You will never walk alone

A petrol tanker driver in Embu County averted tragedy few months ago when he drove a burning fuel truck out of a petrol station before it burst into flames. The heroic driver had gone to deliver fuel to a petrol station when he noticed fire on the lower part of the tank. He tried in vain to disconnect the fuel hose and put out the fire.

He had two options: flee the scene while alerting others or drive the truck out of the petrol station and far away from the nearby market. Time was of the essence and thus he had to think on his feet. He chose to drive the truck thereby averting a tragedy.

For many people, running away from the site would have been the best course of action. For one, they would have saved their lives. When the truck driver jumped inside the truck, he definitely did not have his life in mind but the hundreds who would have lost theirs had the truck burst into flames at the petrol station.

Although the choices we are faced with in life are not as tough as the one the truck driver had to contend with, they are equally important. As a Christian, the most comforting thing for us is to know that even when we walk through the dark valley of death, God is close beside us and that His rod and staff protect and comfort us.
Celebrated gospel group – The Martins – aptly capture this message in the opening lines of their renowned song The Promise. It goes:

“I never said that I would give you silver or gold
Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold
But I did say you’d never walk through this world alone…”

It doesn’t matter who you are, what people say about you or your past, God is always with you and He values you more than anything else.

“Not even a sparrow, worth less than a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Mathew 10:29-31)

When you think about the hard times or when you have been faced with tasking situations, you will realise that you came out a better person. Just as it takes broken clouds to give rain, we grow by going through tough times. As someone once said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

What’s more? We are assured of victory through our faith in Jesus because He has overcome the world. In John 14:26-27, Jesus tells his disciples, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Fishing, and more so at night, is definitely not many people’s cup of tea. Yet, in Lake Victoria, when most of us are asleep, fishermen are busy battling the cold and strong winds to not only put food on their table, but on yours too.

They keep at it, night after night, it doesn’t get better but God gives them enough grace to endure the tough conditions. And I bet nothing beats the feeling of satisfaction when they go home with their catch assured that their children will not sleep hungry that night.

Truly, those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest (Psalms 126:5).

Be encouraged that God is in the process of making us better and while the tough times don’t really go away, be assured that your efforts will bear fruit in the long run.