Arts and Life
Ahead of 100 days closure @ Zion.
Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com
Few weeks ago I did a piece in, piecing together my thoughts on the ministry of Evangelist Ebuka Obi a.k.a Zion Ministry. It was my personal experience of where the ministry is presently sited in Okpala in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area in Imo State.
It left in the minds of people the assurance of uncommon development loading in Okpala. Not a white washing statement, geared to romance people’s emotions.
Today , those in the real estate are by day smiling to the bank, as people fall on top of themselves struggling to buy plot/plots of land in Okpala, a place nobody before now would have cared for a plot on gratis.
The story has changed with many more development in the offine, all because of Zion ministry presence.
Soon, many ancestral homes in Eziama, Amala ntu and environs would be remodelled and turned into hospitality homes for the huge crowd of souls seeking for God’s miracles, signs and wonders would be exceedingly massive.
Few days ago, I watched clips of Zion members doing some voluntary works on ground in preparation for the main event. I saw dedication ,commitment, zeal etc as they went about volunteering.
As I watched them under rain and sun, carry blocks etc what came to my mind was the gospel of Jn 6.26
When Jesus saw the multitude moving towards him like ants, he knew what they were looking for. For for him? surely not. For his words? Certainly not. For the bread he gave them previously? Ewu na eso onye bu igu( It is only a person that carries palm front that a goat follows) Remove the palm fronts, not too sure the goat would have the hunger to continue to follow.
In as much as I don’t discountenance the worries, challenges and difficulties people pass through daily and their cry for solutions; the gospel of Mathew 6. 33 seek you first the kingdom of and his righteousness everything else will be added to you seem to be left in a refrigerator to be calming down by 90% of Christians.
What was it like at the early part of Christianity in Africa when missionaries brought Christianity to our forefathers? What then was their priority or drive? Material things or sincere seek of God’s way? Miracles, signs and wonders? Or the word of God preached undiluted?
By the way, did the early missionaries known for signs and wonders? Razzling and dazzling our fore fathers with the kind of miracles and signs that have become the centre of our seek for God? Just being curious.
Our Christian practices have become driven largely by sincere but desperate seeking for miracles. A pattern that leaves many with a faint knowledge of who God is , the giver of the miracles, signs and wonders, we have become obsessed for.
Was it like this in the beginning? What happened? More witches and wizards , more troubles, more spiritual attacks etc than they were before?
90% of persons that identify with Zion ministry without sounding condescending, sincerely do so, not to know Jesus deeply, get broken and make their bodies living sacrifices to God, with the mindset of “even if he doesn’t heal me, he is still my God” rather their approach could be akin to that invalid by the pool for 38 years looking for miracles when the water is stired. He was so obsessed by that even when Jesus appeared to him, he never recognised him.
Miracles and signs and wonders are great, but knowing Jesus personally is the best trust me. Miracles and signs and wonders are great and could be a step towards knowing God deeply. However, if what you seek is Miracles, if what drives you is signs etc then you may unknowingly bevdoing your self a great disservice.
With the way and manner this present breed of Christians pine for miracles like the deer to a running stream, it would be surprising if they don’t choose miracles, signs and wonders over God, the giver of the miracles.
The truth which many would find too bitter a pill to swallow is, knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection is a miracle itself ,capable of breaking chains of subjugation, attack etc.
Sadly ,we have become too in a hurry to be incubated, quary to pattern, in the image and likeness of God. Rather driven by what I have called for lack of better word, fast food spiritual mindset
May our passion to know God deeply and intimately overshadow our crazy craves for miracles, signs and wonders, more like putting the cart before the horse, our albatrose most often!
As you round off your 100 days prayers and fasting, beyond the miracles, signs and wonders, seek Him, His power of resurrection, knowing him deeply and ready to make your body a living sacrifice.
God will help us!
Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com