Working Hard ?

Hey everyone I hope this message meets you well. On this post I thought I'd do something a little different, if that's ok with you ( not that you have a choice really but my mother taught me manners :P)

The young man you see below is called Emmanuel Osungboun (Smiley), who happens to be one of the most gifted drummers out there in Dublin. To be honest I've known this guy for a little while and I've always known him to be more of a joker than anything up until today. So Smiley came to my college today briefly and wanted to leave so he could get some food. I was hungry too so I followed him. On the way to the food joint he started cracking jokes as he normally would and constantly kept mentioning how hungry he was and I'm there thinking "ah here bro chill" (turns out the dude had been fasting). So anyway we get to the place and we order some food and I find myself eating and texting on the phone, which he notices. To my surprise he mentions how much he doesn't like that and convinces me to drop it and so I do (bare in mind me and smiley barely ever talk so it could been awkward). Eventually we get talking and all I can say is wow!! So he starts off by giving me blog advice, which was really interesting. Then he asks me about the band I'm in and how far I'm going with singing at the moment. So I explain to him that basically the process is a little slow because we're not as productive as we should be, plus we're always busy and I'm basically giving every excuse I can in the book, as I normally do. He looks at me and says something like "Maybe when you start living off it you'll take it serious". At this point I wasn't saying much so he continued on speaking. He started explaining how he basically makes his income through drumming and teaching others how to drum. On top of that he was sharing his story about how he also has to contribute money at home every month from the money he makes from teaching students.

I loved how honest he was with everything. You see it wasn't always easy for him and it still isn't. His income was dependent on the students he was teaching. Sometimes he would charge them relatively low and sometimes his students would travel. In other words, he made little or nothing from his efforts. All this time he was talking I was thinking just how we normally take instrumentalists for granted. Sometimes we forget that the gifts they possess is a craft and wasn't easy to master. I'm not talking on the subject of whether paying them or not is right but one thing is for sure. The level of appreciation given to them doesn't always match the effort they put in. If you wont admit it I will. See I've always known this guy to be one of the best drummers out there but I never ever considered how hard working he is let alone how he lives off it and also how it has taught him to be so independent.

when I was reflecting on this today I realised a few things. First I realised that maybe I'm not working as hard as I think I am. I'm a slacker. I know this because there's a difference between me and him. His hard work is driven by determination, mine is driven by complaint. Secondly it made me realise just how much I don't take God seriously. When smiley said "Maybe when you start living off it you'll take it serious" it showed me that I'm not living off God as much as I should and that's why I don't take Him serious. That's why my productivity is covered by excuses. Some of us find it hard living off God because we love control and are crippled by the unknown when God is silent. Another thing Smiley said was "The greatest thing God can test is your patience".  This is were most of us fall and have unproductive lives. Some of us claim to be living off God but turn back to dilute our faith with plan B's, which also takes us nowhere. 

I really don't have much to say but I need you to ask yourself this. Do you really think you're working hard on your goals Are you living off God? Do you think you're working hard enough to trust God with your goals ? Does your hard work compliment your faith?

Wish I could share more but I have to stop here. Oh yes, did I mention he was 17 ??

"Maybe when you start living off it you'll take it serious"- Emmanuel Osungboun 

and that's not #Omni

God bless you for reading. 

Just Give Him a Break

In my moment of thinking out loud today I was wondering why I was writing this post and what message it possessed and this thought came to mind. "Everything in this world, both good and bad, happens so that we can understand God." I don't know if it makes sense to you.A couple weeks ago I was given a flashback concerning my getting to this country, studying here, getting my first acknowledgement of residency and a year after, getting my citizenship!! (Mama we made it haha).  Funny how these two and a quarter sentences basically summed up my  8-9 years of getting by in this country. Although, during this journey a lot has surely happened. Trust me, I've experienced great things that I never thought I would but it wouldn't be balanced if ignore the not so great things. I know I'm probably not meant to get way too personal in the things I write but I don't think anyone would relate if I left it out and this is definitely for someone. During my journey I've been exposed to what started off as two loving parents nurturing me and my siblings, transition to one mother without a stable job or papers that enable her to work as she would like. Those were the days of Jabez. My mother, being the prayer warrior that she is, managed to keep the house together and managed to keep us fed every day through ways I can't even believe. Words cannot simply describe how a mother with a wounded heart managed to keep on going, fighting and striving to get not just papers, but Irish passports for each and every single one of us ? In saying that, this isn't the testimony that God was trying to make me realise.

