2026-02-07
Genesis 1:31 NKJV
Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark and silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. As a result, Helen became the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,” she wrote, “or sailed to an uncharted land.” The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture: “Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the spirit of God pronouncing His works good.” If God’s Spirit is within you, optimism is the order of the day. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses.
Helen Keller proved that with an optimistic spirit, even the most difficult of circumstances cannot define you. And even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. She proved that as amazing as the human eye is, there’s something more amazing – the mind’s eye that enables us to imagine the unthinkable and believe the impossible. It’s why she said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Or as Paul put it: “Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NCV). In other words, be optimistic.
Soul food: Num 30:1-32:24; Luke 8:40-56; Ps 125; Prov 4:3-4
Genesis 1:31 NLV
Helen Keller het voor die ouderdom van twee haar sig en gehoor verloor. In ‘n oomblik het haar wêreld donker en stil geword. Later het ‘n onderwyseres genaamd Anne Sullivan egter deur Helen se eensame opsluiting gebreek en haar siel aangeraak. Helen het gevolglik die eerste dowe/blinde persoon geword wat ‘n baccalaureusgraad verwerf het. Sy het ook ‘n dosyn boeke geskryf, insluitend ‘n manifes oor haar lewensfilosofie, getiteld ‘Optimism’.
‘Geen pessimis het al ooit die sterre se geheime ontdek,’ het sy geskryf, ‘of na ‘n onbekende land geseil nie.’ Die laaste bladsy van haar boek weerspieël die eerste bladsy van die Skrif: ‘Optimisme is die mens se gees en die gees van God wat in harmonie sy werke in elke opsig goed verklaar.’ As God se Gees binne-in jou is, is optimisme aan die orde van die dag. Optimisme is nie in stryd met die werklikheid rondom ons nie. Dit beteken eenvoudig dat ons in ‘n ander werklikheid geanker is – die kruisiging en opstanding van Jesus Christus – wat dieper en sterker en langer as die werklikheid wat ons met ons vyf sintuie kan waarneem, is.
Helen Keller het bewys dat selfs die moeilikste omstandighede jou nie kan definieer wanneer jy ‘n optimistiese gees het nie. Selfs al kan jy nie jou omstandighede verander nie, kan jy dit oorkom. Dit is hoekom sy gesê het: ‘Die enigste ding wat erger is as om blind te wees, is om sig te hê, maar geen visie nie.’ Of soos Paulus dit gestel het: ‘Ten slotte, liewe broers en susters, beplan alles wat waar, eerbaar, skoon, suiwer, lieflik en lofwaardig is’ (Filippense 4:8 NLV). Met ander woorde, wees optimisties.
Sielskos: Num 30:1-32:24; Luk 8:40-56; Ps 125; Spr 4:3-4
2026-02-06
Romeine 12:10 NLV
Het jy al ooit opgemerk hoe vinnig ons iemand anders van gedrag wat ons in onsself verskoon beskuldig? Deur dit te doen, oefen ons ‘n dubbele standaard uit en vereis ons meer van ander as van onsself. Jesus het gesê: ‘En hoe sien jy die splintertjie in jou medemens se oog raak, maar merk jy die yslike stomp in jou eie oog nie op nie?’ (Matteus 7:3 NLV). Die dubbele standaard werk as volg:
1) Wanneer jou buurvrou nie van jou vriendin hou nie, is sy bevooroordeeld – maar wanneer jy nie van haar vriendin hou nie, is dit omdat jy mense se karakters goed kan beoordeel.
2) Wanneer sy probeer om iemand besonder goed te behandel, is sy besig om te dweep – maar wanneer jy dit doen, is jy net bedagsaam.
3) Wanneer sy lank neem om iets te doen, is sy lui – maar wanneer jy dit doen, is jy noukeurig.
4) Wanneer sy baie geld spandeer, is sy roekeloos en ongedissiplineerd – maar wanneer jy dieselfde ding doen, is jy vrygewig.
5) Wanneer sy foute uitwys, is sy krities – maar wanneer jy dit doen, is jy insigryk.
6) Wanneer sy saggeaard is, noem jy haar swak – maar wanneer jy is, is jy genadig.
7) Wanneer sy mooi aantrek, is sy uitspattig – maar wanneer jy dit doen, is jy elegant en stylvol.
8) Wanneer sy sê wat sy dink, is sy venynig – maar wanneer jy dit doen, is jy eerlik.
9) Wanneer sy risiko’s neem, is sy roekeloos – maar wanneer jy dit doen, is jy dapper.
Paulus het geskryf: ‘As broers en susters in God se huisgesin moet julle mekaar in liefde koester en voor in die ry staan om mekaar met respek te hanteer.’ Die woord vir vandag is dus: Koester mekaar in liefde.
Sielskos: Num 27-29; Luk 8:26-39; Ps 67; Spr 4:1-2
Romans 12:10 NKJV
Have you ever noticed how quick we are to accuse someone else of some of the very things we excuse in ourselves? In so doing, we practice a double standard, requiring more from others than of ourselves. Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NKJV). The double standard works like this:
1) When others are set in their ways, they’re obstinate – but you are firm and resolved.
2) When your neighbour doesn’t like your friend, she’s prejudiced – but when you don’t like her friend, you’re a good judge of character.
3) When she tries to treat someone especially well, she’s buttering them up – but when you do so, you’re being thoughtful.
4) When she takes time to do things well, she’s lazy – but when you do so, you’re meticulous.
5) When she spends a lot, she’s reckless and undisciplined – but when you do the same thing, you’re generous.
6) When she picks flaws in things, she’s critical – but when you do, you’re perceptive.
7) When she’s mild-mannered, you call her weak – but when you are, you’re gracious.
8) When she dresses well, she’s extravagant – but when you do, you’re tastefully in style.
9) When she says what she thinks, she’s spiteful – but when you do, you’re being honest.
10) When she takes risks, she’s foolhardy – but when you do, you’re brave. Paul wrote: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.” So, the word for you today is: Let us honour one another.
Soul food: Num 27-29; Luke 8:26-39; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
2026-02-05
Galatians 6:4 MSG
Paul wrote: “Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (vv. 4-5). Jesus was insistent on this. After the resurrection, He appeared to some of His followers. He gave Peter a specific pastoral assignment that included great sacrifice. Peter responded by pointing at John and asking, “‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me'” (John 21:21-22 NCV). In other words, stay focused on your own assignment.
A little boy named Adam wanted to be like his friend Bobby. Adam loved the way Bobby walked and talked. Bobby, however, wanted to be like Charlie. Something about Charlie’s stride and accent intrigued him. Charlie, on the other hand, was impressed with Danny. Charlie wanted to look and sound like him. Danny, of all things, had a hero as well: Adam. He wanted to be just like Adam. So, Adam was imitating Bobby, who was imitating Charlie, who was imitating Danny, who was imitating Adam. It turns out that all Adam needed to do was to be himself!
You can learn from others, but you can only find joy and fulfillment in being who God created you to be. So stay in your own lane. Run your own race. Nothing good happens when you compare and compete. Furthermore, God will not evaluate and reward you according to the talents of others, but according to how faithful you were with the gifts He gave you. You are not responsible for the nature of your gifts, but for how you use them.
Soul food: Num 25-26; Luke 8:16-25; Ps 120; Prov 3:33-35
