It is a new month, the second one of the year. Time seems to be really flying. I want to be positive this month and face it with courage. Now, the future is one of the biggest complex mysteries of life. If you are approaching or are in your mid-30s or older, chances are, you are not anywhere near where you wanted to be ten years ago. You could be better off or deterred a long time into something completely different.

Anyway, I would not be extremely sure I am just 20 something and for me, life is yet to begin. The dreams and goals I had ten years ago for myself are no longer true or relevant, as I have had to make a lot of adjustments to suit new realities. When I look back 10 years ago, I was in upper primary school and nothing made me happier than the thought that I would one day be a forensic psychologist; just the name itself made my heart beat a little bit faster. It sounded grand just like myself. I would have never known that I would have ventured into communication and journalism, which I love so much by the way.

Just as most of us when in high school, seem to have, our entire future planned out ahead of us. Done with university at 23, engaged at 25, married at 27, and the first baby at 28. At least most people had it planned out like this but you soon realize that you are 29 and single. However, life happens.

There was a period in the last few years I thought I had stagnated in life. I was still stuck in that misplaced youthful zeal, that I would never grow old. However, here I am on the verge of almost graduating university and this is making me realize that I am growing older, that lifestyle diseases may catch up with me, that maybe I need to start working out, that life is catching up with me.

It is all about growth, but that is physical growth. There is mental and spiritual growth. People never deliberately mature up. Tough choices in life make people grow up. The loss of a loved one, lack of employment, losing your job, marital issues among many others. Moreover, reality is a wild ogre. Sometimes he claws you from your fantasies leaving you battered.

We all do not know where we will be in ten years from now. Could be better off or worse off. However, as a Christian a verse that resonates deeply is Romans 8:28: “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose(NIV). The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans, which many consider the richest theological treatise in Scripture.

He begins chapter 8 by discussing the differences between living by the Spirit and living by the flesh. He points out that living by the Spirit makes us sons and daughters of God. The promise of Romans 8:28 that God works for our good “in all things” is reassuring. It means that no matter the circumstance, there are only two qualifiers for God to be working all things together for our good.

First, He works for “the good of those who love Him.” If you love God, you can trust that He is working for your good. He loves you back, and when we love people, we seek for their welfare. Second, He works for “those who are called according to His purpose.” God has called us for a purpose. In fact, the wording of this verse suggests that these two qualifiers, loving God and experiencing His call are actually one. Those who love God are called to His purpose and vice versa

Today I continue to see God working things together for my good. I am studying something I enjoy and love but I am more grateful to be able to use my education to serve Him and talk about His goodness. In the next few years, I might be able to venture into forensic psychology. All good things in God’s timing.

Today, take a moment and thank God, that He is working all things together for your good, even in circumstances, where you cannot yet see the result.

Have a reflective day, won’t you?