Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter: Reflection by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

YOU CAN'T DO WITHOUT GOD

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(John 15:1-8)

Our need for God cannot be overemphasized. Jesus harps on the fact that we can't be productive on our own without His assistance just as a branch can't bear fruit by itself unless it abides with the vine.

Do you know your need for God? Do you feel the desire to involve God in the matters concerning you? You can't get to your expected level if He's not there for you. You can't reach your destiny without Him. Why are you doing it all by yourself? Why are you taking instructions from forces outside of God?  Why do you allow that knife to cut you off from the Lord, the source of your life, of your inspiration, of your joy and your all?

Listen, dear child of God, if you're already bearing fruit in whatever aspect of your life, be wise. Be careful. You may be cut off with those fruits without your knowing. Yes, it happens. There are winds that want to cut you off for you to remain alone, apart from God, for you to become nothing from what the Lord has made you to be.

Have you not seen the branch of mango tree or pear tree with fruits, promising harvest blown down by the wind before? When it happens what do you notice? There on the ground, it looks as if it is alive, as if it will survive, as if it has no need of the stock. But give it some time, it withers and dies.

You will be living in falsehood if you're believing that you can live without God, that you can achieve it apart from God, that you can succeed on your own. You will not make it for a long time. So do not be deceived about what you feel when you're not working and walking with Christ. The crises will certainly strike. You need the Lord to give you life.

Let us in humility today and always confess our need for God. It is not good for you to be alone. He creates for you a way out, an avenue for happiness. Accept the divine offer of God's holy, saving and abiding presence. We need God in matters of security here in our country. The armed forces cannot save us, the talismans can't save us. Belonging to this group or that can't save us. Only God will deliver us. Only with Him shall we achieve the goal of our life spiritually, politically, economically, pastorally and otherwise.

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, we thank You for seeing our helplessness and reminding us to do our best and yet remain bonded with You. Help us not to be separated from You by any force whatsoever. May we succeed by your grace for we depend on You. May we be ever productive and may our society blossom in fruitfulness and abundance of peace, joy and progress through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless your Wednesday (Easter, Week 5)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh