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Patricia, had falling in love with John since their college days and was especially interested in him when she got to know he was heading for the seminary after college. Though that might have seemed kind of awkward for a fine young man with a promising future in Nanotechnology but he got the call to serve and that just fits so perfectly to the kind of "Mr Right" Patricia had always wanted. Please don't blame her interest, it's not everyone that is running away from being a clergy's wife. Hers was inspired by her Dad, Bishop J. Philips. To her, he was the fleshy representation of the Jesus their Sunday School teachers tell them about. Whenever she reads the classic My Book Of Bible Stories, it's as though her Dad was the character portrayed as Jesus. She grew up knowing about God first hand from the way Dad and Mum related.
As a teen, she had had several reasons to forsake her belief and go for what was trending but she wouldn't compromise. Her relationship with Bishop Philips was more than that of a Dad to his daughter. She always felt like she is in Jesus' blossom anytime they are together. Several times she would tell her Dad, "I wanna marry a man like you". Dad would say, "What if you fall in love with a man that isn't a clergy?". Her reply always was, "Well then, I'll make him one". Both will laugh about it and conclude that the will of God will be done.
Unfortunately, Bishop J. Philips was involved in a ghastly
accident involving a train that got derailed. It was a trying time for the
family. As the only daughter, Pat had to be there for her mum and Dexter, her
younger brother. Then she vowed not to marry anyone with lesser values than
what her Dad upheld till death.
Here was John, the reincarnated Bishop J. Philips (At least that was how Pat saw him). He will be graduating from the seminary in six months and had a 2 weeks holiday and was so excited to see his betrothed, Pat. Pat, on the other hand had arranged for them to meet her mother but wanted it to be at her Mum's. So John had to first get to Pat and together they were headed to Mrs. Philips house.
"This can't be true". Mrs.
Philips exclaimed. She had to quickly keep calm as Pat was already nervous not
knowing what that expression meant. She invited them in and straight to the
dinner table all set with a sumptuous meal. Mrs. Philips waited till they
were done with the dinner before saying what was on her mind. Pat's
anticipation was getting out of hand. She could literally pulled the
words out of her mum's mouth. But she managed to put herself under
control.
"You know, you aren't bad for a son in-law", Mrs Philips said to John with a grin. "I know my daughter is excited that she has found a fine man to have as a husband and particular a clergy man", she continued. "But I'll like to ask you a question. What kind of Clergy are you?", she said with a strong tone and a sarcastic look. Pat and John quickly withdrew their hands from each other readjusting their sitting positions.
Clearing his throat, John wanted to speak but Mrs Philips interrupted and said, "You have no right to speak, young man!".
John became pale as he wonders what could be the cause of the
sudden change in Mrs. Philips countenance.
"I was the 'old fool' you yelled at a couple of hours ago", Mrs
Philips said. "Man, you need to understand what you claim to
believe in. Being a believe and a clergy at that, isn't just about the
title. You could preach a rehearsed sermon but can't lead a rehearsed lifestyle
for long. You've got to be a walking sermon in and out of the pulpit. Your
clergy collar doesn't make more of a believer than others. The way you treat
people you don't know, the way you abide by the law of the land and most
especially the way you treat your family, are sermons on their own. You've got
be a living walking sermon, boy. Your thoughts, actions, inaction, outlook,
mannerisms must all reflect Jesus. The One you believe in should be seen even
before you climb the pulpit".
At these words, John broke down in tears and asked for Mrs. Philips' forgiveness and they all lifted up their voices to God in prayers.
Twenty five years down the lane, John will never forget those words. They were his defining moments. In fact, his first book was titled: "WALKING SERMON". He made sure those two powerful words were inscribed on his mirror reminding his who he should be daily.
My dear, there are NO HOLIDAYS for a
Christian Life. It's daily. You don't retire or take a break. You don't lead a
righteous life only when you feel like. It's in season and out of season.
Whether someone is watching or not. You've got be represent everything Christ
stands for round the clock.
The Message translation of Romans 12:1-2 sums it all;
“So here’s what I want
you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping,
eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an
offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even
thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside
out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.
Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of
immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in
you.”
God bless you!
Have a great time.
Gabriel Obasa
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