For a whole year to pass, that is, for three hundred and sixty-five days to pass us alive, is not by our own strength.
Pause, think about all those you know that lost their lives before today. For those people to have passed on to the other side while we still live, is never by our own ability.
We can or cannot count the number of funeral ceremonies we have attended yearlong. If no one attended ours, nor that of our family members, it is not our doing.
Some of them are rich; others, renowned. If money and fame could save lives, they'd never have died. But, for you and I, not so rich or so famous, to have seen the end of this year, is not by our wisdom.
Hard times came. Real hard times came. We lost. We failed. We got disappointed. We were grieved. Sometimes we got very little to eat. At other times, we slept on empty stomachs. If we didn't die after all these, fellows, it is beyond our might.
We suffered accidents, grave accidents. Others suffered similar accidents, but could not survive. Yes, this is true. We nearly died, but if we did not die after all those fierce surgical operations, it is not by our power.
Where others went and never came back, we went and came back. What others ate and did not survive, we ate and survived. Where others were rejected, we applied, and got it. It is not by our money.
We think about it and we do not understand. We ponder over it, but cannot think so far. It seems all this was, and still is, controlled by some Hand, invisible...
And yes, it is! It is by some Hand invisible, indeed. Some Hand powerful, some Hand merciful. It is controlled by some Hand loving; some Hand, impartial.
It is that Hand that has led us step by step in this year through the hardships, guarded us, and provided for us. It is God's Hand, and not by our might, our money, our wisdom, or our beauty.
It is therefore necessary, to give to Him all thanks, and all honour. Let us not give them to the sea, to trees, or to men. If we have any songs to sing, let us sing them to God.
And, if we have any things to offer, let us offer them, including our hearts, souls and bodies, to Him. For, it is by His grace we live, move, and have our being. Unto Him be all glory and honour, both now and forever more...
--Isaac Essoun
(By the grace of God)
(By the grace of God)
