COVENANT HEART
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Today’s Readings:
Exodus 19:1-2,9-11,16-20
Daniel 3:52-56;
Matthew 13:10-17
“IF GREATNESS IS WHAT YOU SEEK, THERE IS A PRICE, ESPECIALLY IF NO ONE IN YOUR LINEAGE HAS ALREADY PAID THAT PRICE FOR YOU”
I was so scared, as a teenager, that I would fail in life because I had flunked the University Matriculation Exams the year before. I had lived in a bubble of success up until that time. I studied hard for the second attempt and still fell short of the required score. By this time, my dad was blaming it on the time I spent watching movies and committing music lyrics to memory instead of studying. I felt so down (the term “depression” was not popular back then). I was determined to succeed. Even the weight of failure could not keep me down because I knew I was made for more. Looking back, I do not know who spoke to me or what they said that made me decide to never give up. Perhaps it was a desire born out of never wanting to feel the sense of guilt and shame that I felt for failing an admission exam that made me devise and apply a formula that has seen me through all these years. This formula has gone through several upgrades, but here is a summary of it.
Daily Masses (including reception of Communion).
Regular Confession of Sins/Spiritual Guidance.
Daily Personal Devotion.
Time for study (twice a day, morning and evening).
Befriend those who know better than you.
Sacrifice time for play to build your goal/purpose.
Speak the truth always.
Live one day at a time.
Avoid time wasters (persons or things).
Never be idle.
Do not satisfy every craving.
Be charitable with your time, talent and resources.
These exercises speak to the need for sacrifices to be made. I understood that if I wanted to excel in my studies, be the best in my chosen field, find fulfilment in my work, impact lives, and inspire others, it would come at some personal cost. I realised too that beyond what I did for myself to attain success at different levels, my parents had sown the seed of self-discipline for me by disciplining themselves. The evidence for this is their exemplary lives of prayer, hard work and Christian virtues. They made it possible for me to have a template with which to build—a sort of spiritual trust fund. This is the greatest undoing of a lot of people today; no one has paid the price for them to succeed. And since no one has stepped up for them in their families, they do not know which direction to take for their future success. It is not all bad news anyway.
Jesus has paid the price and has offered the ultimate sacrifice for everyone. Through His death and resurrection, we have become a covenant people to God. Jesus’ sacrifice has created a level playing field for our parents, ourselves and generations yet unborn to key into success and excel in whatever we choose to do. The only problem remains me and my unwillingness to move on from my fractured past. Jesus puts it well when he says:
“For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me.” (Matthew 13:15,16)
It is possible to drag a horse to a stream, but you cannot force it to drink. You can scroll through your favourite social media app and stumble on great Christian content and refuse to engage. You may even receive this reflection daily and refuse to read and share. You can go through one calamity after another and refuse to learn. That is not God’s fault. You have yourself to blame because, although salvation is offered to you on the platter of Jesus’ sacrifice, your stubbornness is your own undoing. May God not allow us to destroy ourselves. Amen.
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! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Eternal Father, I realise that my salvation is in my hands. I turn to You for grace and strength. Help to please You with all my choices and decisions. Amen.
May the sacrifice of Christ speak most eloquently for you. And may God grant you grace to cooperate with His graces and accomplish great feats for the glory of His name. Amen.
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