JUNE: A MONTH OF REFLECTION (Friend, So Far, How Far?)

It's been a while now: six months ago since the year began. There are six other months ahead to be spent, and then, this year will finally end. At the end thereof, we shall assess our lives. But even before we get there, there are assessments to do - assessment of vows and plans we made from the beginning, assessment of goals ahead, assessment of self...

I call June 'a month of reflection'. But in what sense? I mean reflection of the past. Now half of the year is gone. We said we will do a lot of things - a lot of projects for ourselves, our families, and our nation. We said by this time of the year we must have made some achievements. We said we must have enriched our bank accounts with certain sums of dollars... But, how far?

Have we made the achievements? Are we halfway through? Are we progressing? Are we retrogressing? Are we at a standstill? What is wrong? Maybe nothing is wrong. Maybe something is wrong. What is the cause? Are we the cause? Is someone or something else the cause?  What are we doing about it? Friend, this is what I mean by REFLECTION.

Just look back. Look around you. Look within you. Think deeply. Try to remember the zeal and hope you began the year with. The resolution, the promises, the passion. Is it the same now? It seems to have waned a little, perhaps. Therefore there is the need for a rekindle. There is the need for a change of plans, strategy, or a change of attitude...

Laziness, nonchalance, indecisiveness, pessimism, despair, hatred, greed, drunkenness, theft, meanness, ingratitude, disrespect, pride, riotous living, impatience, dishonesty, prayerlessness, bad friendship, corruption... If we have seen any or many of these in our lives, then that is the problem! Therefore there is the need of  a change of attitude.

We need to hope, love and work hard. We need to focus on the goals we set. There may have been disappointments and other setbacks. Let us lay them aside, and fight on. Let us not leave God out. That would be deadly. Let us gather some hope, and finish the journey ahead. We are able. We can achieve the rest. God is our strength. This year will end well. Amen.

ISAAC ESSOUN
(By God's grace)