HOW A CHRISTIAN LIFE SHOULD LOOK LIKE

By Dr jarlat Uche opara

This is the best sountane I have seen ever. I have seen plenty in different sizes and colours with different designs, this one stands out.

Not very appealing to the eyes but the things it symbolises gives it a brand of Christain beacon. It embodies virtues, values, morals, integrity, charity, forgiveness, love, forbearance etc.

These black stains on it are scars of the very love, forgiveness, charity etc that were drawn from it by those that needed them. The very things needed at a time to oxygenate their lives from deadness to life.

Our lives as Christians are not measured by the lump sum that we drop as offerings and donations. Though good and fantastic but not the very measure of our lives as Christians.

Our lives as Christians are rather measured by the very scars caused by the love we give unconditionally, the forgiveness granted, the joy and happiness we give , the forbearance that we endured for the sake of others, the charity we give and the sacrifices we endured for others to smiles.

All these do not go out from someone without marks and scars. Show me your marks and scars, the stains and burns, the tear and ruffle, the squeeze and strains of your virtues for the sake of others, only then would I know the depth of Christ in you.

This was the sountane late Saint Pope John-Paul ll wore when he was shot. He survived it. Those blood stains were not just blood stains, beyond the stains and beyond his survival were deeper expressions of what kept him alive from the bullets of a well trained trigger happy assassin. Beyond God’s protection were his values , virtues for the asking for those who had contacts with him, the magic of his survival.

May our lives be such a sweet offerings offered to God with smokes of love shared, scars of smiles expressed, stains of charity given, ruffle of sacrifices made for others to experience Christ through us unconditionally.

Jarlathuche@gmail.com