I received the invitation to speak at the Inauguration Ceremony of the new Exco members of Yei Girl’s Secondary School Scripture Union last weekend with delight. I didn’t know what to expect.
Excitement was in the air when we arrived at the school. It was refreshing to learn that the Scripture Union members of this secondary school had planted a Junior Scripture Union fellowship in a neighboring primary school last term.
The elected leaders (the first) of that primary school were to be commissioned along with some of the secondary school fellowship leaders that led them to Jesus, at this Ceremony.
I observed with joy that some of the fellowship leaders in this secondary school were in the leadership of the primary school fellowship that sparked the fire I reported here exactly 3years ago.
This is what we work in the schools for. The message of fruitfulness we press these youngsters to embrace is yielding. Praise the Lord!!!
At the end of my exhortation, 12 girls stood up to make a decision to follow Jesus. I promptly asked them to pick their stuff and meet me outside immediately. I needed to hear of their struggles, encourage them and pray with them.
As we left the hall of meeting, some other girls seated behind, near the exit, giggled scornfully.
Under the shade, I praised the girls for taking this bold step and encouraged them with few more words to continue in the faith, stressing the essentials.
When I asked if anyone had a question or challenge we should pray about; everyone had something to say.
The first complained she didn’t know how to pray and always felt tired when she tried to. I asked if anyone had the same problem and all hands went up. We discussed that.
Next, one said she was ashamed and offended when her friends laughed at her as she stood up to receive Jesus. I asked if anyone else felt the same way. Yes, was every girl’s reply.
Truly, shaming is a cruel weapon in the armory of the enemy and more deadly when deployed by our friends or family.
I spoke to this too and encouraged them.
Then the bombshell.
The next girl said, “I’m a Muslim and I’m afraid that if I become a Christian today, my family will chase me out. But I want to follow Jesus. What do I do?”
I allowed the other girls some seconds to soak-in this girl’s concern with respect to their feelings of shame for the same reason.
“Which is easier, to be shamed for Jesus or to fear for your life, if you follow Him?” I asked.
No response.
I wasn’t expecting any.
Standing up to accept Jesus publicly was the greatest decision that girl will ever make. The consequences and price may be grave but the reward, unimaginably priceless. She had to know that!
As I acknowledged her faith and used her to challenge the other girls, I recalled these scriptures in Hebrews 10:32-34.
“Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God’s light had shine on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle.
You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way.
You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endure your loss gladly…”
For some disciples today, their decision for Jesus meant the loss of all they ever owned, making nonsense of the thriving prosperity gospel of our day, that promises everything will be fine here and now, and you’d have “double-double“, once you accept Jesus. This is not globally true.
What’s your cross worth?
What is your faith in Christ costing you?
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 