Doing this last installment has made me quite reflective. When you pause long enough to process 12 months and all the highs and lows, praise will rise from your lips. I can see God in the details – every step of the way. Well, lets land this.

10. Give Thyself Wholly

If you will do anything, then do it with your whole heart and mind. I agree, some of these will be what I call “Thankless Tasks”. Just give yourself wholly. When I reflected on this verse in 1 Tim 4:15, (here you will find it in many translations so dig in) I noticed a few things: The Word is commanding us to give total dedication to what He has placed in our hands – not the half baked, barely visible, hardly working attitude. No.. Full dedication – like what we say in Kiswahili – “Kujituma” – loosely translated “To Send Oneself”! There were assignments that just felt overwhelming and burdensome and because of that, I will be honest and tell you it took all of me to get it done. In hindsight, thankless as they were, I grew in the process.

And that the other thing about giving myself wholly – you grow – your progress will be evident. We all joke about how gyms are full in January… everyone is on the floor! But it is the consistent ones who see progress after 4 weeks, 6 weeks etc. We all start off with a reading list – 10 books this year. Wuehhh.. by March, book 1 is still unopened! By the way, 2025 did a number on me guys. I did not finish a single book. Yoh!? But as you give yourself wholly, the compound effect gives you a reward.

Therefore, whichever the case – give yourself 150%. I love the song Jesu by Eunice Njeri, especially where she urges us to dance “Kabisaaa!”. So, Jitume Kabisaa….. At a personal level, I know that if I had applied the same attitude to all I needed to do, I would be very far. So – this gem is being carried over intentionally into 2026 – I will give myself wholly. In all fronts of my life – physical, spiritual, financial, intellectual and social. Some thoughts:

a. Make the list of areas you flopped in – once you know the gaps, you are half way there.

b. Determine what needs to change to ensure a better outcome – also, you will need to get over that “meh..” feeling very fast to move into action. Otherwise, you will just nurse emotions that will not push you in the right direction.

c. Do it – not just plan it, dream it and write it – No…. Do the Do. Otherwise we shall be here in December 2026 nursing regret.

11. Don’t Forget to Remember

The Bee Gees sang that song – yes I know them. I don’t live on the 4th Rock from the Sun please.

But on a serious note, there were moments in 2025 when I willed myself to remember. Ahh – don’t get the wrong idea please. You remember how in the last part I mentioned the high highs that can get you off track, and that you need to remain focused? Yes. In the highs and lows, it is very easy to forget who you are, what you are about, and whose you are. In those moments – don’t forget to remember that:

a. You are a Child of God – and that comes with its privileges and expectations. He will keep you as the apple of His eye, but He will also demand that you do all for His glory.

b. You are called for a purpose – that purpose will sometimes take you through the leeward side of mountain before you face the windward side. He never promised days without rain, He simply promised to walk with you through all the seasons. So trust Him – not the process, yes?

c. You are loved – I remember many years ago, I was facing the monstrous battle called low self esteem. Teenage was cruel to me guys. Wuehh…Anyway, one fine day we were in Nakuru with my parents as my Dad was preaching to Businessmen – He was in the Businessmen’s Fellowship those days. So after the seminars, we went to visit a family and I was somewhere in the house listening to music with the daughter of that home. That previous term had really done me in and I was lost. The song I Have Loved You by Kent Henry was playing on the cassette (Gen Z please google this). And in that moment, I can tell you it was the Lord speaking directly to my heart reassuring me that He loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:1) Nothing I do can increase it, diminish it, eliminate it, or change it. I am loved! Child of God, you are loved! He loves you with an everlasting love. Hold onto that truth.

12. Anchored and Secured

There are two images I need you to hold in your mind – A ship docked at port, tossed around by the mother of all storms; and a tree growing on the side of a cliff defying all the forces of nature and year on year, blooming at the right time. If asked, both will tell you “I am holding on to something deep below – anchored, secured”. My friend, your survival when the waters are stirred up, and when all logic fails is dependent on your anchor and root system.

A downside of the construction boom in many urban centers is the interference with the natural root system of trees. Recently, a huge tree fell in the Nairobi CBD because of this. Was it necessary to put up the buildings – yes. But it came at a cost. One we probably counted and chose to live with. Now, here you are running helter skelter

Of late, we all seem to be running helter skelter to look the part, sound the part and have the highlights. But can I ask you – what’s the status of your root system? Where is your ship anchored? In the Giver, or the gifts? As you are busy chasing and ticking off the list of achievements, please ensure you are well anchored. Because I promise you, the storm will come, and your ground will shift. What will keep you sane is your anchor and root system. So… in conclusion:

a. Get your major premise and minor premise correct so that your conclusion makes sense. Just look that up – its the process of logic. But to make it make sense, you cannot arrive at the right conclusion if your main arguments are off. By now you know – I will send you back to the Word for this. Not self help books, or seminars – no. The Word. Get your logic tested by the Word.

b. Check your soil – My Mom is a small scale farmer and one things she knows is soil. My dear, matoke in Kisii can never taste like matoke in —- (fill in the blanks). The soil not only determines the quality of fruit but also how deep the roots will go. So if your fruits is abit off – repot immediately. Also, your soil will determine your depth and how intertwined you will be with the next tree. Can you sit and look at this intentionally?

c. And finally, a plot twist – if that port you are anchored at is always under a hurricane watch, please set sail and go look for a more peaceful place to dock. Some relationships need to evolve, neighborhoods left, locations changed – just do what it takes to preserve the ship so that you can still reach your destination.

That’s it – my 12 Gems.

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I hope you have found a gem or two to reflect on? Yes? Today we have the first Sunday Service of the Year. May the heavens be opened over you.