Through what I would call "the struggle" I realised that none of us in the family ever thought of giving up on our mother. I don't know, we just trusted that she had everything under control and we never ever thought of  blaming her for anything. It is that moment of realisation that showed me that we have no idea how much that probably meant to her. I didn't even think that perhaps she could have done with a little encouragement. To be honest, I don't remember really asking how she was most of the time. I just assumed we were both being affected by the same cause but never did I think to just talk to her and spend time with her. From her side I knew she understood. All she was doing was taking care of an angry son who didn't understand much about mum and dad's tragic argument that caused division. When I look back at that I think wow.... how selfish one can get when they are in trouble or in a struggle. Just like that I could almost feel God just saying "Son, how do you think I feel when my children don't believe in me?" Let's face it, we don't believe in God as much as we claim we do. Before you even argue that allegation please take a minute to think about how many times you have said the words "God why?", and now proceed with the argument. Doesn't make sense does it ?

I remember reading Numbers 11 where the Israelites were on their journey to the promised land and they started complaining about how hungry they were and why they were even taken out of Egypt only to die in the wilderness. This angered God and caused Him to promise to feed them meat for a whole month. At that even Moses doubted God because it seemed like an impossible task to just feed people out of nowhere. This really angered God to the point where He said “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” (verse 23). When you first read this you think "wow God gets angry so much that He always has to prove Himself no matter what". However, when you read it again you will see that God was hurt. He honestly just couldn't catch a break with them. Despite His efforts to take them out of the land from which they were enslaved, they still didn't trust in what He had to say. Instead they complained to Him and to Moses, Started thinking about the temporary goodness they had in Egypt and as if that wasn't bad enough, they replaced The almighty GOD!!! with a golden calf....... which they made.

This verse was brought to mind. It says "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12 KJV). Upon reading that I think of verses like "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28 KJV, and I just think to myself  "what kind of God is constantly fighting wars up UNTIL THIS DAY!! and still has time to listen to our troubles and cries".  Make no mistake I know God is Omnipresent and can do all things but all in all it yet strikes me concerning where we find the audacity to question Him. You know there are still people out there with the question " If God is great then why did He let my mother die and why are children starving in Africa??" Its sad that we don't see the bigger picture nor understand verses like "blessed are the poor".  I can imagine if I didn't believe in my mother and constantly doubted her and maybe even left her house. I probably wouldn't even have half the things I have now but would instead be enslaved in my Egyptian mind.

I guess the sad thing about all of this is we just assume that God is God and we take out the Human inside of Him. No one really Goes to God and says " How are you God, how are your battles going in our home I hope our enemy doesn't think he yet stands a chance?". Why? "how selfish one can get when they are in trouble or in a struggle".  We live in a world that is hell bent on proving God's existence, which is fine. What is NOT fine is that we also now live in a world where Children of GOD to through trials and tribulations and are also now helping in the race of "is God really real?"  Finally we also now live in a world that has convinced children of God that we belong here. It is because of that, that we just can't give God a break. Think about that. 

God loves you. He is real. He is perfect (the world isnt). He's going through things too. He's able. Sometimes you just have to believe in Him. He wants you to.  He can do it without you, but He needs you to be involved. You are a part of the kingdom. An attack on you is an attack on Him, and that should be vice versa..... But that's entirely up to you now. Will you give Him the benefit of the "No doubt" ?? 

"Everything in this world, both good and bad, happens so that we can understand God."- Innocent Matthew (Inspired by God)
And that's not Omni
God Bless you for reading.

The Christian Closet

 I have actually been sitting here for the past few minutes thinking of how I'm going to start this post. And just like that << I started it. Haha alright now for the fun "stuff". While I was actually in the middle of this post the story of  Jesus when He foresaw that at the time of Crucifixion Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed came to mind.

So it's been a couple of months now since the Irish "same-sex marriage" referendum came to pass and for those past few months I have sat under a few teachings in church where most people have recited the words "the referendum was the first time where Christians all over Ireland made a stand for God and came together", or something along those lines. During those days while I was also idly standing for God I had a series of thoughts in my head, one of which was the term "coming out of the closet" which is the term  given to homosexuals when they publicly proclaim who they really are. Before I continue this post I'd like to say I have no interest in debating whether homosexuality is good or bad. I know what the bible tells me and that's what I'm sticking with. One thing I truly admired about this referendum, although it might seem somehow, was the fact that so many people came out of their closets either in proclaiming who they were or in supporting the idea of it and left the closet with us, hence the title.

