Happy Children’s Day.

By Dr jalarth Uche Opara

Years ago, today comes with fun activities. A day looked forward to. Anxiousness, sleepless night caused not by worries and challenges of life but by the joy of trekking miles to participate in a match pass, armed with nothing but coconut and other home sourced snacks for refreshment.

Recounting those memories to this generation would look like a suicide venture to them. For us then, it was fun, an adventure beyond the value of Gold.

Today May 27, instead of reminiscencing those years shelved in the archives, unfolding another dimension of May 27th becomes important. Beyond the Government intentionality to celebrate school children, it further reminds us of our eternal status as children of God, one status that has value, honour and respect above others.

To ones parents, one remains a child regardless of any attainment, achievement and visibility.

Today, beside other considerations, is a call to revalue our position before God. A moment to check if one is still a child, a son, daughter before God or have upgraded to the position of Man of God, man of fire, General Overseer, CEO etc. As good as these titles are, they should not be allowed to become our mindset, our obsession and carriage before God.

Child of God by valuation is far greater than “Man of God”, “Papa”, “Elder”, “Evang”. “Dr”. “Prof”. “Pastor” etc. Oftentimes we get offended, and fly off the handle either secretly or overly when such appellations are not appropriately and accordingly accorded.

Such is a signal of the festering of vices of pride and stifling of the tendrils of humility in ones heart.

Those with the disposition of children would enter into the kingdom of God. A kingdom already in one, which may remain inactive due to these vices. The Kingdom of God is already in us just as the Holy Spirit is. One either activates and enjoys its fullness by being a child of God or deactivates it, longing with obsession for the mantle and garlands of empty titles.

I am better with the title —A child of God, Son of God etc. Better a child and Son of God than anything else. Happy Children’s day , for in God’s presence our children-hood opens portals of access than anything else.

Jarlathuche@gmail.com