SACRIFICE OF LOVE
The last quarter of the year is tagged the ‘ember months.’ It’s a season of festivities and exchange of gifts. Festivities include Thanksgiving/Harvest [Homecoming] marriages / wedding celebrations and anniversaries commemorations; Unions’ end of year activities, Christmas and welcome to New Year fun fares. In this season and time of the year, the trees bring forth their flowers and the atmosphere becomes colorful and colder while the upper atmosphere chilled and iced. Churches are in advent in commemoration of Christ birth and preparation for his second coming. The shopping malls decorate their stores with gift items, cards and associated wares. In America, we celebrate thanksgivings, Halloween and happy holidays not necessary merry Christmas because it may be politically incorrect or perhaps insensitive. Even some Churches fear to greet merry Christmas. Judge for yourself which is right? It may sound strange if you’re not in this abode; could be a case of different people, different strokes.
In this season we celebrate thanksgivings. Thanksgiving is a modern name for harvest. In thanksgiving, we recognized that the land, the seed and increase belong to God. We thank God for the lives of men and women, our youths and babies [born and unborn] for uncommon opportunities in life as well as developments in space, land and sea. We are most appreciative and grateful for God’s love and mercies in good health, yields of the land and economic prosperity; in keeping and protection of our lands, borders and shores. Worldwide the greatest celebration is Christmas – the birth of Christ and the coming of the New Year. I respect the opinions of those who are against the celebration of Christmas either because Christ was not born on December 25, or the word Christmas is not contained in the bible. They also opine that Christ neither celebrated his birth nor ask the Church to celebrate it. But one single truth remains, that someday and somewhere in the world Christ was born. This was the most precious and sacrificial gift of love to the lost human race. It’s most precious and sacrificial because no human being could offer solution to the deformed state of human race. God alone had the capacity to provide salvation through his son Jesus Christ who paid the price of sin and reconciled mankind to himself.
God gave us the gift of love; His only begotten son came into the world to save the world of sin; that whosoever believes in him shall have life everlasting [John3:16]. He lived and died on the cross of shame and paid the price of sin we could not pay. By this single act mankind was cleansed, redeemed from sin and reconciled to the Father Almighty. This gift could not be purchased by money, years of consistent and unrelenting labor or academic excellence. It could not be achieved by self goodness or self righteousness. The blood of animals or men could not resolve the problem of sin. Jesus was the totality of what God needed to solve man’s problem of sin and iniquities. The birth of Jesus means so much to mankind. His birth brought God’s kingdom visibly and we began to witness the demonstration of God’s power in the midst of his Children. Without his birth there could not be his death.
When mankind sinned against God, He knew we could not help ourselves, so His love compelled him to give us his only begotten son to save us. More so since God’s love is revealed and recognizable in and through his children, those who claim they are God’s children must show His unconditional love to the world. God loves and gives. This season reminds us once again of God’s great gift to the world. This gift must be shared and revealed in and through us. In our world of inequalities in wealth and opportunities, many are depressed; hungry, dislocated and others have nobody to care for them. These people are God’s creation and God cares about them. Some of them were displaced by wars, terrorism and perhaps natural calamities. Others were retrenched from work and can’t provide for their families; some were visited by incurable diseases and befallen by inexplicable mishaps and tragedies. Others are those who are handicap and need our love. They are poor, disadvantaged, less privileged, but not withstanding are God’s children and He cares about them with heavenly passion and concern
For long we practice giving to those who give to us and allow the have-nots to feel the pains of inequalities in life. This practice could be a good gesture but does not share the love of God. God had ever cared for those who have nobody to care for them. God’s love is a gift to mankind; it’s so infectious that it spread out and being felt by world through us. The love of God demand sacrifices on our part. Christ love compels us to share the blessings God has bestowed on us to the needy members in our communities during this Christmas season. One great miracle that some people often overlook is the power of collective giving [unity of purpose]. The little contributions we make collectively help to feed masses, clothe the naked and empower the less-privileged as well as giving back to the communities we belong. We may not have funds to build houses, fetch cars or repair roads or install water and telephone services but a little love this season would help influence the society. The walk of many miles started with one step. The whole community would indeed experience the love of Christ; indeed He’s born in the hearts of His children. This change in heart and prospective will stimulate joyful feelings, endeared respect and appreciation and reduce social menace. Our love will begin to influence our little corners and like a great light it pursues darkness away. These little things we do together, not murmuring or complaining or pointing accusing fingers could go along way to change people’s perception towards us and touch lives beyond our imaginations. Indeed people would testify that God kingdom has come.
Despite global wars and economic depression, God has blessed and prospered us this year in our various businesses, kept our jobs and uplifted us in positions; fetched some uncommon opportunities and granted us good health as well as increased our families. We must praise and glorify God for his love, care and protection. He has blessed us so we become blessings to our families, communities and our world. This season our sacrifice of love will help to make a difference in the lives of many people. Our various Churches and Town Unions could open an avenue for helping others. Collectively we bless our communities with clothing’s, food items and money [as enablement].You could serve as a volunteer giving your time, talent and treasure in making this season of gift a reality to someone. It could be your Church or Union had never thought of such venture of love, you could arrange with three or more friends and challenge yourselves in this direction and see where the Lord takes you all. It’s a voyage you will desire to go again.
Billy Graham’s most important message has always been: God is love. He intimates God loves you, no matter what you’ve done, no matter what your past, no matter how great your sins are, God loves you with an everlasting love. If God is your father and Jesus your Lord and Master, you need to share His love with the world. Even if you have not received answers to all your prayers, I strongly believe that God delay’s is not denial. I admonish you to challenge your situation with sacrifice of love and it will change. God is very able to do beyond your request and desires. He’s the Almighty God and does not fail. Let your sacrifice of love this season speak for you and your household.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya Godswill can be reached by email:gkapin53@yahoo.com