I did pray into the new year too, fasting from the 29th-31st), but before God all days are the same. God lives in eternity, thus, he is more concerned with eternal things. Yes He wants to and will make this year positively memorable for us. But more importantly, He wants us to be prepared to come home. Home is where we belong as Christians.

Peter while admonishing us said:

                        But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2Peter 3:8-14 KJV.

In conclusion, in this world we have no continuing city; therefore, as we plan for the new year, let us prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. We don’t know when it will happen, should it be this year, we’d only be glad knowing we are of the wise lot and not of the foolish. Whether we live here or leave, it must be for Christ. Grace is sufficient for us. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Gabriel T. Abina is a lively Christian writer, whose desire is to be a voice for God in this generation. A graduate of Hist. & Int. Stds, he has two completed manuscripts: In The Eye of the Storm & Rahab: God's Grace Unveiled, and currently on some others. He blogs @ gabrieltabinablog.wordpress.com