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TIME FOR A SHIFT

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • 1 day ago
  • 3 min read
 

Today’s Readings:

Isaiah 1:10,16-20

Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23

Matthew 23:1-12

 

Think differently. Yes, we need to think differently about our relationship with God, with power and with one another. It is not about following rules or keeping commandments or running away from things that are bad or staying away from things that are fun but forbidden. It is bigger than that. It is about the placement of our heart. The placement of your heart should always be to do right by the One who loves you. Love is the most important factor in your relationship with God. If you knew that your action would negatively affect someone you have professed love for, what would you do? Would you go ahead with your decision or would you refrain from your action, knowing that the relationship is so important to you and losing it will mean that something very important is taken out of your life?


So, when you think about relationships in general (and your relationship with God in particular), do not focus on what you have given up to show your love for God. Do not focus on your fear of punishment that will result from your poor actions. Look at it from the point of view of a mirror reflection: what you see is what you get. What you do will produce the result you shall receive. If you present beauty, you will receive beauty. The same applies to your actions. If your actions are filled with love, obedience, sacrifice, and dedication, the fruits will be bountiful goodness. If your actions are laced with selfishness, rebellion, and vengeance, then the fruits you shall receive are trauma, evil, hatred, resentment and the loss of everything beautiful. Ezekiel 18:31 says, “Shake off all your sins – it is the Lord who speaks –and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.” If you want to change the world, begin by changing yourself. Do not be hypocritical, professing one thing with your lips and living a completely different way, like the Pharisees of Jesus’s time. Religion is not the problem; our poor interpretation of it in our lifestyle is.


How else would people know what we believe if we do not live it out? When we complain about our leaders, about the breakdown of law and order, the sky-scrapping cost of living and the gross disregard for human dignity and free speech, it is indicative of the misplacement of our hearts. You cannot choose God and still do evil. Lent is a season that invites us to a dialogue table with God: “Come now, let us talk this over, says the Lord…If you are willing to obey, you shall eat the good things of the earth. But if you persist in rebellion, the sword shall eat you instead.” (Isaiah 1:18-20). Now is the time for a shift. Task: Speak to someone who has offended you. And listen to what he or she has to say afterwards without defending yourself.


Things will change when we decide, but that change must first begin in us, in the way we perceive ourselves, in the way we see God reflected in others and in the way we take responsibility for our actions. The time for a shift is now.

                                                                                    JUDE-MARY OWOH


 

To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.


 

Prayer:

  1. Eternal Father, teach us to humble ourselves before you and see that our life is fleeting and we only have today to do what is right, true and good.

  2. May our words edify others, our actions inspire positive change, and our silence create peace. Amen.

 
 
 

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