Life in the City (Part 7)

by Sandy Amponsah a.k.a. Kreative Sandy

"Okay. I think I can make it. I will let know you when I will come," I replied his message.

I finally got the opportunity to visit Patrick in his house and after treating to a meal he prepared, he proposed to me. My head was in the clouds. My earlier plan not to give an immediate answer failed. I let the words out so fast before i even realized.

"Yes, yes,  i want to be your girlfriend, " I said excitedly.

As I laid in bed that night, the day's event kept ringing in my mind. I could remember clearly every single word he used. I wished i could break the news to Bertha, Laudes and Anita but i knew they wouldn't be happy with it so I decided to keep it to myself for the time being.

The days that followed were everything i had dreamt about. He took me shopping and showed me his various businesses. He gave me money from time to time as well. I always had to lie to my uncle to see him. I felt guilty about it but I saw spending time with Patrick as my opportunity to enjoy the city life.

Life in the village had been quite tough. So i always prayed to have the opportunity to live in the city. Anytime, the city ladies came to my village during festive seasons, I watched them closely and hoped to be like them oneday. Now I had the opportunity and i didn't want to miss it.

"Araba, my dear, you know you can let me know of everything you need. See me as your father because that's who I really am to you. I don't want you behaving unlikely like some of the city girls do. So you can always count on me, okay," said my uncle one evening as we sat in the living room.

"Okay Uncle. Thank you very much for caring for me," i replied.

My uncle was so loving and supportive. He treated me just as he would have treated his three daughters if they were in Ghana. They were all in Canada furthering their studies. I didn't want to let him down but there was also something about Patrick i couldn't resist.

I could no longer pray or study my Bible as i ought to. My life was now committed to carving new plans of escape to Patrick's posh apartment. The guy was rich. He lived like a king. I just couldn't imagine how a young guy like him could be that rich. And to think that he loved me just melt my soul.

However, my happiness was short-lived. It began one afternoon.

"Araba, I think your phone is ringing, I can hear your ringtone from here, " Aunty Ama, my Uncle's wife, drew my attention to it as we prepared lunch.

"Okay ma. Let me put the yam on the stove and attend to it,"  I responded.

I went to my room and picked my phone. It was Patrick. He had called thrice already. I called back immediately.

"Araba, what's going on? It's almost two weeks and i haven't seen you. After all the money I've spent on you, you should be thinking of spending one weekend at my apartment, you know, " Patrick said immediately he answered the call.

"Errm.... I... I.. don't really get you. You...mean....you want me to... to... come stay....with you one weekend?" I stammered.

"You are a smart lady so you sure know what I'm talking about. Let me know when you are coming as soon as possible. I've got to go," Patrick replied.

"But Patrick, you know....," I attempted an explanation but he had cut the call...
_______________________

Lost about how we got here? Get the previous episode here: http://wp.me/p8fWJl-1D
_______________________
#Quotidian...grow daily!

Understanding the True Essence of the Gospel

by Sandy Amponsah

It is pride to think you can secure a salvation you could never earn. Now people with such mentality are sincere but they are sincerely wrong. Yes, you want to please God and live a life worthy of him. But that should be a fruit of your salvation and not the root. After salvation, the next thing to do isn't to try with all your might to live right. No! The next thing to do is to renew your mind with the Word of God; that is to change your thinking and as you do that, the change within begins to manifest. That's what the Bible means by work out your salvation with fear and trembling. It means the salvation is already in your spirit, so let it manifest through renewal of mind. It doesn't mean try to maintain your salvation.

When you try to secure your salvation what happens is that, you place yourself under the law. And under the law, sin will have dominion over you. So notice that though you are sincere and want to please God and live right, you still keep falling prey to sin. You are daily entangled with guilt, fear and condemnation. Sometimes you get tired and feel like quitting. In your heart you wonder if being a Christian is worth it. That's what trying to maintain your salvation will lead you into.

We have been called to REST. Rest here doesn't means you just sit and fold your arms. It just means the burden of your salvation is not on yourself but in Christ so you depend on him. That's what it means to be under grace. Under grace sin does not have dominion over you. This is because you recognize that you are no match for sin so you rest in him to keep you saved and to help you manifest the righteousness in you.

Don't fear that trusting solely on Christ will make you sin. On the contrary, it makes you live right effortlessly. The truth is that people who believe in the gospel of grace and depend on Christ aren't bound by sin or condemnation. The live holier lives than those who insist that we must live right to secure our salvation. Such people struggle with destructive habits in the secret then come out to condemn others. When it come to you all by yourself, you are no match for sin and the devil. But Christ already defeated sin and the devil. That is why we trust in him and as we do, we unconsciously live right.

