PHILIPPIANS 1:27-28
“WHATEVER HAPPENS, CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. THEN,WHETHER I COME AND SEE YOU OR ONLY HEAR ABOUT YOU IN ABSENCE, I’LL KNOW THAT YOU STAND FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT, STRIVING TOGETHER AS ONE FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL; WITHOUT BEING FRIGHTENED IN ANYWAY BY THOSE WHO OPPOSE YOU”.( NIV)
The most difficult thing anybody can ever handle is to be opposed by people you love. The hostility, hard words, hatred and misunderstanding can be so difficult, especially for a preacher, believer or a philanthropist.
People can get so intimidated by opposition and hatred that, they retreat and go underground. They retain their ideas, but no longer practice them for fear of being attacked or victimised by their “perceived opponents”. They continue to do good, preach love, peace and understanding but not in the presence of their opponents. Sometimes, people behave just exactly as their opponents; they develop “thick skins that are so thick that,they really don’t care about what others think or about those who love them.
When I was in the secondary school, I wasn’t particularly a “good” boy. I had disciplinary issues from my previous schools. It was therefore shocking for many of my friends, including myself to hear that, I was shortlisted for vetting for the position of Senior Prefect. All my friends suddenly pitched camp with my opponents. There were nasty writings on the walls about my past and linked me to every bad issue on campus. Many of these writings were coming from friends who lived with me in the same dormitory, we slept on the same bed, ate and did everything together. On the day we were to deliver our manifestos, nobody sat by me or accompanied me to the Hall like my colleagues. As a matter of fact, my entrance was met with “booes” and unprintable words. Outrage, Fear, Confusion, Nostalgia, Withdrawal and Suicide were the only responses that were running through my mind. Many years down the lane, I have come to appreciate that, “opposition is a true friend”. I lost the elections miserably, but I won the hearts of many with my clever speech and sense of humour. It also afforded me the opportunity to be made the dinning hall prefect, one of the most important offices in any secondary school every student wants.
Many believers have the hardest time of being meek in the midst of opposition. In my personal opinion, it is better to face opposition than to face apathy. Apathy usually comes from people who don’t understand you, opposition knows what you are about, so they will deliberately peddle lies and slander to obstruct your journey…
To be cont..
Stay blessed always and remember to love someone and mean it.
#sociallysignificant #Lukebarson #Libertybreakfast
Rev. Prophet Luke Luki Barson is the Senior Pastor at Liberty House Christian Centre at Tema Community 25.
He has studied at the University of Ghana, the Methodist University College and the Christian Service University College.
He is currently a PhD student at the University of South Africa.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
