When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a singer and a band leader đđ. Childhood dreams are always fun, but life has a way of redirecting our dreams. I am honored to do what I do today.
Month: March 2025
Lessons from Genesis 34: The Cost of Uncontrolled Emotions
At the start of the new year, I made a promise to myself to study the Bible all over again, as I have often tried to do. This time, however, I find the book of Genesis more engaging and enriching to study. In years past, I gave up in the middle but thank God for His goodness and graceâthis year feels different.
As I read through chapter 34, verses 26â29 stood out to me. Within those verses, I observed the significant consequences of uncontrolled emotions from two camps. Let me provide some context: God instructed Jacob to return to Bethel (Genesis 32â33), but instead, he settled in Shechem with his family. In this city, his daughter Dinah was tragically molested by a local prince, the very man the city was named after. This act enraged two of Jacobâs sons, Simeon and Levi, as Dinah was their sister and Leah’s daughter.
Following this grievous event, Shechem had the audacity to request Dinahâs hand in marriage. In response, Simeon and Levi devised a deceptive plan that ultimately led to the eradication of all the men in the city. Interestingly, in Genesis 34:19, Shechem is described as “a good man.” I struggled with this phraseâhow could a man who committed such a heinous and disrespectful act be labeled as good? Upon reflection, I realized that Shechem allowed his impulses to override his judgment. Perhaps he was a good man who made a terrible choice out of selfishness, without regard for how his actions would affect others. Tragically, that decision led to the destruction of an entire city.
But did Jacob’s sons overreact? While their anger was justifiable, their actions were excessive. The punishment did not fit the crime. Their uncontrolled fury and disproportionate response brought guilt and murder upon God’s chosen peopleâpeople who were meant to live in holiness before Him.
The lesson I gleaned from this chapter, and one I hope you take away as well, is this: our decisions affect others profoundly. Let us strive to pause and reflect before we act, ensuring that our choices are guided by wisdom, consideration, and Godâs teachings.
Shalom,
Iamsosasmama â¤ď¸
Staying in Your Lane: Embracing Your God-Given Assignment with Intentionality and Grace
Continuing with the study we recently concluded in my church’s women’s Bible study, another takeaway of mine is the importance of knowing and staying in my lane. We see this beautifully illustrated in the lives of two great Apostles, each with their own flaws and imperfections, yet each called to distinct assignments. Apostle Peter was called to minister to the Jews, while Apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles.
These men had remarkable and complicated pastsâPeter, a devout Jewish rule follower, and Paul, similarly zealous but with a twist: he once persecuted and killed Christ’s followers. Despite these shortcomings, they approached their callings with intentionality and strategic focus. They remained faithful to their unique missions, never stepping into each other’s roles or trying to accomplish what was not theirs to do. They understood their purpose and embraced it wholeheartedly.
Let me pause here and ask you, my dear reader: Do you know what you have been called to do? How are you walking in that calling? Or have you perhaps found yourself swept up in the mindset of the “I can do all things” crowd? Let me clarifyâwhile it is true that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, this does not mean we are called to do everything or be everything for everyone.
Discover your God-given assignment, approach it with the same intentionality as the Apostles, and carry it out prayerfully. As I write this, I remind myself of the same truth. I know I cannot do or be everything for everyone, but I can trust God to guide my steps and align them with His plan for my life. By His grace, I pray we will fulfill our calling.
Shalom,
Iamsosasmamaâ¤ď¸
Redeemed for a Purpose: Lessons from Peterâs Journey
In our recently concluded womenâs Bible study, a phrase stood out to me in a way it hadnât beforeâdespite having heard it multiple times. Itâs the idea that when we come to know God, He doesnât change our personality. Instead, He redeems it, transforming it for His kingdomâs purpose and glory.
Examples of this truth abound in the Bible, especially in the lives of Peter and Paul. But my focus here is Peter, the subject of our study for the past six weeks. Peter, as many Bible readers know, was famously impulsive. For those of us who identify as impulsive, we may find his story especially relatable.
Before Peterâs denial of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels, he often acted without thinking. He would ask bold questions that no one else dared to, speak before processing, and act on raw emotion. He was essentially ruled by his curiosity and feelings. Yet, this same Peter was chosen by Jesus to lead His church and pioneer the post-resurrection movement of faith. What others may have viewed as a flawâor what Peter himself might have seen as a burdenâJesus saw as a strength. This is evident in Jesusâ prayer for Peter to withstand the devilâs schemes (Luke 22:31-34).
After Peterâs denial of Jesus, followed by his heartfelt repentance, we see a shift in his demeanor. His redeemed personality became evident. No longer reactive but obedient, Peter was quick to follow instructions, as seen when he responded without hesitation to the vision in Acts 10. Similarly, when an angel supernaturally freed him from prison, Peter didnât argue or question (Acts 12). These moments demonstrate how Peterâs impulsivity and boldness were transformed into tools for Godâs glory.
The key takeaway for me from this study is that God doesnât call us to become someone entirely different. Instead, He seeks to redeem even the parts of us we might find frustratingâor that others might find off-putting. For His kingdom, nothing is wasted. So, I am inspired to draw closer to God, embracing my flaws and trusting that all of me is redeemable in His hands. I encourage you to take time to study Peterâs life and see how his story might resonate with you.
Shalom,
iamsosasmama â¤ď¸
Hey Lovely,
I usually try to keep my Fridays intentionally light but today turned out to be unexpectedly busy. Iâm not complainingâIâm deeply grateful for the work I get to do. That being said, Iâm feeling pretty mentally drained and found myself struggling to come up with something to blog about. So instead, I decided to share a song with you that resonated deeply with me the first time I heard it. You know that feeling when something or someone seems to perfectly express whatâs been on your mind? Thatâs exactly what this song did for meâit felt like someone had reached into my thoughts and turned them into music. I hope it speaks to you as much as it did to me. Let me know what you think!
Shalom,
Iamsosasmama â¤ď¸
OCHIENGfamily 