Cokoye

They Remained Restless and Tireless


I pondered on those men and women the bible told us about, who walked the path of God. They were people who remained restless and tireless in their quest for God. Some abandoned their homes for the onward calling of heaven; some lived perpetually in isolation in a bid to access the power of heaven to the fullest; others faced rejection, antagonism and persecution, and yet held their peace.


To these fellows, God was the priority. Nothing made sense outside God. They wouldn't take a step if it wasn't God that asked them to do so. Their souls craved and cried passionately for the presence of God. They sought God on the mountains, caves, valleys, wilderness, on the tree and wherever they felt He could be found.


They ignored the promptings of their freshly passions. They disconnected from environments and people that could contaminate them. They followed straight on God's commands. Indeed, the Lord was their portion in the land of the living. So many names flooded my heart, people like Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Elijah, Esther, Ruth, Deborah and many others.


Another name that persistently nagged at my heart was Mary Magdalene. I looked at her life and concluded she was a lover of God. Her love was deep and unwavering. Not even death could separate her from Jesus. While it was still dark, early in the morning, she went in search of Jesus. She stood outside the tomb weeping, when she noticed the stone had been removed and the body of Jesus was missing. She was even ready to go and retrieve the body of Jesus from wherever it had been deposited. Where would she have the energy to carry a dead body? She wasn't afraid of the soldiers who were guarding the tomb. Her love killed her fears.


What mattered to her was encounter with Jesus. She could do anything- anything whatsoever - to have that encounter. She didn't leave the tomb until Jesus appeared to her. As I reflected on this woman of faith, I couldn't help asking myself "What was pushing this woman?"


I found the answer in 2 Corinthians 5:14 which says "For the love of Christ urges us on." Then I realised we need to experience the love of Christ. I wailed, "Lord, fill me with your love." This love of Christ can keep a man on his knees for hours; it can drag your prayers through the night; it can make you forgive your greatest enemy; it can push you to the streets to preach the gospel; it can make you spend your last penny on charity. It is extraordinary, supernatural and mysterious.


Can we ask God to fill us with his love, even if it's just a little drop?


(C) Fr. Stan-Collins Ubaka @ July, 2020.
🗣? The Voice of Faith