I was on Facebook the other day and I was preparing a status that I knew would somehow bless people and while I was in the middle of it I found myself just trying to be too careful about how I wrote it. I played the usual scenarios in my head prior to this and I could hear the words "Pastor Innocent", the joker's "Holy holy", the default "amen" and scrolling down to other things and the silent "ahh another God post" in our heads, and I felt really discouraged and thought to myself "what a shame". I found it a shame that so many young people out there that, with the right push, would be able to boldly share their faith in their social networks but just can't because standing out for what is true in this generation is somewhat frowned upon. It's even worse when you notice it's the people who know about God that help force each other into that closet.

The more I think about it I realize that  remaining in the closet has truly corrupted us into a state of confusion. In fact I am convinced that one of the main reasons that this referendum passed is because the people who were in it grew tired of remaining there. Not only that but it seems as if the more they stayed the hungrier they became to just come out and not only come out but to be legalized and be accepted. Needless to say, such movement is being noticed globally. When I look at us now, those who yet remain in the closet, I see comfort our new habitat. The desire to leave the closet is thin. Some us have become Bi- Christians whereby we find it alright to see the world and heaven  and try to swing both ways.

When I look at the life of Peter I can actually understand some things. Peter walked with Jesus as His disciple until The death and Resurrection and during those times he saw some serious miracles that Jesus did and till this very moment I wonder how someone would deny such a being? Seriously how, like you know what He is capable of what more clarity could you possibly need!!!!? Some of us would say that "well he was afraid to die" and while I somewhat agree with that I think it goes deeper. Not only did this happen to fulfill the prophecy and scripture of the certainty of God's word, but I believe that this Prophecy was so powerful that it still hangs in this generation. The only thing that has changed  since then is the advancement of technology but the same scenario still remains for some of us. People are out there doing doing the same thing like those witnesses did, saying things like "I saw your post on Facebook about God oh my gosh I never knew about this side of you" and we immediately get uncomfortable about the situation and although we don't deny him with our lips we do it in our hearts because we don't share how real He is to those who are curious. When we do this we actually hide Him in the closet all in the name of avoiding social isolation.

I have lived with this mindset for a while where before I even attempt to write a post I think of what my work colleagues and college mates will think of me and I've realized just how much I've diluted the concentrated word of God. Because of that I'm always reminded "are you afraid of people or the being that created them".  When bible records that Peter went out and cried bitterly and went out (Matt 26:75) before the the death of Christ, I am now being encouraged by this word after the Resurrection in John 21:17 "He saith unto him the third time, Simon (Peter), son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep", which in my understanding, was God's way of saying "Son I know you love me, I love you too but I don't love you in secret, If I did I wouldn't just put you into the world I would keep you for myself and keep on telling you that I love you. Son this is what you're doing, you not only love me in secret, but you're not even giving my other children the chance to love me as much as I love them, even more. Son, please come out, and let people know how you came out (feed my sheep). I love you".  

I refuse to stand idle because of opinions and more and it is because of that, that I felt this was needed and this is definitely for someone out there. Don't be afraid to stand out. Drop the occasional God is good on your posts and watch that status win battles for them that need it. #SOCIALEVANGELIST

"But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven"- Matthew 10:33
And that's not #Omni
God bless you for reading.

Just..... Let Go

It has  been quite a while but I trust you have all been doing well.

Recently I've been obsessing thoughts in my head and I realised that it has really messed me up big time. Through a small thought, I started over-thinking and it later led to over exaggerating situations that further led into something I couldn't even handle. Something that was all in my head came to manifest and it not only affected me but the people around me. Funny thing is we always think we have control over our thoughts but we don't. I wasn't seeking answers about my recent problem but funny enough I was reading God's word and a few things started making sense.

A few months Ago one of my sisters asked us about the difference between King Saul and King David. Why did God love David so much? We obviously concluded that David was labelled as a man after God's heart so that was one upper hand. But what about Saul?  Long story short The book of 1Samuel Talks about a young man named Samuel who is sent by God to anoint Saul as king because the people of Israel were desperate for one. However, a time comes when war breaks out between the Israelites and the Philistines, to which the Israelites prepared themselves for battle. Samuel specifically tells Saul to go ahead to the battle ground and to wait for him there for seven days so that he could come and give a burnt offering to God for the establishment of Saul's Kingdom. Saul, who's nation is now under attack, waits for Samuel for 7 days as agreed but sees no sign of Samuel and therefore proceeds with the burnt offering himself. Samuel comes moments later and finds Saul explaining that his people were under attack and were scattering and thus resorted to what he thought was best at that time, to which Samuel considers as disobedience to God. This action causes Samuel to remove the prosperity of Saul's kingdom through God, who had then sought another man to be King of Israel after His own heart (later known as none other... than...The might King David).

