About the #Goals every #Christian should have
Beloved brethren, hear the words that pour forth from the wisdom of God, the wellspring of life, the teachings that bind the soul to its true purpose. Let us speak, as one illumined by the grace of our Lord, on the goals that every Christian must hold, not as fleeting thoughts but as divine purposes etched upon the heart. For the life of a Christian is not a life lived in the shadows of the world, but in the light of eternity, aimed at heaven, where the glory of God awaits those who walk the narrow way. What, then, should be the goals that a Christian heart cherishes, pursues, and accomplishes? Let us unfold these truths, as the Lord has revealed them to us, that we may live according to His holy will.
1. The Inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven
The chief goal of every Christian, beloved, is nothing less than the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven. For what are we if not pilgrims in a foreign land, moving ever onward toward our eternal home? “If our earthly dwelling, which is a tent, is destroyed,” says the Apostle, “we know that we have a building made by God in heaven, which is not made with hands, but an eternal house” (2 Corinthians 5:1). We are not here for the satisfaction of temporal needs alone, but we walk through this world to gain that which is imperishable. Let your hearts not be captivated by the fleeting pleasures and sufferings of this life, but fix your eyes on the heavenly kingdom where Christ awaits to crown those who endure in faith. For this is the true treasure, the only treasure worth pursuing, where “moth and rust do not destroy” (Matthew 6:19).
2. A Clear and Defined Purpose
A Christian does not wander aimlessly through life. No, beloved, we do not drift like leaves upon the wind, tossed by every desire or whim. Our purpose is clear, illuminated by the light of God’s will. We are called to live with intention, to walk in the paths laid before us by Christ Himself. We do not speak of chance or coincidence, for our lives are governed by the providence of God. To this end, we must pray unceasingly, that our steps may align with His will: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). How can we claim to follow Christ if we do not seek His guidance at every turn? Pray, therefore, for strength to fulfill the divine purpose, that your life may reflect the certainty and steadfastness of one called by God.
3. Self-Disclosure: Bearing Witness to Christ
A Christian does not hide their identity, for a city set on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). Wherever we go, we must reveal who we are—not through empty words or proclamations, but through the very manner of our lives. We are Christians, and this must be evident in our homes, our places of work, and in the wider community. Let our lives shine with the light of Christ so that others may see and glorify our Father in heaven. It is not enough to profess faith with our lips; our actions, our demeanor, and our love must speak even louder. Thus, our goal is to be a living testimony, to carry Christ with us wherever we go, that others may see and believe.
4. Loyalty and Integrity
What is a Christian if not one who stands firm in truth and loyalty? We are not to be found wavering, betraying trust, or breaking our word. Loyalty is the bedrock of Christian life. As Christ said, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). Whether in marriage, in work, or in any responsibility placed upon us, we must be trustworthy. Consider Joseph, who, though tempted and betrayed, did not falter but remained loyal to his God (Genesis 39:9). Let your life be marked by such steadfastness, for it is this loyalty that God rewards with greater responsibilities in His eternal kingdom.
About the Ethiopian #New_Year #2017
Beloved brethren, let us gather and contemplate upon the wondrous mystery and profound significance of the Ethiopian New Year, a celebration that bears not only the passage of time but a reflection of divine providence, spiritual renewal, and the unfolding of God’s sacred plan in our lives. As we journey through the intricacies of this holy occasion, let our hearts be stirred, our minds enlightened, and our souls rekindled with the fervor of repentance and the promise of spiritual regeneration.
The Mark of Time and the Changing of Eras
The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, is more than a mere date on the calendar; it is the symbolic changing of eras, an event deeply rooted in both natural and divine order. This day of transition is called the Day of Saint John, a name filled with spiritual resonance, as it is John the Baptist who heralded the coming of the Messiah, standing at the crossroads of the Old and New Covenants. As the changemaker and the bearer of the prophetic voice crying out in the wilderness, the day bears his name, for it marks not only a temporal shift but the calling of the soul towards repentance and renewal.
In the Ethiopian tradition, this festival is also called the Head of the Geez Year, recognizing its place as the very inception of the year’s cycle. It is celebrated on the first day of Meskerem, the first month of the Ethiopian calendar, which corresponds with the month of September in the Gregorian calendar. But why, we might ask, is the New Year celebrated on this day?
September: The Month of New Beginnings
The answer lies in both celestial and sacred order. In Ethiopia, September is the month when the lights of the heavens — the sun, moon, and stars — complete their annual cycle. The month of Pagume, the last of the year, closes with the alignment of these heavenly bodies, and with the dawn of September, the balance between day and night is restored. On the first of Meskerem, the day and night are equal, each lasting twelve hours, reflecting a perfect harmony that mirrors the ordered cosmos. The year, measured according to the divine structure, totals 364 days, with this moment of equilibrium ushering in a new beginning.
The Biblical Foundations of the New Year
The Ethiopian New Year is not simply a seasonal festival, but a day that reverberates with biblical significance. As the book of Enoch declares, "He created the sun and the moon and the stars to be the identity of the times" (Enoch 21:49). This heavenly order is not random but divinely ordained, a signpost of God’s sovereignty over time and creation.
Moreover, the New Year is linked to the flood of Noah, that cataclysmic event which purged the earth of its sin. It is recorded in the ancient texts, "In the first month the earth appeared, and the waters of the river dried up from the earth" (Kufale 7:1). It was in this first month, Meskerem, that the waters receded, revealing the land anew — a fitting metaphor for the renewal we experience at the dawn of a new year. Just as the earth was cleansed, so too are we called to begin afresh, to be washed of the sins of the past and emerge renewed in spirit.
The Evangelists and the Cycle of Time
In the wisdom of the Ethiopian Church, the passing of time is also measured according to the four evangelists — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each evangelist is associated with a particular era in the divine narrative of salvation. As scholars of the Church explain, Matthew's era marks the conception of Christ, Mark's era His baptism, Luke's era His crucifixion, and John's era the culmination of His eternal reign.
To determine which era governs the present year, the faithful add the Year of Mercy (our current year) to the Year of Condemnation (5500, marking the years from Adam to Christ) and divide the sum by four. The remainder reveals the evangelist of the era:
- If the remainder is zero, it is John’s era.
- If one, it is Matthew’s era.
- If two, it is Mark’s era.
- If three, it is Luke’s era.