Devotional – January 29, 2021

The words came in like a flood:

“You didn’t pass your Common Entrance Examination, this means you are going to a High School near your house, and then you will drop out because of teenage pregnancy.”

These were the negative words I heard when I went home with the results of my Common Entrance Examination. (a National Examination taken by children at the age of 10-12). You see, this was the cycle in my family; my grandmother didn’t graduate from High School because of teenage pregnancy, then my mother, who was her firstborn also didn’t graduate due to teenage pregnancy. Hence, as the firstborn for my mother, especially since I didn’t pass my examination it seemed I was destined for the same fate.

Family, relatives and perhaps onlookers assumed that the same thing would happen to me. So what do you think happened? Do you believe that their negative words were fulfilled? Journey with me to find out.

 The theme word for my testimony is “High”. The topic is: The Journey of the High Calling of God. What comes to your mind when you hear the word: “High”? I am pretty sure many things come to your mind: such as Heaven, stars, eagles. Yet, when you hear the word low, you may think: hell, ground, failure.

For me, the word “High” has had a real impact on me and is an integral part of my past, present and future. I recall a time while I attended Primary School, my parents told me:

“Do not stop to play with your friends after school, come straight home.”

One day I decided to disobey their instruction and stayed behind after school ended to play with my friends. On this day, the rain fell heavily; while running I slipped in a gutter. I was so terrified and I screamed and cried; out of nowhere came a lady who jumped into the gutter and rescued me. I will never forget this experience.

On top of going through that, when I arrived home I was spanked. The method of punishment was being spanked with the famous rubber belt on my already wet skin. Can you imagine? I could have drowned or washed away into the ocean. I am still so glad God sent the lady at the right time who came low and put me high – she rescued me.

When I think about the word: “high” in a spiritual context, I consider a Psalm of David.

“Though the Lord be exalted (“high”), yet He looks kindly on the lowly. (poor, deprived, ordinary, simple, common)

Psalm 138:6

Wow! Isn’t this awesome that the Lord God, Who is the Creator of the Universe; having the highest office possible, highly regards ordinary people. Yes He does, and Psalm 103:11-12 confirms it:

“For as the Heaven is “high” above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us”.

Psalm 103:11-12

This Scripture is the root that sustains my faith. My Journey with God began while attending High School; though I believed in Jesus as Lord, I wasn’t a confessed Christian until after graduating high school. Did I say “graduating high school? Yes I did. Oh Yes!!! God broke the curse that was pronounced over my life. I not only graduated from High School, I also attended college and graduated. And guess what? I didn’t experience teenage pregnancy. I give all glory to God for His faithfulness.

During the years before attending College, I had my first visitation from the Lord God. I had traveled to the United States and my great grandmother died in Jamaica. I wasn’t able to attend her funeral and was devastated; the grief I felt overtook me, and I wanted to die too. During that time, I encountered the Holy Spirit of God; I felt His presence like never before; I felt comforted and loved by God. This experience helped me to cope during the time I mourned my grandmother’s death. The Scriptures are true; St. Luke 1:78 states:

“Through the tender mercy of our God where by The dayspring from on “high” hath visited us.”

This visitation was a wakeup call for me… the message was clear: “It is now “high” time for me to awake out of my spiritual sleep and draw close to God. When someone comes to visit you, do you continue sleeping? No, you wake up! I was awaken to righteousness (1 Corinthians 15:34).

There is so much in God’s Word that guides my heart; this Scripture is particularly dear to me:

“And, knowing the time, that now it is “high” time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day… But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Romans 13:11-14

It is a great privilege that we can put on the Lord Jesus Christ because He came low and dwelt among us (Emanuel, God with us). We can live on a high because He is Our Defender, Our Rock, Our Bread of Life and Living Water. On my Journey with God, I am so glad to share a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, and to receive the Holy Ghost and to have the Bible as a compass; it is truly a blessing that I cherish.

My relationship with God helps me to keep me on “high” even in the lowest moments. As I face challenges and obstacles, I gain strength to bear my cross daily. As I look ahead, I look forward to experience and receive the joy even after the struggles and storms of life. What about you? Have you experienced the high calling?