Move Beyond Transit Points

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians Chapter 3 verses 10 to 15

Transit points are connecting points to your final destination. No matter how beautiful, how comfortable, how appealing a transit point is, it should never be celebrated and accepted as the final destination. This is because a transit point does not contain all the blessings God packaged for you in your final destination no matter how seemingly pleasant and comfortable it may be. It is only a transit point designed to cushion the limitations and challenges as well as some of the deprivations that come your way as you journey to your final destination.

Some transit points are usually not comfortable. Thank God for such transit points as they remind you of the need to proceed to your final destination. However, the very pleasant transit points can make a person forget the final destination and remain at the transit point, complacent and unwilling to move forward. This was what happened to Issachar.  Please see Genesis Chapter 49 verses 14 to 15. He settled at a transit point and became a band of slaves. This calls for great caution to keep moving forward at every point in time.

Every transit point has bundles of challenges that could mar or make the journey to the final destination. Jesus’ earthly ministry was a transit point; to accomplish the redemption of humanity and freedom from the captivity of the devil.

Enhance Your Brand 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Grooming, cleanliness, personal hygiene, dressence, beauty enhancements, are also components of enhancing your brand. To be clean, to smell good and look good are all processes that lead up to brand enhancement. Cleanliness and dressing up are therefore critical to brand enhancement.

Esther is described as lovely and beautiful - having a good figure and beautiful face (Esther Chapter 7 verse 9) yet when she entered for the search for a queen contest, she also partook of the prescribed beauty treatments for twelve months – six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women (Esther Chapter 2 verses 3, 9 to 12, 15).

Ruth was Naomi’s daughter in-law. She came with Naomi from Moab and was gleaning to feed herself and her mother in-law. Naomi was concerned about the future of Ruth and decided to take advantage of a Jewish custom that benefited widows so Ruth could remarry within the family. So she advised Ruth on what to do.

All the while Ruth had been gleaning in the fields of Boaz, she was not properly groomed and dressed to attract the attention of Boaz in the way a potential bride should be. Therefore, Naomi instructed Ruth to shower and to be clean and free of grime, oils and sweat and dirt smells which cling and throw off  foul unpleasant smells that drive people away; apply cream that is oils to soften her skin and make her skin glow, attractive and appealing and people will want to touch and feel it; apply perfume for a more pleasant smell that will screen off any possible sweat smell after her walk to the threshing floor. Ruth was also advised to put on her best gown; dress well, dress up. Why? To enhance her brand as the best bride that Boaz could have. Already, Boaz was impressed by her devotion to Naomi as well as her care for Naomi. The additional beauty touches would be additional pleasant seasonings to an already delicious pudding.