I pondered on this book for a while and thought to myself "Really?". I mean I understand it was disobedient but was it really worth stripping a man off his kingdom? I mean for all we know he was genuine with the offering. It could be that he thought something bad had happened to Samuel... maybe the Philistines had gotten to him or something I don't know but like come on!!! Considering the sins that David was yet to commit (Spoiler alert!!), this is not that bad!!!. Then it hit me.... Saul was worried. Saul did what any man would do. He panicked and thought "this is the end nahh I better do something quick where are my people it is not God's will that I lose or die like this" He was worried and the wait was just too much for him. Haha, funny thing is that in his thoughts he didn't even consider the fact that dying in obedience under God's watch would have been a divine guarantee into heaven. Unfortunately, like most of us... his battle was that of worldly grounds.

The thing about most of us is that we are facing so many responsibilities out there  and we have no clue on how to face them. So most of us resort to facing them on our own. the thoughts in our minds are killing our faith, destroying our relationships, make us emotionally sick and are contaminating the heart. Our thoughts bring about the heaviest burdens and instead of letting go we choose to hold them and bear with them till they exhaust us to our last breaths. did you know that your worries are striping you off your Kingdom? (think about that....but not too much)

This week I want us all to try out something new and see how it will affect our lives. If you enjoy the outcome I'd advise to apply it into your lives forever and see how happy you will be come.
I don't have much to say about the moral lesson in this piece it pretty much speaks for it self.
JUST LET... GO!!...... and be happy :)

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" Matthew 6:34

And that's not #Omni
God bless you for reading.

The Beauty Inside

There's something about clichés that I don't quite like sometimes. I find that they tend to be conversation fillers, especially when you're explaining your problem  to someone, only to hear something like "God is in control" or "Everything happens for a reason". That being said, there's a level of significance in them and I must say it hit me very well this week. Let's take a trip.

One of my brothers asked me to attend an evening mid week service in church which was the next day and I told him I would think about it (which was my way of saying "Nahhh Bruh"). Needless to say the next day I received some conviction in my heart that basically allowed me to realise that if I didn't go I would miss out (I'm sure he did too). So as I set out to go and get the train I contemplated wearing my bag to church. Instead I went out, carrying nothing but my bible (which is something that I never do). I kind of had one of them days that I should carry it with pride, and so I did.

On the way to the train station I was strolling and it started raining (God's way of saying "Hurry up"). As I got on the train I placed the bible on the table. Out of nowhere I started examining the cover and how "beat up it looked" The sides and edges were peeling off. I noticed that it looked bigger than when I first got it because it had soaked up some water when my water bottle decided to gush out in my bag. I recall that it had also undergone some rain in the past, suffice to say I haven't been taking care of it much either. Yet, I found that the word in it was still intact. No words were watered down and the message was still clear. Another thing was made clear for me; This same "beat up" book still contained the word of God. In it, there was still salvation, conviction and life changing words within this very word. This brought about "the beauty inside". Dare I say the cliché, "don't judge a book by its cover".

I know you know where I'm going with this but I'm going to say it anyway. There is beauty inside of every single being, yet things are starting to turn around for the worse. You know, much like the bible, its true that many people out there are starting to feel unwanted. It goes way deeper than that. Not a week goes by where I don't read quotes like "If people mean anything to you, they will make the effort to text or talk to you". The sad truth is that's how people feel out there, that people aren't available for them or that they aren't among the main priority. Some people out there can't even get into strong friendships, meaningful relationships or even engage in conversations because of the pain they've been through in the past. They've allowed their experience to create scars in their lives that diminish their value. Frankly I understand. But I am being constantly reminded that, that is exactly how I've been treating the bible; barely reading it but always placing it in my bag, only for it to be ruined by various things. sometimes I'd even lose it from time to time. As I speak right now it's not even anywhere near me. My point is, even though I've done so much to it, it still changes my life every time I read it. It yet remains intact and despite the physical and spiritual pain I have caused, it continues to heal me. Which brings me to my favourite verse (Isaiah 40:8, "the grass wither and flowers fade, but the word of God remains forever"). The reason I decided to carry my bible alone was because I received some kind of conviction as if to say "you know you don't need this bag and yet you would carry it because you want to place your bible in it, what are you hiding from people? Are you ashamed that people will ask about it if they see you, isn't that kind of the point? Wow!!! How could to word of God speak so loud and clear even when it's closed. When I don't read it, it speaks out to me.... surely you can do the same to people who treat you less than expected.

