I believe so I say it
I walk it so I talk it
But every day I learn
This walk is harder
Than the talking of it
And every day I must choose
To believe what I know
Or dump it for what I see:
The choices, mine to make
Consequences, bound with each.
Lately, I have been reading of Christians who have chosen to no longer be or live what they once believed, as well as the opinions of those who are disappointed. Such news make my heart heavy and draw me to my knees. They make me go back to Father wondering; why, what went wrong, and if there is hope left for such a person? Such news have me thinking deeper, reflecting over my own life; praying for them, for those who are out there wandering and wondering, for others who remain standing in spite of all, and for myself. I want to speak God’s truth but I also want to be able to do that in the character that is so God: compassion!
Truth be told: Christianity is not an easy path. Life is not always easy but a life of faith is in no way easier. Preachers and Teachers who call people to faith with paintings of roses without thorns do more damage than good. Christ never sugar-coated the gospel and the consequences of living it to the early believers. I have been a Christian almost all of my days on earth and my life can attest in all sincerity that it is not an easy way to live. Persecution that trailed my choice of faith took me from the place of “esteem” to being ridiculed, maligned and lied about by those who looked beneath their noses at my ‘poor choice’ that was expected to end me up as a good-for-nothing. I lost family, relatives and friends, some of whom were not regained despite the restorations that came later on. Those loses were not easy to bear. Still it was a choice to continue or to give up, a tough one I must confess.
As a young engineer thrust early in my career into leadership positions among men who felt they were older and knew better, standing for truth pitted me against those who wanted to make quick money. They interpreted my refusal to allow, participate or condone stealing as being mean. “She won’t take it, she won’t share in it, and she won’t let others get it, still she calls herself a Christian…,” hiss! I can’t count how many times I was set up, ganged up against, and lies spun just to get me out so they could have free access to their targets. It was not easy daily walking my faith in the midst of their endless traps. Still it was a choice to always remember that I am a Christian before I am an engineer or whatever profession or position I may be or will ever be occupying, and to persist in ensuring the right thing is done irrespective of consequences.
Being a Christian has never been cheap, especially if you are living faithful to that call. It is a very costly lifestyle. It costs everyone who chooses to live it and it can cost everything. Undeniably though, it saves us so much more than we can ever estimate, known and unknown. Still, it is a choice we have to make every day we wake up: to continue to believe and press on against all odds, or to discard what we once believed and turn the other way. Whichever way, it is not an easy choice as is reflected in our lives, in the lives of many others who continue the walk, as well as for those who decide they have had enough.
To be continued.
Glory!