(Revelation 2: 4,5)
They raised their arms, swaying in tandem with the praise; I gnashed my teeth in despair.
They supped in the same table with Him; I ate the crumbs from their feast.
They beheld His glory; I couldn’t see past the veil on my face.
They jumped in joy; I mourned in sorrow.
What had happened to me?
I decided to quit.
The exit door was huge, but old. I could see the stain from the palm of the last man that used it. The mark was still fresh. How many had left through this door? How many came back? The story goes that it is easy to leave but very difficult to come back.
Heart hitting hard on my ribs, I grabbed the handle. A click, a hilarious shout! I retracted my hand and looked back. A beautiful young woman just came in through the small entrance door. I shook my head in shame. Such was the hilarious welcome-shout when I first entered the kingdom. Then, I was enjoying everything – the music, the worship, the fellowship. What had happened to me?
What happened to my zeal to serve the Lord at all times? What happened to my passion to please the king in all circumstances? What happened to my desire to do His will at all cost? Ashamed of remembering where I had fallen, I quickly grabbed the door handle and turned it hard. Then, everything became dead silent. No more worship, no more music – I was dumb-dead to everything happening inside.
A tap at my back and I turned. Standing behind was a man in white apparel.
“Why do you want to go?”
His countenance was full of care as He asked. His warm smile proved wrong my belief that nobody cared any longer about me in the kingdom.
“I’m no more useful here.” I kindly told Him.
He looked at me with pity. “It’s very cold outside,” He warned. “If you leave, you might not make it back. Stay with us. We love you.”
Me? Those pleading and caring words hit me hard. Am I still loved the way I am? I couldn’t believe it. Shaking terribly, my hands slipped off the door-handle and I fell down on my knees. With tears running down my cheeks,
I promised the King of kings that I would return to my first love.
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Rev. 2:4,5)
– okenna igbokwe
| At the inception of the year, the Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria made the wearing of crash helmets mandatory for all motor bike riders and passengers nationwide. This order was to bring a sense of decorum and protection for both bike riders and passengers alike. Given the spate of “Okada” (commercial motor bikes) accidents in Nigeria, the government through its agency needed to step in to enforce the much needed safety measures. Government came to the realization that all citizens and inhabitants are first and foremost “government pikin” (Government’s responsibility). They know they are primary custodians of the well beings of their citizens and inhabitants of the geopolity. On this basis the government views anybody who denies them this onerous responsibility of being the harbingers of a befitting wellbeing as enemy of the state and thus would be dealt with accordingly.
Over the weekend I hitched a ride on a motor bike to my friend’s abode. I wore a crash helmet as a law abiding citizen who had been inculcated into this new regime of security and social wellbeing. It then dawned on me that I was “abstract”. I wasn’t looking the “norm”. Especially in a society where people have been used to plying the most popular means of transportation unprotected – skulls left stark naked awaiting the uncanny event of an accident by a recluse “expert” rider. After all I wasn’t mounting a power bike so why should I be embellished with a “sophisticated” Grand prix outfit. As much as I had imbibed this new social culture I was feeling very odd with this new regime of conformity. A sense of humility encapsulated me as I was being gagged by the law. Above all I needed not fear the wrath of the law enforcement agents who were ready to wield their authority at the slightest default.
Much as the government of the day is concerned about our well being God is much more concerned about the well being of the world he created. He gave his son (Jhn.3:16, Gal.4:4, Rom.8:32) and in addition to that he gave us all things freely to enjoy (Rom.8:32, 1Tim.6:17). It’s erroneous for humans to work and walk trusting expertly on their whims rather than the plan of the Father (Eph.5:17). They’ll thereby leave themselves in the hands of the Devil who’ll have them for a gourmet made lunch (1Pet.5:8). The Father’s plan for us is that we work in line with his protection and provision for us in Christ Jesus (2Pet.1:1-3). This safety measure humbles us (Eph.3:9-14, Phil.3:8-10) and makes us live against the norm (Gal2:20, 2Cor.5:14-15). It brings a sense of decorum and direction in our conducts on the face of the earth (Tit.3:11-14). The Christians appreciate their pilgrimage and sense of responsibility to the dying souls (1Pet2.11-12). At first we would feel that we are being unwholesomely abstract – yea, but we are (Eph.5:8-10).
Friends much as you could have been used to being driven by some expertly cut out human ideas, we belong to the ultimate counselor, governor and master (Isaiah 9:6-7). He knows he’s responsible for our lives because he bought us with his life. He’s the creator of everything (John.1:1-5, Col.1:16-17) so he has a better idea of how to manoeuvre in this puzzled terrain. Just as it is an aberration to defy the laws of the land to the detriment of our safety it is an aberration to defy the law of the new creature (Gal.6:15-16) to the detriment of your excellence as a Christian.
Abide with the “safety first measure” by attending to and doing God’s will in all your endeavors. God owns you (1Cor.6:19-20).
– emeka ofia |