PUSH BUTTONS
Hold On to Your Staff
[14] Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. [15] For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. — II Corinthians 2:14–15 NKJV
We started this year, with the mandate to diffuse the fragrance of the knowledge of God into every place, as a tribe and as individuals; and what an aroma that has brought forth. It has been a beautiful journey of spreading that fragrance and telling the world about the name of Jesus — and it’s about to get even better, we’re not going to stop at telling, we’re going to be showing who Jesus is!
We are running with the mandate to let our light so shine before all men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Yes, we are GENEROUSLY shining our light into the lives of all those around us and beyond.
But as we are gearing up for the new year and running into the final hours of the year 2024, I would like us to be a little introspective…
Let’s take a moment to reflect on how the year 2024 has been — the small wins, the big wins, the friendships made, relationships established — defining moments, shared experiences, unmet expectations, unexpected meetings, the little doubts sometimes, the battles won, depths reached, heights attained, as we prepare for the year ahead.
Some of us may find ourselves in gratitude, some in regret, some in doubts, some in fear, some in freedom, some in light, some in high hopes of a break…
Whatever it is, however, we may feel at this time — all in all, we’ve all had our moments this year — For some, the year is ending with a bang and bright smiles all over, while others are wishing for more, with folded arms, bowed heads, clenched fists, longing hearts… and thoughts like “maybe I didn’t do enough” or “we go again.”
A lot happened this year and a lot more is about to unfold in the year 2025
But I’m here to remind you — you are not alone, God is there with you — Regardless of how the year is ending, whether you are where you want to be or where you ought to be, whether you have all you need or ticked all the boxes.
Remember — Your life can never be measured by your possessions, so it’s not about the successes and the big wins or the fact that everything didn’t check out, your life is measured by how much of God you possess, that confidence that garrisons your heart, knowing that in everything you don’t have, there is a God, whose you are and whom you serve.
The Lord is your shepherd; you shall not want
[4] Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. — Psalm 23:4 AMPC
Jacob recognised this, that though he left his father’s house with nothing, he had the staff with him, the staff helped him to cross over Jordan and he never let it go even till his last days.
The staff is the word of God
The staff is the presence of God
The staff is the Holy Spirit of promise
The staff is your sustenance
We depend on the staff for guidance, for stability, for direction, for hope and to build up our faith.
The staff is the word of God, and that’s all you need to cross over Jordan; all you need to cross over to 2025, God’s word is enough for you
How much of God you possess is dependent on how much of His word in your heart
Let the word of God guide you into all that God has prepared for you in the new year.
Hold onto that staff, don’t let go
[21] It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. — Hebrews 11:21 NLT
Jacob began his destiny sojourn with that staff and through it all, he never let it go. The staff came to remind him of all the seasons he had survived and how faithful God had been. He couldn’t be holding that staff and entertain ingratitude, scepticism, or doubt, because the staff was proof that God never left him through it all. He could have been caged in Laban’s house, murdered in Shechem, or died of hunger in Canaan. But through it all, He prevailed by the presence of God, evidenced by his staff. The staff shepherded Laban’s flock and aided his movement through life when his famous fight with divinity dislocated his hip bone… That staff was everything!
The staff could bear up Jacob’s body mass. What a strong staff it must be. The Word of God is strong enough to bear you up and strengthen your core.
Lean on your staff like Jacob did as the year is coming to an end, lean on God’s word and cross over with it.
So, go on, frame your Year — Speak God’s Word with all the faith in your heart
Let your eyes behold the possibilities of God for you
Let your heart believe His promises
Let your hands perform His Word.
[35] So don’t lose your bold, courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward! [39] But we are certainly not those who are held back by fear and perish; we are among those who have faith and experience true life! — Hebrews 10:35, 39 TPT
Cheers to 2025!
Abisola Oguntunde
IG: abisolaoguntunde
Push Buttons is a weekly devotional of The Powerpoint Tribe.
