Crowned from the Pit

Someone recently asked me “Do you believe in ghosts?” to which I immediately replied “Yes!” Adding to that, I also believe in God, Jesus sacrificing his life for us and his resurrection, angels, heaven & hell and of course Miracles.

People aware of my past year would agree that life hasn’t been normal in the Clements’ household and it’s been quite entertaining with drama after drama and never ending trials. We get over one ordeal and the next is already sinking in. So when Rozy & I packed our bags for what we thought would be a small break for a visa change back home to Sri Lanka, never did we think we’d reach a point where we came so close to giving up. My previous work place declined a residence visa, and days were going by in Colombo when even my visit visas were now being rejected to enter Dubai under the grounds that I was too young. Having exhausted most of my options on how to make my come back – I was left weeping in my motherland. Days soon turned to one stressed out month of how to return back to my pink home. To add to the anxiety, my Dad was admitted in hospital in Australia for a severe back bone infection.

Tears would stream down my face as I sat with my journal and Bible every day. Everything seemed so foggy. My visa status was bleak, Rozy got her visa and was now returning to Dubai, I couldn’t be with my dad while he was in hospital and I was mentally drained. One thing I clung on to – Faith in Jesus Christ. Although my options were fading – deep down inside I knew he was working something miraculous. He also surrounded angels to comfort me. Daily, my aunt, uncle and cousins lifted my spirits up. We prayed together, shared our stories of faith, quoted our fave verses and just released everything to him. One night, I let go of all my hope in man and lay it on the feet of Jesus. For the past one month God was making promises to me. The biggest one of all was that “he’d redeem me from this Pit” (Psalm 103 vs 4). He was speaking to my mom of Joseph and how he too was once in a pit. I meditated on these promises daily and started claiming them in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. I was believing that God will soon bless me with the crown of life as I was facing this very tough test (James 1:12) and knew that he would never forsake me (Hebrews 13 vs 5)

One sunny afternoon after lunch while I was deciding on what move next, an email pops up from my old work place with a brand new employment offer, contract and confirming a residence visa!! As I jumped off my bed – I confirmed the offer by phone and ran to offer praise & thanks to our wonderful Savior! Tears of joy now rolled down my cheeks and I gasped for breath as I realized I serve such a marvelous and faithful God. I felt that crown of life being placed on my head and Jesus assuring me that I’ve stood his test and come out victoriously from the Pit. His light shone when everything else in the world faded and I sensed all the promises being fulfilled and he slowly started pulling me from the depths of the earth.

Webster defines a miracle as “an event or action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to supernatural causes, esp. to an act of God”. I think it needs to be revised underlying that it is ONLY due to an act of God. There are no supernatural forces…it purely rests in the palm of God’s hands. And all we need to do is believe, have faith and lay our burdens upon the Lord. Today I stand proud; proud that I belong to him. I’ve been strengthened by the tests he put before me. Sometimes, even I find it hard to believe how I coped with the stress. But it’s simple; all I did was believed. I agree, it’s easier said than done once faced with challenges. But God won’t make you go through something you can’t handle. He knows your strengths and weaknesses. And you will be crowned with a blessed life once you overcome his tests.

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth, you will again bring me up – Psalm 71:20

I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more – Psalm 71:14

My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long – Psalm 71:8

So yes, I believe in miracles. I stand a true witness to amazing miracles and testify that Jesus Christ is my Lord & Saviour.

I know that as my Dad slowly feels better day by day, it’s because of the prayer we all offer to God in faith (James 5:15); faith that Jesus is healing Dad with his miracle hands. I see that Dad is going to play golf with his brother & son in law soon and also play “catch” with his grand daughter because that’s the vision I have received from my Glorious Master (Mark 11:24)

So be prepared for another miracle!
Blessings,
Gino