One Day I Woke Up
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
He asked me, "Do you love me?"
I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and
Saviour!"
Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped,
would you still love me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the
rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the
things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord,
but I would still love You."
Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still
love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still
loved God and His creation.
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would
still love you."
The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you
still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I
understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our
hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your
word."
The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still
praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me:
God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we
sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are
persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered,
"Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"
I thought I had answered well, but...
God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not
perfect."
"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST?
WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and
retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly?
Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading
the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My
shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in
My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this
gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to
turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I
have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you,
but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by
as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them
all."
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond
belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried
out and the tears had flowed, I said, " Please forgive me Lord. I am
unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."
I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why
do You love me so?"
The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You
are my child. I will never abandon you."
"When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you
forever."
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so
cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do
You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced
hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time,
I truly pray.
by: OMOLARA OYEWOLE
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