Joel 2:25 (KJV) reads, "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." This piece of scripture gives us confirmation that God can restore whatever has been taken or loss in our lives. What this scripture is also telling us is that no matter what we lose during our journey on this earth as long as we seek God's face it will be giving back to us tenfold. God's word is our daily bread. Lessons on any topic that the body of Christ may concern itself with the answers to them are in God's word (The Bible). In the world there are so many five steps to success books and self-help manuals, but none of these alternatives can do the work/or things that God can do.
The world is full of people who have lost it all due to many reasons. Substance abuse, lust, and depression run wild amongst the youth of this day. Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), has it's ills, but has been a valuable tool to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christian Apologist have made good usage of this device. Evangelizing in the streets to preaching God's word on college campuses this generation of youth needs God more than past generations.
When I read Joel 2:25 I can't help but to think of the things I lost and never received. Over the last eight years my life has been one of sacrifices and burdens. There are experiences that I never got a chance to experience. There are milestones that I didn't get a chance to achieve. There are things on my bucket list that I haven't checked off yet. A part of me feels like I will never get a chance to do as I truly desire. Despite all of the setbacks and walls I had to walk through it has been due to my relationship with God that has kept me (spiritually, mentally, and physically).
In a posture of submission and humility, Mr. Benedict is on his knees in prayer. While in prayer, Benedict is asking the Lord for forgiveness for his past deeds and profession. Tears fill his eyes and every nerve in his body is off edge. All of the obituaries of the people he alienated flash across his memory one by one. Between spoken words tongues fill in the gaps. A mighty wind fills Benedict's apartment that feels like a storm. Benedict's words start to cease and the wind consumes him. Minutes pass and although Benedict is done praying he is still on his knees sobbing. Getting up Benedict's knees are sore and buckling. Breathing in oxygen, Benedict realizes that this is the day that the Lord had made and that he should rejoice and be glad.
"Years" is what Benedict is asking God to grant him. For as long as he's giving breath in his lungs, Benedict wants to undue the wrongs he did in his past. "Years" of taking people away from their loved ones. "Years" of working for a criminal organization. "Years" he couldn't be a father to his daughter Raven. "Years" he couldn't be a husband to Lauren. What will the Lord command Mr. Matthew Benedict to do? Besides having a trade in Engineering things are looking blurry.
By himself Benedict is eating at a table in front of one of his favorite restaurants in Jerusalem, AGAPE. Full off a plate of fish and grits and a glass of red wine, Benedict is holding a picture of a then three-year-old Raven. Tears fall off his face as he comes to the realization that the past life he once lived caused a family to be divided and a child to be without a father. If Benedict keeps holding onto what will never be he will only halt himself as it concerns to what God has in store for him. If Benedict decides to keep his mind on Jesus, he will continue to mature in his faith. The only thing Benedict has to do is choose.
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