By the Numbers

By Brenda Black

“This reading was composed for you personally. It is based on your full name at birth, your date of birth, and the name you now use to introduce yourself...Your Personal Numerology Reading describes all aspects of your chart as they are understood in numerology, accurately and in-depth.”

I naively succumbed to the invitation to have “my numbers run.” I had no idea what numbers or what they were running from, so I stepped up to a very safe looking man and answered three simple questions. His little laptop then spewed out an eight page run down of my life! The soft-spoken facilitator neatly assembled the report between polypropylene sheet protectors, complete with red plastic binder. I shoved them into my satchel and decided I'd read it later when I needed something to put me to sleep.

Jammie clad and ready for bed later that night, I pulled the slightly crinkled notebook out for inspection. The first section summarized my “Life Path” and declared that even at the moment of birth, I came with my own unique character, as unique as my DNA. All my potential was already in place. Next it outlined my “Expression.” My number of destiny intended to reveal my physical and mental constitution, representing my lifelong target. This is where the talent and abilities and shortcomings were detailed. Finally, this little road map of my life claimed to know my “Heart's Desire.” With three trivial pieces of information, I was supposed to believe that my abilities, my direction in life and my innermost longings would be spilled onto a page.

I read the report and was astonished! Every little detail described me with shocking accuracy! My first thought: That's uncanny. My second was a rapid, memorized rundown of promises from Psalm 139: “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me...you are familiar with all my ways...you knit me together...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

As the report clearly predicted I would do, I immediately began to analyze the unbelievable accuracy based on such little input I had provided this algorithmic computer program that nailed me! All I could come up with was God. I had no urge to suddenly put all my trust into some new age philosophy and build my life around predictions and hocus-pocus meditations. I didn't want to start searching the stars for direction. I simply stopped and worshiped the amazing, all-knowing Creator who “knit me together.” How cool that He designs us, then calls us to tasks in life for which we are artistically crafted and equipped! How comforting that He knows our deepest longings, long before we even know them ourselves.

Each of us is born for a purpose! Each comes into the world with tendencies and natural gifts intended to glorify God. But you don't need anyone to run your numbers to discover God's will for your life. The One who authors life itself has all the answers; He formed your inmost being. You are invaluable to Him. “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30)

Chances are, you already know yourself pretty well. But are you living in such a way that your strengths glorify God and your weaknesses are surrendered to His authority? Are you tapping into the great possibilities He placed within you? Are you asking God which way to go and what to do? Praise God for His patent on your life. You are fearfully and wonderfully made to live up to your God-given potential!

Appropriately, it is in Numbers 6:24-26 where the Lord teaches Moses how to bless His children. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” From the beginning, and forevermore, the Lord just wants to shine in your life and bless you.

If you are still counting, there is a singularly important fact upon which you can base your life and know true peace. It is that there is only ONE Christ! “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Live by that number and you'll know everything you need to know to reach your full potential!

An Honest Outlook

By Brenda Black

Opinions ricochet across the globe, zinging prophecies concerning 2012. Some volley good year predictions while others warn of pending doom. Economic upswing or more market plummets? Depends on who you ask. Global peace? Depends on where you live.

“Syria's government-owned Al-Thawrah says people across the country 'look forward to a new year full of hope and optimism,'” the BBC reports. But that same article, published Jan. 2, goes on to quote political analyst Wang Honggang from a statement published by China's Guangzhou Ribao newspaper. In it he predicts that "the global chain of unrest symbolized by the 'Arab Spring', 'Europe Summer', 'Wall St Autumn' and 'Moscow Winter' will continue to brew and trigger a series of follow-up effects,” making 2012 "more complex and unpredictable" than 2011.

Here at home, the reviews are just as mixed. If you listen long enough, you'll hear both hope and fear, sometimes in the same breath. I've ventured such conflicting emotions myself – especially when I analyze the next generation and their outlook.

I'm hopeful when I spend time with some young friends who are bright and articulate; moral and purpose-driven. They talk of community service and faith and friendship. They love to laugh and they aren't afraid of work. And then, I feel nauseous when I hear of the crass and ignorant rants from people who desecrate property and damn society, blaming everyone but themselves for their own circumstance. Hope and fear. Help and hindrance. Honor and disrespect. That's the difference in the next generation – and when we each look in the mirror at ourselves.

For the record, those who scream “We are the 99%” are not speaking for me! And last time I checked, I sure didn't fit financially into the remaining 1%. If you're like me, you can't identify with such polarized pigeon holes either. Around these parts, we don't lump ourselves into radical movements crying foul and expecting hand outs. Nor do we put buckets on our heads and pretend everything is perfect. We just do the best we can with what we have, which, for the record, we earned the hard way.

I don't have any grand predictions for 2012. Only the Lord knows what is certain in the months ahead. I know I can't afford $5 gas that some are forecasting and I don't think our nation can afford another four years of misguided management. I do know that America is in jeopardy and if we want to get through 2012, we better get on our knees starting now! But my plea is not rooted in fear. It's founded in belief. I believe there is a better way, a higher road, and I will always choose hope over fear and God's wisdom over my own intelligence. And I'll thank Him for every glimpse of decency, civility and morality I discover in fellow humanity.

There is hope this year if you look for it. There is hope this year if you will be it.

copyright 2012 - The Word's Out- Brenda Black