More From Benjamin Ankrah

You wouldn’t believe how dramatic things have been for me since I submitted my devotional for today. However, it’s been dramatic in a positive way. When I reflect on how far I have come, it’s almost as if bringing that piece of writing into existence automatically brought its lessons into reality in my life.

Austrian psychologist Viktor Frankl wrote, “What is to give light must endure burning.” That lesson has manifested in my life since I submitted my devotional, and I believe it is worth sharing in this follow-up piece. If you were blessed by my meditation, then I hope this blog will further empower you in whatever life circumstances you find yourself at the moment.

Eight years ago, I completed a higher education qualification in dispensing technology. But as soon as I completed my national service after school, the undeniable call of God directed me down a path of theological studies. This charted a whole new and unexpected path. While my parents thought I was going to be a sign of hope for the family with a stable career and monthly salary, God had a different idea about the kind of sign I would be.

A few years down the line, this pharmacy technician has turned pastor and Christian copywriter. My new path came with a passion to blaze new trails and impact my generation through my writing and other opportunities. But it has not come easy.

I still remember the look on my dad’s face as he stared at my theology certificate. I was graduating that day from a year-and-half certification course in theology. I could almost read his mind. He must have thought, How did my son end up here? Will he be able to make something of his life with this path? God, is this your plan for him? Notwithstanding, he has supported me anyway through the journey—something I am incredibly grateful for.

Since that day, I have endured my own burning of various kinds that has allowed me to give off the kind of light I do today. The Father of lights had to endure burning of his own when he came to earth for our sake. In fact, what I have experienced is nothing compared to what he had to go through, just so he could shine and be a sign of hope for the world.

I have found one thing for sure in this journey of becoming a living sign and light: the extent to which I burn, enduring hardship and sacrifice, determines how much I shine and my impact on the world. Whatever we may be going through, let’s be patient and encouraged. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, even when we are in the fire, another is with us. We can be a sign that leads others to turn to God.

The day I received word from The Upper Room that my devotional would be published, my suffering finally made sense. God is using my writing to minister to millions of people around the world—a feat I most likely would never have experienced had I stuck to that first life path. Today, I am inspired to write and submit more devotionals and other forms of writing that will impact the world and draw people closer to God, the Father of lights.