No Turning Back..

 

There’s a song trending with the lines “I have decided to follow Jesus” by Gaise-baba and   Lawrence Oyor. It’s one that everyone is jumping on to do a cover or dance video. I’m suspecting you have added yours as well… LOL.

It’s a good one with danceable beats, convicting lyrics and chorus sung in a resounding way that can readily play in the head. This could imply something- regurgitation of the words that could also imply meditating on the words that should build convictions. 

This piece is to remind, charge and possibly caution in order to avoid a throwing to wind of the reality of that golden phrase - 

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS.. NO TURNING BACK!

The original hymn with those lines was generated based on the last words of the Garo martyr Nokseng as his family first and then himself died. He was asked to denounce Jesus Christ publicly or have his family killed one after the other beginning with his child, then his wife before himself. The words were inspired by the Holy Spirit through the martyrdom. (https://renewaljournal.com/2017/11/29/the-true-story-behind-the-song-i-have-decided-to-follow-jesus/)

While we sing and dance with joy and energy this new viral song that is loud about living triumphantly a beautiful life of having abundance to spend for Jesus Christ, we must not fail to stay sober as we remember that the same phrase was expressed by a man watching his dear family killed before he himself joined them.

Imagine you were in the same situation as the martyred, would you have been able to sing or shout those lines loudly -

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS.. NO TURNING BACK.. THE WORLD BEHIND, THE CROSS BEFORE ME… NO TURNING BACK..!

A few years ago, a damsel called Leah Sharibu was held back by the Bokoharan group and will not be released with the other girls released because she failed to renounce Christ Jesus. I saluted and admired her courage while challenging Christians on social media then if they would have had the conviction to do the same. Someone responded vehemently on to my post saying she(Leah) did not use wisdom and so on. I still dove my heart for Leah for what she did irrespective of the eventual outcome which is not public. Whether in life or death, her saviour who owns her keeps her safe.

For this current race, I do pray that the words being sung have a heart alignment built on conviction that will withstand trials when or if they do come. The concern is that it’s very easy to loose the import of a message when it’s all frenzy and without serious sober reflections on how much impact it could generate.

God be praised forevermore!

Fulfilling God’s Purpose..

 Fulfilling God’s purpose in life is not about the numbers or size of the task to be carried out. It is simply about being faithful to act on the assignment given dutifully.

Many people have it mixed up in their head that someone with a grand and very visible ministry is fulfilling God’s purpose better than someone who is known only to a sizeable congregation that he is sent to be in their lives at that period. As a result we undermine one and exhalt the other thereby losing out on what God has intended for you through the one undermined.

As in the book of Romans 12, every part have it’s usefulness and none can be discarded as irrelevant because of their hidden role.  The role of the eyes to the body is important just as the mouth, the ears or the brain. Do away with the hypothalamus in your body and your whole world is a mess. The question is what is that?!?!??! HYPOTHA…What??

The hypothalamus is that organ in human body that regulates the body temperature. It’s an hidden, relatively unknown organ that must play its part in the body for the common good of all.

Stop looking down on people because they have been assigned roles you think are not big and start appreciating everyone from the eyes of God’s sovereign grace who chooses who he wills, when He wills to carry out different jobs that will bring glory to His name. To one He puts in a village to lead locals to Christ and offer them spiritual guidance. To another he sets up to be the GO of a large ministry that is know around the world. Every position is important and demands faithfulness.

What has God called you to do? To what purpose has God saved you and allowed you be where you are at this time? Can you faithfully commit to it and stop prioritising the quest for a big stage. The most important thing is to be faithful to the one that enlisted you for the assignment. 

God be praised forever more!