One of the most interesting things about the Christian race is how you don’t get it all at once. What I mean is, the moment you give your life to Christ trust me a lot has already changed within you and if you haven’t yet please do (You are missing a lot!). However, just like the bible says “…his mercies are new every morning”, all who have dared to seek a relationship with this awesome God can confess how amazingly new this experience seems to be everyday. Like we used to say when I was younger, one could read a verse from the bible for a whole year and get 365 different understanding from that one verse (supposing the person is very honest and hungry for more of God). Funny thing is he or she would have still not exhausted the wealth of knowledge in that one verse. Now, this seems much like a fallacy of generalization but what can I say, give it a try!

Unfortunately sometimes we tend to fall short of our part in this relationship and in the end, we miss out on amazing opportunities spiritually and in our daily lives. I know this because I have fallen prey to this several times (nothing I am proud of!) and now I know better. One of such occasions was a fateful morning on my way to work. I had entered a commercial vehicle that should convey me to a central area from where I’d continue to my office. As I settled in, I couldn’t help but notice how loud the driver was. At first, he seemed to have been in some sought of conversation with the other passengers but was distracted by some driving stunts other fellow drivers were putting out and he began shouting at them, obviously angry. I am not a fan of loud people so needless to say I was already uncomfortable but that was soon to be the least of my worries.

As we journeyed on, peace and a little bit of quiet finally returned to the moving car and the enraged driver calmed down a little. The driver then seemed to recall the conversation he had dropped and sooner than later I came to understand that this was no conversation. They were obviously arguing, arguing on matters as touching Christianity. Immediately I felt bad because I figured this man that just displayed utmost lack of self-control should have no cause to call himself a Christian or define what is right or wrong from a Christian standpoint (I guess I was quite the judge then). Although, I didn’t say much because I make it a point not to enter such arguments since I was stuck in this car , I tried to listen.

While they argued, I began to note one or two points that must have been the genesis of these arguments and sure enough I started to answer some of the questions in my heart. However, our driver who spoke like he knew a lot was directly contradicting most of what I know to be true. I’m not bragging to know the bible through and through but as I sat there listening I heard this man quote and misinterpret scriptures, testify of wrong doctrines while totally managing to add a spice of vulgar language. I didn’t really care much at first, (I just wanted out of this vehicle!) but this man was obviously a good orator and soon he was convincing this undiscerning individuals of the heresies he was preaching. That was when I started to feel alarmed.

I figured if he had some things wrong with his understanding of the scripture that could be cured but transferring this incorrect information to others was just cruel and wrong. At this point I was so mad in my spirit and I wanted to tell this man all the truths I knew and then it struck me “I did not have any scriptures to back up my claims”. Even the scriptures I knew, I did not know their location in the bible. I know I did not speak up (Thank God!) but sitting there I was totally ashamed of myself. This was a great evangelistic opportunity for me but my neglect for studying the scriptures got the better of me. I took my relationship with God for granted, like some of us these days do and I paid dearly. I watched on as souls were covered in more darkness. Writing this now, I know I should have just said something but this little bit of my life I had ignored was the right the devil had to steal any form of confidence I could muster.

So I guess what I’m trying to say from this experience is Your relationship with God should be the most important thing in your life and nothing should take its place because great opportunities you don’t want to miss just wait out your door and your ticket to accessing them would be in your constant communion with Jesus, your personal Lord and Saviour. What’s more this relationship is not a boring, routine-like one! It simply gets better everyday. So come on and enjoy God. As for me I now know better. This year I am not going to undermine my study of the bible anymore that I may stand a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Grace

Ezeonyeka Godswill