I went to church yesterday (Sunday). For some of us, that’s pretty routine stuff (it was my routine for a long time – until recently) but for me, it was a major step…in the right direction. And for all you unholy minds out there, it was not for the purpose you are thinking (marriageable ladies, job opportunities, etc); it was just for the original intended purpose of church going – worshipping God. As expected, I was greeted with smiles, and hugs, and handshakes, and many “how and where have you been”? The Word was spirit-lifting; I jumped, and shouted and halleluyahed as loud as I could. I felt good, until the Pastor began to preach. Which made me feel even better, until he said that only a personal relationship with God can guarantee the many benefits that he had spoken about (my major reason for feeling good). Deep soul-searching was prompted (going to church after a rather long hiatus, and then hearing a sermon there kinda does that to you – except of course your heart is hardened…lol) and this piece was inspired.
I looked at my life in the last year and thought to give an honest assessment on the level of my relationship with God, mainly from the viewpoint of how much I have been able to adhere to the tenets of Mosaic Law, which is the benchmark for measuring morality and right conduct before God and man. Yeah, yeah, I can hear people saying that only Jesus can save. I know that, perhaps a lot more than I let on, and my attempt at relationship building with Him is work-in-progress; I really am working on it. But in this article, I attempt a soul-search (and I recommend same for you reading) to know the extent to which I have broken these tenets of divinely-acceptable behaviour towards God and man.
So please enjoy (or endure) my scorecard. I hope it inspires you to do your personal investigation and help you to adopt the right behaviour towards God and your fellow man. Maybe, just maybe, we can then find the right mix for the social re-orientation that our country in the light of the ongoing ‘re-branding’ (only God knows how they think to achieve it based on the psyche of the current populace) exercise really needs.
Note: The Commandments are quoted from Exodus 20 and are italicized.
I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.
Scorecard: 4
Analysis: Technically, I have not broken this commandment. I still swear my allegiance to the One God, and I recognize none other. However, having God and serving Him are two different issues altogether, and while I have done as expected in the having part, the serving part has suffered quite considerably.
Way Forward: Well, like I said, I’m W-I-P
You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, But showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Scorecard: 4
Analysis: Another tricky but clear one. We don’t live in the era where customs and traditional lore hold strong sway so no, I don’t have any images carved out somewhere in my closet that I go to kneel to and mumble incoherently in the name of incantation and worship. But then, the idea is that if you got anything that takes more of your time than God does, then that your idol. On that note, I have failed rather woefully (don’t mind the four, it’s the lowest grade…lol), cos I’ve got my laptop and the many series I’m addicted to, work and the long hours, girlfriend(s) and thei(he)r issues, and the list goes on. Hell, yesterday was my first time in church in a while, so yeah, on this point, I need plenty of help.
Way Forward: I can’t honestly say I’ll give up everything for God; don’t think I have the grace to do that. But I’m trying to ensure that God has my time, as much as possible.
You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Scorecard: Another 4
Analysis: Another poor result. Really? Well, this one’s a no-brainer. I practically fail at this one EVERYDAY. I tried, but bad habits die hard. Even though my strategy at the moment is to expunge the Lord from my swear vocabulary, I still find myself saying “God!” or “Christ!” when I hit my foot on something or things are screwing up unlike I planned. Lord, I’m sorry and I need help here.
Way Forward: Vocab discipline. It’s hard but I’m getting there
[Earnestly] remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (withdrawn from common employment and dedicated to God). Six days you shall labor and do all your work, But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, your domestic animals, or the sojourner within your gates.
Scorecard: 5
Analysis: An infinitesimal improvement. Well, I guess Sabbath in its original context of not working at all don’t apply no more (I’m just thinking of how many people would pray to actually have it in place again – seeing as they now work from Monday to Monday…it sucks, I know), so I try on this count. But as they say, “Oyibo no dey pay money for try”, so yet again, I perform below par. Okay, so no Sabbath. No stay put in your house and do nada. But the instruction is so that we can go serve God in His temple, or church, or whatever applies, and on that note…yeah, another F grade.
Way Forward: I have decided to imbibe the habit of being in church every chance I can get. Last Sunday was a start, and the momentum’s rising.
Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.
Scorecard: 6.5
Analysis: First time, I get a grade above 4. Clap for me! My parents I love and respect. I do not necessarily agree with them all the time, but I respect them. They only have a vague idea of the man I am now because I respect them too much to let them into my current lifestyle. And I try to support them as much as I can even though my limited salary (and the other consumers in line for the meager cash) do not permit me to do so to my heart’s delight. But with their shortcomings, and trust me, the list is loooong, I will not trade them for anything. God bless you Reverend Sunday Okon and Mrs. Affiong Nseabasi Tommy. I love you.
You shall not commit murder.
Scorecard: 8
Analysis: Well, what more can I say? Blood scares me, I have been in only two fights in my life (the first with my immediate younger brother, and the second with a pseudo-bully in JS 3), and I look like I could never hurt a fly. My only weapon? My mouth. So, no. I have not killed anybody; physically at least. On using my mouth to kill, well, I think I have also fared well on that count. I may have said hurtful things to people, but my words have never reached life-threatening proportions, thank God. So on this point, I’m good. But not so much the next one.
You shall not commit adultery.
Scorecard: 4
Analysis: Well, I guess on this point, I can afford some level of cold comfort by saying that it is the easiest transgression that a full-blooded man can fall victim to, but then, I digress. I have not committed adultery, and personally, I do not intend to. Fornication is my poison. Not good too, but safer than its equally ignoble other brother (or sister, depending on how you choose to see it). How safer? Not in terms of STIs or HIV or anything; those are by the way. My major concern is that while fornication only ensures punishment from God, adultery pitches the offender against two dangers: God, and a God-assisted, emotionally-bruised, and really pissed-off husband! And trust me, God’s gonna help him catch the offender – and I certainly don’t want that.
Way Forward: I’ll get married, as soon as I can afford it!
You shall not steal.
Scorecard: 5.5
Analysis: Okay, I admit. Another major Achilles heel a while back. For us all though (quickly forgotten how many times you helped yourself to some of the allures in Mummy’s pot or Daddy’s pocket?). But I try. I guess the fear of getting caught and a turn-around of fortunes have kinda killed that habit. But I still swindle conductors out of transport fares (it’s retribution – they or their kind have taken my change too before), and all those other small cases of petty theft.
Way Forward: I’m trying to go cold turkey. Will tell you when.
You shall not witness falsely against your neighbor.
Scorecard: 6.5
Analysis: I’m not a saint, but I’ve tried to ensure that my statements about others have been truthful and factual, at least to the tune of 85%. Okay, I’ve said a few lies about people here and there (not necessarily proud of it) but I have not been accused of perjury, at least not yet, not ever.
Way Forward: Continue as I have been doing; know my facts about others before I say it
You shall not covet your neighbor's house, your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.
Scorecard: 7.5
Analysis: I’m ambitious, not covetous. When I see success, I’m inspired to emulate it, not steal it. True, sometimes, I go green with envy but I try to catch myself. I still steal glances at people’s girlfriends (note that I did not say wives, but girlfriends), or cars, or houses, but then, a brother can dream, right?
In all, I cannot be said to have fared badly, though I’ve not put in a stellar performance either. However, as I have always said, I am a living and breathing Work-In-Progress, and I’m in great need of God’s help – as are you.
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