A Conversation

M: Oh God, I can’t go on singing praises to you.

J: Why?

M: People around keeps on distracting me. I really can’t go on doing this without having to think about them too.

J: May I know what’s too bothersome you about them?

M: See that guy on red shirt with his hands lifted so high and that lady holding the microphone? I caught them once kissing inside the male’s comfort room last week. That guy is the boyfriend of my sister’s friend.

How about that man seated on the second seat in front row? He was once the head of the ministry I involved in. He’s a chauvinist. He commands like we’re slaves; he badmouths like a jealous wife or an obsessive-compulsive mother.

And that lady holding a black pouch under her arms, she has this ill reputation of talking too much and spreading rumors in the company she works in. She was the cause of the ouster of one of her colleague and the break up of this couple who used to go to church together. Now, the two don’t attend church anymore.

I could name a few more. But mind you, I can’t stand the people around me.

J: So what’s that got to do with praising me?

M: I don’t know. Maybe they just bother me too much I find them hypocritical, you know, like modern day Pharisees and obviously, intentional sinners.

J: And how about you?

M: I know I am also a sinner and all; but at least I’m not overtly proud raising my hands and showy in my praises. And I’m always cautious not to sin, at least, not as much as before. You know, I have changed a lot since I got here.

J: I know, I know. But don’t you see, just like you, they…they are work in progress?

M: You mean, it is okay to sin and praise, only to sin more and praise again?

J: Remember grace? It was a freebie to the many wonderful promises handed to you when you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior.

It’s the Father’s way of saying I understand you kid. I know that the path I wanted you to tread is not easy, there will be humps and bumps and you will fall, again and again. Again and again.

And whether it is by choice or chance, I am not so much in a hurry about your perfection. In fact, I am not even concerned about you becoming perfect. What I am concerned with is that with every fall, you learn and try to get up not by your own strength but by my grace. Learning is not a New York minute.

M: But they’re Christians now! They made a pact with you.

J: Yeah, and as Christians you’re more attractive to tests and trials, even failures. That’s the road you are supposed to take. That’s where your character is formed, uniquely, in the Father’s way. Christianity, you see, is not just about me. It’s about building a character, your character. Do you think character is formed when you just sit and relax and don’t go into the real test?