I don’t have a biological big brother. But over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have some “adopted” big brothers. This next guest blogger is a brother to me. The first time I met him, it was like we were old friends. It’s like, he doesn’t know a stranger. He has always encouraged me, and advised me through one of the most difficult seasons of my life. Friends, I would like to introduce to some,and present to others my brother from another mother.

Herbert Dzapata is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and podcaster behind Bits of Inspo, dedicated to inspiring and empowering individuals. As an entrepreneur and business startup consultant, he specializes in guiding ventures from idea to execution and excels as a business turnaround strategist. His mission is simple yet profound: to leave people better than he found them. Passionate about personal growth and faith, he is on a journey to know God for himself, while helping others unlock their potential. Through his content and coaching, he shares practical insights, motivation, and strategies for success and significance. Connect with Herbert on TikTok or Spotify.

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Memorial Stones: Tracing God’s hand through the seasons of life

One Sunday afternoon, coming from church after a few weeks’ absence, I had the thought that I needed to “find God” again and not in a religious manner. Having spent the greater part of my life as a believer, I have meandered and wandered off the narrow path many times, in thought, word and deed. “This time, it needs to be different. But, different how?”, I thought to myself. It came down to the issue of intent.

This time, it would be more measured and intentional. Not for me to get some deep revelation to wow my audience with deep insights on God. Not for me to be invited to speak on podiums as someone who “walks with God,” but that I would know God for myself at this stage of my life. To know God in mid-life, who He is to me, and explore the depth of relationship a middle-aged man can have with his Lord and Saviour, his Helpmate and his Father!

The early years

As I look back at my earlier years, from age 4 to 7, growing up Catholic, I loved imitating our local priest. I would get back home and wear an old bed cover that had holes in it as my priestly garments and recite the teaching that Fr. Chifeya would have taught in church. This was much to the delight of my parents as they were ardent members of the church, and my father was a lay preacher in our local parish.

Later, as I got older, from age 9 to 13, I gave my life to the Lord. I remember my eldest sister getting married and suddenly overheard the adults say she was now part of a church of people who were ‘born-again’. In their zeal and youth, the young couple castigated the Catholic Church and its practices. In short, they believed that everyone who did not believe what they believed was bound for hell and eternal damnation.

This did not go down well with my parents and looking back, probably strained relations for a season. I remember my parents said at the time, that my sister and brother-in-law would grow up, mature and probably mellow with time. As if that wasn’t enough, my other two high-school age sisters came back from boarding school and declared they were also born-again. Their brand of born-again dwelt more on the promises of God and seemed happier, rather than smouldering with hellfire and brimstone. It was less scary, to be honest.

I was drawn to that God and wanted that brand of being born again. My two sisters took me to a camp meeting of their ‘brand’ of being born-again and I quickly confessed my sin and accepted The Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I remember telling my sisters I felt lighter after going up to the front.

When I got back to boarding school after giving my life to The Lord, I quickly set about telling my friends about the decision I had made. This was made easier and palatable by all the men and women who volunteered every week to take us for Scripture Union classes. I fell in love with the Bible stories and songs, though I’m not sure if I sought after the God of the Bible, but I knew a lot about him.

Towards the end of my junior school years, I initiated Bible study groups in the boys’ hostel and became part of a distance study program of the Bible out of Australia. They sent us biblical literature, and we would answer the questions, which started with simple concepts and got progressively deeper. There were several of us boarders doing this, and competition drove us to study harder and acquire more knowledge on the principles of the Bible. It was exciting to receive fat, stuffed envelopes with the material and later certificates as we learned more of the Bible.

The teen years

In my early teens, at an all-boys Catholic boarding school, I found myself not able to use the assigned study periods for schoolwork and would read my Bible instead. I enjoyed the religious education classes with Sr. Josie and soon became something of a rabble-rouser by questioning some tenets of our faith like, “How was it the Pope was infallible when all had sinned? How did we ask the Virgin Mary to pray for us sinners when Jesus said we should pray in His name? And what was with the grottos and stone and china carvings that we would light candles around when the Bible said we would not have any graven images???”

You get the gist; I was exploring for myself and found I did not adhere to what I had grown up doing mindlessly.

