TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
Today’s Readings:
Ezekiel 37:21-28
Jeremiah 31:10-13
John 11:45-56
There was a Nigerian comedian in the early 2000s who joked about Nigerian secular artists being members of church choirs. The joke was inspired by the fact that most of the artists at the time had claimed that they were former choristers. He said, What if all these artists were to return to the choir and use their gifts of music to praise God? Won’t church be sweet? And a lot hof is listeners shared his sentiments. This is no different from what Ezekiel declares in his prophecy:
"I am going to take the sons of Israel from the nations where they have gone. I shall gather them together from everywhere and bring them home to their own soil. I shall make them into one nation in my own land and on the mountains of Israel, and one king is to be king of them all; they will no longer form two nations, nor be two separate kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and their filthy practices and all their sins. I shall rescue them from all the betrayals they have been guilty of; I shall cleanse them; they shall be my people and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 37:21-24)
The question is “How?” We usually ask how a thing will come about when it exceeds our competence. When we receive reassurance from the priest that God will act in our favour or grant our requests, we want to know how. When our Blessed Mother was told that she would conceive a child without intimacy with a man, she wondered how it would come about. The high priest, Caiaphas would never have imagined that God could use his words, spoken in malice, to bring about the redemption of the world. God can and will use anyone to accomplish His work. We should cooperate with the grace He freely gives us.
How can we cooperate with God’s grace to create a world where people do what they should?
Do the will of God wherever you find yourself. Use your gifts to bring about goodness.
Do not be hypocritical. Let your life be one uncomplicated whole.
Lend a helping hand to those who are struggling.
Let your life be a witness so that others find courage to make a shift from darkness to light.
Stay humble: always remember that your gifts are from God and they are meant for use to serve Him, and you will change the world.
The two worlds, those who are on the side of God and those who are not, are on a collision course. Those blinded by error and falsehood will see the light. Those who once served the devil will use their gifts for God. And those who are faithless will believe in God. It is already happening if you are paying attention. Both worlds will eventually merge into one. We know which will prevail in the end. Do not be caught on the wrong side of history.
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, you have blessed me with every material and spiritual blessing with which to serve you in the world and achieve my purpose. I have not always done what you command. I have hurt others with my words, actions and negligence. Help me to do better and serve You in my neighbourhood. May your kingdom be established in the world through me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
In a world that constantly forces me to choose, I will always choose You, Eternal Father. Help me never to turn away from your love and grace by my choices and decisions, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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