Another morning to be grateful. Peace has spread out her warm blanket, yet this brainchild is deep in meditation. Yes, it is a reflection of the thoughts of the Most High on man’s actions. Does he regard the intentions that drive his actions or teach man knowledge and yet have no proper understanding of man? Isn’t he the God of all knowledge, in whom actions are weighed? Oh, Light Bearer! The devil is after your light. Does God understand our plight as humans? Does he lower his almighty standards to accommodate us? Perhaps this is what we expect; that he overlooks our excesses. Does he understand us when to entertain friends, we say things we don’t mean, tagging it a joke? If he does, then I think that the punishment for Ananias and Sapphira was way beyond. Wasn’t it just lies they had told? Does God let us bear candles without lights? Oh, Light Bearer! The Lord expects your light to shine. Does he not see our hearts or can we bamboozle the Lord of Hosts? Has he lost the ability to reveal deep and secret things? Does he no longer know what is in the dark or does light no longer dwell with him? What is the fuss about being smart, the kind that would mock rather than please God? Does smartness in itself not come from God? Of what use is light if it has become dim? People cannot hope to see when our light is dim. Oh, Light Bearer! How has the light you bear grown dim? Why can’t I listen to any song I like or go places where I stand a chance of exposure to sin now or later? “Is this event not going to be a one-time thing? “You can just dress like every other person today, it’s not like you’ve ever dressed indecently.” “Will this decision not harm weak brethren?”, I ask. They are quick to respond with “Well, if the brethren choose to yield to lust, then it is their problem and not yours, nothing should stop you from slaying to this event”. A little leaven leavened the whole lump. Oh, Light Bearer! Look how you’ve adapted to your dim light. Isn’t the reason I don’t preach Christ to my friends because I’m not Christ-like myself? I am only different from them on Sundays. What was I going to say to them? Something I don’t live out from Monday to Saturday? Isn’t my secret life dreadful even to me? Isn’t my secret life worse than that of the renowned drunkard just across the street? My light should shine before men but it isn’t even burning, how then will it shine. Oh, Light Bearer! The Lord wants to rekindle your light. Who even made the rule that says I cannot cheat in an exam? Okay, show me where it is written in the holy book. Just an answer from my neighbor is not enough to put off the light of righteousness that I should bear. Last week I went to church to show off my new shoes, and yes, you would not have known my intentions. Only God does. I made sure to lead praises that day. Deep within I knew God was not pleased but I have got to keep doing what I do. The pastor would not know unless you, my reader, spill my little secret. Oh, Light Bearer! Your dim light has failed to show men the way. Amid my questions, I understood that God’s standard has not and will not change. I learned that God sees in secret yet chooses to reward openly. God still reveals deep and secret things, and he can transform our secret lives if we would only let him. He indeed knows the thoughts of men; that they are futile, and he admonishes us to come sincerely that he may light up our lives and men may see our good deeds. Oh Light Giver, give light to my candles yet again and I will praise you. Help me to burn and shine evermore, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Eze Paul Obinna