So what's the point?
Did you know that so much is expected of you despite your struggles?  Truth is we have all gone through some ugly situations in our lives that may lead us to believe that we ourselves are ugly and filthy both in and out. The real truth is you can use those situations as testimonies to edify so many people in similar situations. Oppression will always come to taint you but how many times are you willing to show oppression your inner beauty?  I recently heard a song where a guy said that he lives in possibly the worst neighbourhood ever but he refuses to leave because he's the only source of bible that the people in that neighbourhood know. This is probably the same guy that faces danger and physical pain nearly every single day... how is he able to do it ? Bible says " To whom much is given, much is expected" (Luke 12:48). So since we have been given the eternal word, how long will you refuse to see the beauty inside, which is, the beauty that gives eternity?

To conclude, we all carry beauty inside of us. The pains and scars are a part of us but they are responsible for the beautiful testimonies that come out of them. Much like the bible, we are often "Beat up", torn, gone through rain or even weighed down. Yet, the beauty inside is the word we contain, the stories we have and the ability to rise above and not give up. Embrace that beauty.

P.s everything does happen for a reason... I could have missed out on this revelation.

“The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.” ― P.C. Cast

And that's not #Omni
God bless you for reading

Photo Identity

Hello all trust you are well? I'm fantastic. Let's get to business. First of all I'd like to open with a confession that I haven't been doing much of the reading of the word recently which might explain my inconsistency from time to time (please stay rooted). However, God being God, still manages to use me and trust me I don't take that for granted one bit. For that reason alone I will not do much of the "bible bashing", so as not to lead anyone astray. May this message serve its purpose as you read. Amen.

A couple of months back I went to this youth ball that I never considered I'd learn anything from. Needless to say my initial reason for going there was mainly for the food, but God had other plans I guess. Through the music, food, smiles and dancing, came a time where one of the youth leaders was given a few minutes to talk on the theme of being part of the "Royal priesthood". He figured that as children of God it was good that we should know where we stand in this world. He spoke in length about us getting to know who we were and our true identity, most of which I can't really remember (sigh). There's one thing that he said that remains embedded in my brain till today and it was this: "Don't struggle trying to be someone else because no one else can be you, better than you". This was enough for me to be honest. If you're going to strive to be like someone else, who is going to live your own life with your own identity. This might sound so cliché but we do this all the time and it might sound so common now but the reason why it is so is because the problem is still there. Many of us follow the lifestyle of our role models and yet in that process we lose ourselves. That alone can explain the mass depression in our society. I have so much to say about that.

What I study centres around behaviour and the two common terms are conformity (complying with others for social acceptance) and social norms (socially accepted behaviour in our community). I bet my two cents (just in case I'm wrong) that we are all victims of this. Have you done something extreme for someone for the sake of belonging, even to the point that it hurts you ? To what end bro (and sis).
Let me be real with you real quick. Do you know it's possible that you've lost part of your identity so much that you've become really partial even with your race, let alone your identity in Christ (I'll focus on my race if that's cool) ? Have you been told that black people are too loud so much that you've even stopped even sitting at the back of the bus? Have you even found yourself saying "ahhh black people"?  Have you started praying and worshipping a certain way because you were told black people pray too loud, dance way too wreck-less and shout when they sing? Who told you that God doesn't love that part about you? I know I'm strange but I believe Heaven is a very big place and since it is so big surely it can contain so many personalities. That means it is quite possible that in one area of heaven, will lie men and women who will kneel and worship in silence. Some will speak very few words. Some will sing heart felt slow songs and by God's grace some will express themselves in the stereotypes you see in "sister act" and "Big Momma". Part of your identity means embracing who you are, even the craziest or loud nature that is in you. Your identity in Christ is about giving Him your all, in your own way. Why give Him what somebody else's is giving Him?

Now let me get personal. There was a time when my friends prevented me from drinking alcohol. They knew that wasn't me. I didn't understand how they could drink but didn't allow me to conform. Truth is God will work so hard to preserve your identity so much that He will use your friends against you. Haha I remember one of them said "your dad is a pastor, you want to send us straight to hell?" What I couldn't see then was that sometimes the world will reject you before you have to reject it, and that's because you're not a part of it.

I'll end at this. Just be yourself, and enjoy it. If you're old, be old, if you're young, embrace your youth and don't grow up too fast. Finally remember this, You might get away with a fake ID in this world. Heaven is a different club.

“Jesus came to announce to us that an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity- an illusion! Loudly and clearly he says: 'You are not what the world makes you; but you are children of God.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen,

And that's not #Omni
God bless you all for reading.

The work Experience: Christomer Service

If upon reading this message you learn nothing from what I'm about to write in this post today I pray you can take this with you; If you find that recently you haven't been feeling 100 % in your faith or for some reason you've been feeling kind of distant with God, now is not the time to pull back. In fact, this is the time when God sets out to test His true children. Stay just a little longer I can guarantee that God will use you to do great wonders. I believe that God was really starting to inspire me but in the process of trying to find myself I got too distracted. I for one am tired of starting something with my life and just abandoning it in the end. Aren't you ?

A couple of months ago at work we had what is called the "Mid-season sale"  which required a lot of preparation beforehand, a lot of head-wrecking from the manager, a lot of "doing the impossible" to drive sales and frankly a lot of grief taking from both colleagues and customers. It was epic. During the preparation beforehand I learnt something afterwards that I hadn't seen at that time. One particular morning we were introduced to a new way of driving sales and hitting daily targets (I'm talking making thousands of euros through products). They figured that the heart of it all was excellent "customer service". The store itself had been ranked as one of the top 5 in Ireland. On that ranking the store also received some feedback on how deal with customers. As workers, we were encouraged to greet customers during the time they'd enter the store. From time to time, it was up to us to make sure that we checked up on them in case they needed a size or if they needed a second opinion. Often times more than once we noticed that there were a lot of people that needed our assistance but it was just that they couldn't approach us for reasons unknown. This simple method allowed us to drive more sales and hit higher numbers within our given targets. And just like that, I was inspired to open my eyes and apply what I had learnt into something more purposeful with my life. I welcome you the end of the world "salvation sale". The heart of it all ?, "Christomer service"  (God bless my corniness).

It goes without say that "Christomer service is clearly made up, but the message behind it, I trust, will serve to be inspiring to both reader and creative writer alike. I cant remember where I heard this but I was once told that everyone, being unique and everything, have distinct destinies just to suit our needs and personalities given the fact that God has known us from the womb and knows exactly what we want in life (Cool right ?). However, we but share one thing in our destinies that not only benefits us all but also suits God's needs and personality; aiding in preaching the gospel and enlarging the the kingdom of heaven (stay with me). One of the ways in doing this is through service. Service is known as "the action of helping or doing work for someone". The bible encourages us to learn to serve one another before we even consider wanting to be served ourselves (Mark 10:35-45). I have seen the benefit of this at work so what more can it do in churches and out there in the rest of the world?

I remember explaining to someone that I didn't give my life to Christ because the Holy Spirit made me do the Harlem shake or anything like that. It was simply the love that people had for me at that time that made me feel like I was part of a race pursuing the same goal. Truth be said I received the best service ever because till today I attend church. Because they loved me even though they barely knew me, it made it so much easier for me to believe that God loves every sinner. That's how everyone out there wants to feel like. This is our part to play. Unfortunately we don't do this much often or as often as we should.

Reflection time:
A few blogs back I wrote that "retail may lose sales, but heaven may lose souls". I now have a better understanding of this. Going to work has allowed me to consider questions in my head like "Imagine living in a world where God gave us targets as to how many souls we were to win everyday?" Truth be told we would come short everyday and yet we aim to reach targets at work and we'd do everything in our strength to reach them. Think of the people you see everyday and ignore. Sometimes even saying "hi" is a problem. Even upon talking to them how many can say they have built up the courage to talk to them about God? Forget the outside world for a second and just look at the church you're in. How many christians in there are truly saved. I've come to realise that it is especially in the church that people have the deepest quesions about the lord they serve that go unanswered. Reason being is because we assume, just like the silent customers, that they dont need our help and therefore no edification is fulflied. People just wont approach you for reasons uknown but you have to make it your business to approach them with wisdom and do your work. It all starts with a "Hi how are you?" and watch the Spirit go to work.

I will end with this. You might have heard before that everyone out there is going through one situation or the other that no one knows about so becareful what you say. That to me sounds like an opportunity to rest one's burden. I believe in a world that truly seeks out to help one another to reach the same purpose. Silence has never done anything but helped a fool appear to be wise. Yet you that has wisdom, how are you using it ?

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”- Mahatma Gandhi

And thats not #Omni
God bless you for reading.