I greet you all in the name of our Almighty Jesus Christ. As we approach the end of yet another year, we have a lot to thank God for. Thanksgiving time prompts us to reflect on the blessings received and share our gratitude with those who make our lives meaningful. I believe thanksgiving is also a time to take stock of what has gone on in our lives. As much as it is time for changing seasons, we too grow and change from one season of life to another.
But most importantly we need to stop and meditate on what Scripture is saying about giving thanks for the good that surrounds us all. Psalms 107:1 says “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good His steadfast love endures forever”
Let me endeavour to mention some of the life changing events over the past year that I need to stop and praise, and give thanks to God. .Firstly I want to let God know how grateful I am that I was elected World President of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women for the next four years, What a great honour!!!!. Thank you, all my sisters, for your kind words of encouragement and well wishes. Most of your messages indeed warmed my heart and l felt humbled. I am thankful for the team that I am working with and the individual skills and expertise they bring to the team. I believe this as an opportunity for me to enrich my Life and embrace the love that I will receive from you all. I will continue to value and respect your opinions for the benefit of the Federation. I pray that God will give me the wisdom to lead with honour, dignity and integrity.
One of the most profound ways to express our gratitude to God is by serving others in His Name. We also thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on our lives. We are surrounded by people who always support us. Blessings of family and friends, good health and wisdom. God has provided us with more than we could imagine.
Throughout the past couple of years, we have relied heavily upon each other’s support as we suffered as a community, a nation and as a world due to the Covid 19 pandemic. We asked for strength from God during these difficult times and indeed He made us strong, for that we are grateful.
We are grateful to God for keeping us safe and loved. Let’s thank God for watching over our friends and families with His tender loving care. We ask God to give us the ability and sense to show Him how much these things matter to our lives. In addition, help us show and give the same acts of kindness and love to others.
The world is full of hunger and poverty. As a family of believers and Federation women, lets give thanks to God when we have food to eat and a home with our families.During this thanksgiving time let’s not forget the homeless and jobless among our community. Let’s all be concerned enough to be compassionate James 2:17 reminds us that faith by itself if its not accompanied by action is dead
We thank God for creating the world and thank Him for his unfailing wonders and regular return of day and night and all the seasons. We must ask God to help us look after His planet as he bestowed dominion over all creation to us (Genesis 1:28)
We thank God for giving us peace in our mind, body and spirit and true happiness in life. We pray for countries like Ukraine and Russia who are currently in conflict. We remember all the displaced families all over the world in our prayers. Let’s ask the loving Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to hear our plea for His divine intervention and restow peace and harmony in these war-torn countries.
Lastly as we give thanks for everything God has blessed us with in 2022, Let’s not forget to walk into all places with infectious joy and love, whatever the situation we find ourselves in. Let’s continue to invite each other and share struggles, afflictions honesty and remind each other that we have many reasons to give praise and thanks to God in everyday God has made. Fellow Sisters Let us Go and Bear Fruit, not just Fruit BUT Fruit that will Last!!!!
Sipiwe Chisvo
World President 2022-2026
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