Life in the City (Part 5)

by Sandy Amponsah a.k.a. Kreative Sandy

But I had already made up my mind. He was a great guy and could make a good husband.

One thing i also liked about him was that he was studios. Sometimes, we could go to  an empty lecture hall and study together. He would explain the things i didn't understand to me. He was a good tutor.

Studies was going well for me and i hoped to get excellent results at the end of the semester. I wanted to make my uncle and his wife proud of me. So I had to put more effort into my studies.

But I also hadn't forgotten about having a fellowship on campus.

"Anita,  do you think it is possible to have a fellowship on campus, " i asked.

"Yes, but who wants to start a fellowship on campus?" she asked back.

" I'm the one, " i responded.

" Why, don't you think Christ Nation is doing well with Christian activities on campus? She probed further

"They may be doing well but i don't like the mode of service. Sin must be frowned upon but the leaders of Christ Nation seem to encourage sin and  indiscipline," I answered.

"Don't get it wrong, no one is for sin but the way to overcome it is not to condemn people but rather to expose them to the love of God. There are many rascals whose lives have been transformed by fellowshipping with Christ Nation so don't get it wrong my dear, " Anita offered an explanation.

" The way to overcome sin is not to condemn the sinner but to show him love so he will think what he's doing is right? Well, i don't agree. Sin must be detested and preached against, " i concluded.

" I don't think it's necessary to argue about this dear, and i also don't think that having another fellowship per your reason is advisable," Anita advised.

"Okay," I responded quiet displeased.

The next day I met with Patrick in an empty lecture hall. He looked cool as usual in his white t-shirt and blue jeans. His hair looked curly and shiny and his beard was well trimmed and neat. He looked so charming. Oh my God,  never had i met a guy like this in my life.

"Hello Patrick,  whatsup?",  i greeted.

"Hello dear. I'm just doing a few readings here,  how are you doing, " He asked.

" I'm blessed, " I responded.

" Alright,  so what have you been up to? " He asked.

" Errm,  I'm thinking of starting a Christian fellowship on campus, " I said.

" Oh really," He asked hesistantly.

"Yeah,  what do you think about it? " I asked.

"I'm sorry dear but you know I'm not a fan of such Christian stuffs,  so i can't really say anything. But i think you are beautiful and smart and as for that, no one can take from you," he said with a smile as he looked directly into my eyes.

" Thanks Patrick, " I said smilingly almost blushing.

"But you will have to tell me oneday, I said, why you have such disconnection with religion."

" Haha. I hope that day never comes," He said jokingly....

To be continued....

According to Anita in this episode, "the way to overcome sin is not to condemn the sinner but to expose him to God's love" What do you make of it?
_______________________
Missed Part 4? Get it here: http://wp.me/p8fWJl-1l
_______________________
#Quotidian...grow daily!

Life in the City (Part 4)

by Sandy Amponsah a.k.a. Kreative Sandy

"I would love to set things straight here or perhaps start my own fellowship," i thought to myself.

The weeks that followed were quite enjoyable. I became friends with this handsome guy who was stalking me. I learnt his name was Patrick.

He owned a microfinance company and several other businesses. He was a Masters student and a student activist as well. I  admired him a lot. He was also soft-spoken and kind. He made my head spin around with his sweet talks. I couldn't wait for his proposal.

"If he proposes,  i will be hesitant for a while and finally give in, so that he wouldn't think I'm dying for him," I thought.

"Have you forgotten you are a Christian and shouldn't be thinking of engaging in such a relationship, " it occurred to me.

"But. I'm not going to have sexual relations with him. We will only study each other and get married, moreso i can win him to Christ ," I attempted a defense and brushed the earlier thought away.

He wasn't a Christian and he said that bluntly to me. But i liked him.

"So you will love to date a guy who's not a Christian?" Anita asked when i told them about my intentions .

"Araba, that's not right. The Bible says we shouldn't be unequally yoked with unbelievers. I can't support you in this, " Laudes added.

"But i can win him to the Lord, isn't that what Christians are supposed to do? " I asked.

"Yes, that's what we are supposed to do but not in this case when it seems you've already fallen deeply in love with him. It will be easier for him to pull you into the world than you could pull him to Christ, " Bertha responded.

"But why do you guys seem to be against me? " I asked quiet disappointed.

"We aren't against you,  we only want the best for you," Anita answered.

But i had already made up my mind. He was a great guy and could make a good husband....

To be continued....

Do you think Araba is taking a good move?
Would you say that there's nothing wrong with a Christian dating or marrying an unbeliever?

Share your thoughts...and if you missed Part 3, get it here: http://wp.me/p8fWJl-18 ____________________________________
#Quotidian...grow daily!