Now, I began to really want to understand for myself what this was all about. I discovered along with my passion for reading;I loved reading the Bible and found that whilst it was counterculture, it had practical wisdom for a young man trying to navigate his teen years. In short, it saved me a lot of the perils that young men encounter as teens.

At university, I enrolled in Bible School concurrently with my university education and would leave lectures at the university and attend Bible school at night. I was challenged on every front and wanted to spend my life in pursuit of the God of the Bible. I became very active in my local church and resuscitated the young adults’ group that had become defunct as racial demographics changed in my local church. These were years of unbridled zeal spent evangelizing camps and being with people of like-minded faith. I remember after preaching one night at a local high school saying to God, “You can take me right now!”, because I could not imagine there could be more exhilarating episodes serving alongside God and seeing the transformative power of His Word at work in the lives of people. There were healings through laying on of hands. Crusades, preaching and teaching around the country were the marks of that time. It indeed was a time of adventure with God!

The adult years

Settling into family life having moved continents, things slowed down as the demand of kids, everyday life and being a ‘member of a local church’ took over. Streaks of impudence would flair now and then at perceived misrepresentation of God by the local pastor. I yearned for a more exciting experience. Years later, as a pastor of a local church myself, I looked back and wondered how I could have been so arrogant and repented of my behaviour in some churches I had gone through. Leading a local church was fulfilling, rewarding and frustrating all-in-one. This time was spent more on searching scripture to help people and presenting the truth of the gospel for their everyday lives.

When I look back at the tapestry of the first two quarters of my life, I see a love for the Word of God; a desire to reach people for God; a passion to leave people better than I found them; and I see the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout every chapter of my life.

I have not mentioned my crisis of faith. My failing and falling is a story all on its own of grace abounding amid sin and redemption. Indeed, He has never left me nor forsaken me, and the heart of the king is in the Lord’s hand, and He directs it’s path like a watercourse (Proverbs 21:1).

The Picture

Why the long background story? I wanted to paint a picture of His story in my life, so you can tell your picture and see His story being played out in your life. All things work together for your good, and no experience is for nought because a little in your hands is a lot in The Father’s hands.

All the stages and levels of my life are memorial stones. They show that many are the plans in man’s heart, but it’s God’s purposes that prevail. Be encouraged as you look back on your own life and put the pieces together that indeed you are what you are by God’s grace.

Now, in mid-life, I want to know God for myself:

• In the fallibility, failings and frustrations of my weaknesses
• In the pursuit of His purposes for me and not just my passions
• In the hope of glory and the riches placed in this earthen vessel

I hope one day to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the rest of your Master” (Matt 25:23). These are my hopes on this side of eternity, but once I cross over, as David said, “one thing I desire, this one thing I seek after, that I may live in the house of the Lord to gaze upon His beauty and to enquire in His courts” (Psalm 27:4), as I have a lot of questions!

Key Takeaways

• Faith is a Journey:​
  Your walk with God will pass through many seasons—childhood wonder, youthful zeal, questioning, leadership, and midlife reflection. Each stage brings its own lessons and growth.
• Intentional Seeking:​
  True spiritual depth comes from seeking God with honest intent, not for recognition or performance, but for a genuine relationship.
• Embrace Questions:​
  Doubt and questioning are not signs of weak faith, but invitations to deeper understanding and authenticity.
• Value Every Season:​
  Both the highs and lows of life serve as “memorial stones”—reminders of God’s presence and guidance along the way.
• Grace in Imperfection:​
  Even in times of failure or crisis, God’s grace and redemption are available. God doesn’t waste any experiences.
• Your Story Matters:​
  Reflecting on your journey can encourage others to see God’s hand in their own lives and find hope in their stories.
• Hope for the Future:​
  Midlife is not an end, but a new chapter in discovering God’s purposes and experiencing His faithfulness.

When I read this post, it was as though I were sitting across from Herbert having a conversation with him. This is what a conversation with him is like: full of wisdom, with poetic meanderings, inspiration and biblical insights. I’m so glad my friend, Zva, said yes to his marriage proposal.

Friend, do you see the canvas of your life story with God’s artistic hand on it? I’d love to know if you do, hit reply or comment below to share.

Herb, thank you my brother! ☺️

Until next week, friends…

Miracles + Blessings!

Brenda

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