Pressing Forward: Expecting Greater Against all Odds

By Mary E Adams

Sometimes along life's journey, you may find yourself stuck in the wrong place, without any sense of direction and without adequate resources to move forward.  Upon admitting that you are lost, discouraged and uncertain about the future, you have an opportunity to cal

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Elizabeth Adams
• Release date: Nov 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734675870

Book preview

Introduction

For the past few years, growing older has been a constant reminder of the brevity of life. It is comforting and encouraging to know that God’s Word assures the faithful that creativity does not end with old age; you can expect to be fruitful. So, with the help of Holy Spirit, another book is birthed herein.

As I began writing this 10th book, once again, the endeavor is a sudden event. Since the beginning of 2020, adverse experiences have been challenging, due to many critical events. A few weeks ago, as discussions about the current Global Coronavirus Pandemic were being expressed, a friend asked if another book was planned; the initial response was Absolutely not! At any rate, the events since the beginning of this year, have been quite eventful, namely: our 50th Wedding Anniversary; NBA Star Kobe Bryant and his daughter killed in a plane accident; Joel, my brother, was critically ill and passed away on March 21st; and the Coronavirus outbreak, stay at home orders issued. Due to social distancing rules, it was difficult for a few family members to conduct or attend funeral services to celebrate Joel’s life. These emotional events, from my perspective, needed to be compartmentalized to process and continue pressing forward, and expect a greater outcome, at the end of this difficult season.

I do believe that with this divine call to minister to broker hope and to bring encouragement in critical times that hopefully, the words herein provided in this project can be encouraging and inspiring. God is in the midst of everything that is going on, even now and He is still moving by the power of Holy Spirit to fulfill His kingdom mission. In His time, there’s beauty in every season; therefore, all things are working together, for the good of those who love Him and are called for a unique purpose.

Expectation is a strong belief that something will happen, whether realistic or unrealistic, on your life’s journey. It is important to learn to be resilient, to the extent you can rebound, whenever harsh realities are confronted. In reflection, from the early years, there was an internal instinct of being dedicated, driven, and determined to press forward, expecting greater, despite difficult situations. Everyone has their own unique story in which no one else can tell because their experiences are incredibly different.

Life’s journey involves many turning points, challenges and changes that call for courage to endure the twists and turns along the way. People of faith are encouraged to keep expecting to see the glory of God revealed during seasons of trouble. There is nothing too difficult for Him; therefore, all things are possible, for those who can believe. In perspective, you can resolve to remain committed to keeping the main thing the main thing, Jesus Christ-the center of everything. Seeing circumstances from a divine perspective can help with preparing for successful endeavors, while embracing a new normal. As a diligent seeker of life’s purpose and having great expectations of achieving success, it is motivation in the pursuit of greater. During times of uncertainties and confronting problematic situations, Holy Spirit is the driving force for continuously pressing forward. The preparation process, however, takes a long time, but at the end of the day, the benefits that are received far surpass seasons of struggle. God will bring restoration whenever you choose to follow His way. Therefore, you can expect to have a long prosperous life and reap a great harvest, at the end of the day.

Bearing Fruit in Old Age

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. He has made everything beautiful in His time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:1,11)

You didn’t choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (John 15:16)

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. (Psalm 92:12-14)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)

For the past few years, growing older has been a constant reminder of the brevity of life. It is comforting and encouraging to know that God’s word assures the faithful that creativity doesn’t end with old age; therefore, you can expect to be fruitful for a long time. So, with the help of Holy Spirit, another book project is created. As I begin with this 10th book, once again, the endeavor is a sudden event, in that there were no plans to engage in another writing project. Since the beginning of 2020, experiences have been challenging, due to many critical events. A few weeks ago, as discussions about the current Global Coronavirus Pandemic were being expressed, a friend asked if another book was planned; the initial response was: Absolutely not! However, being impressed by Holy Spirit, this book is written.

After a brief period of praying about what to write, I began to reflect upon events that have occurred since the beginning of the year. Reflecting on the many things that have happened to date helped with organizing this presentation. The past six months have been quite eventful, namely: our 50th Wedding Anniversary; NBA Star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, both died in a fatal plane crash; Joel, my brother became critically ill and passed away on March 21, 2020; and the Coronavirus outbreak led to the issuing of stay at home orders. Due to the social distancing rules in place, it was challenging and difficult for a few family members to either attend or conduct a funeral service to celebrate Joel’s life.

These emotional events, in my perspective, needed to be compartmentalized to process and continue pressing forward, expecting a greater outcome at the end of this difficult season. Believing in the divine purpose to minister to broker hope and encouragement, these words are written as a ministerial