Life in the City (Part 3)

by Sandy Amponsah a.k.a. Kreative Sandy

Hmm! I didn't know what to do but I certainly didn't want to let my uncle and his wife down, my mum and as well as my hometown folks. But i wanted to live the city life and i didn't want to be a burden to my uncle. He provided for my needs as best as he could but i felt they could be more. I thought about all the benefits i could get if he was my boyfriend. But i was too confused to take any decision at the moment. 

"I need to seek the guidance of God in this matter so that i don't make a fool of myself," I thought. 

I was a devoted Christian and tried my best to live up to expectation. I never wanted to be caught fornicating or with an unwanted pregnancy. It will not only be a shame to my family but also disastrous because i was a Christian who was expected to be holy. I couldn't let God down like that and I needed to make it to heaven as well. 

Back in the village,  my mum always urged me to put God first in all things and i had done that very well in the village under her supervision. I also used to visit other villages with some of my church folks to preach to them. I hoped to continue in the city. But the pressure here was too much. 

I found out that there was a Christian group on campus but i didn't like their mode of service. They were too loud and prayed in a strange language they called "tongues". I didn't even understand why my roommates fellowshipped with them. It wasn't the Christianity i was used to so i didn't like it very much.  But i had to pretend like i did because of Bertha, Laudes and Anita. 

I also had a problem with the way they dressed. Once i saw a guy on our way for Sunday service.  I thought he was a secular musician going to perform somewhere. He wore earrings and had a huge tatoo on his left hand. He was wearing what looked like a long t-shirt, black skinny trousers and some boots. I stared at him for a while. What shocked me was when he entered the church. 

"This one too goes to church? "I burst out. 

And i was more than shocked when Bertha,  Laudes and Anita didn't see anything wrong with it. Hmm! 

I couldn't concentrate that day during the service . I felt the church was encouraging sin by not sacking or reprimanding people who dressed like gangsters and prostitutes. It made me very uncomfortable. 

"I would love to set things straight here or perhaps start my own fellowship," i thought to myself. 

To be continued....

_______________________

Did you miss Part 2? Read it here: http://wp.me/p8fWJl-T

Life in the City (Part 2)

by Sandy Amponsah a.k.a. Kreative Sandy

As I kept on doing my wishful thinking, I drifted into sleep. I was suddenly awoken by a knock on the door to my room. I stood out of the bed slowly and walked reluctantly to the door.

"Araba atuuuu,  na ete sen? (Araba, you are warmly welcome, how are you?), " Aunty Ama, my uncle's wife, asked when i opened the door.

"Ey3 oo maa (I'm fine ma'am)," i responded.

"I hope your parents are also fine," She probed further.

"Yes Aunty, they are all fine," I answered.

"We thank God, Enjoy your stay and if you need anything don't hesitate to let me know," She said.

"Okay Aunty, thanks a lot, " I responded.

Two weeks later, I applied for Macbeth University and was awaiting the admission list. I scored 6A's and two B2's in my WASSCE and so trusted that I would gain the admission. I wanted to read Business Administration as I was advised by my uncle.

The admission list was released and I was excited to have gained admission. I moved to campus and soon began lectures. That was how it all began.

He stared at me as I moved out of the lecture hall to my hall. I got to my room took some money to buy food at the canteen and there he was again.

"Was he probably stalking me? , " I thought to myself.

I decided to ask my roommates if they knew who he was. Bertha, Laudes and Anita were great roommates. They accepted me as I was, though they were of a high class. They were from rich homes obviously.
I told them about him and they told me he was probably interested in me.

My eyes perked up at the sound of it and I began to imagine having him as my boyfriend. He seemed quite rich and very handsome. Every lady would die to have him.

"So what do you advise that I do, ladies, " I asked eagerly.

" Ignore him. You know these campus guys, they are just interested in getting into their bed and that's all, " Anita said and chuckled.

"Well,  we are in the University now and there's nothing wrong with having a boyfriend but you have to be careful Araba," Laudes advised.

"Yes Araba,  you have to be careful so that nobody destroys your life and education.  You have to make your parents proud,  you know," Bertha added.

Hmm! I didn't know what to do but I certainly didn't want to let my uncle and his wife down and my mum and as well as my hometown folks. But I wanted to live the city life and i didn't want to be a burden to my uncle. He provided for my needs as best as he could but i felt they could be more. I thought about all the benefits i could get if he was my boyfriend. But i was too confused to take any decision at the moment.....

To be continued....
_______________________

Did you miss Part 1? Read it here: http://wp.me/p8fWJl-C

____________________________________
#Quotidian...grow daily!