Being a Love Bearer

It is almost unreal to think that we are already in the eleventh month of this year that has been anything but what anyone expected it to be. There was so much anticipation and expectation to see January 1, 2020, because it was a new day and the beginning of a new year and decade all at once! Who would have foreseen that it would turn out so gravely disastrous for some and so highly illustrious for others? 

In the course of this year, two key issues have become foremost on the mind of a large swathe of our demography: these are COVID-19 and racial injustice. One would not have thought these two things would have anything in common, but it turns out they have a linking thread. Be that as it may, even without these two elements at play, “life is truly a box of chocolates – you never know what you are going to get!”

The Bible in Job 14:1-2 says, “How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.” 

For believers in Christ, this is not something to get depressed about because our times are in God’s hands. Our lives may be fleeting in comparison to eternity; however, God has a plan and a purpose for every moment of every day of our lives, however long or short those are. What COVID-19 does for us all is remind us of our mortality and remind us daily to live each day like it is our last.

No doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has played a major role in the way we do things these days. Each one of us have had to adjust to rules of survival and living above COVID-19 and yet maintain the balance in caring for others in our community and helping many who have suffered losses during this time. The last few months of racial divide across our nation has raised volumes of fear, insecurities and uncertainty, especially with the coming elections. God made all of mankind in His own image and likeness, meaning that there are elements of who God is, that defines every human life. It is, therefore, disheartening to even conceive that there would be such a thing as racial injustice or an ideology of racial supremacy. God gave dominion and responsibility for all His creation to all mankind equally, not dominion to one segment of humanity over another. That is a man-made construct. No human life has more value than another in the eyes of God.

The fact that you and I are alive and well in these difficult times is a reason to give thanks to God. I am thankful for the phenomenal contribution and sacrificial love of our front liners (health workers), police workforce and many volunteers in the community risking their lives on a day-to-day basis to save lives despite the COVID-19 pandemic. I also appreciate our schoolteachers and educators in their efforts to educating our kids, while adapting to the new norm. The generosity and continued communal love and impact of several businesses, public and private charities, some of which opened their food pantries, provided free clothing, paid portion of bills helping several families in need that lost their jobs and means of livelihood during COVID-19. The unending support and encouragement of the various places of worship to their members or congregants has been quite amazing and a show of kindness to all in need of faith. 

Looking with the eyes of faith in our community one thing stands sure; it has been the constant love that transcends beyond racial differences and color. The profound richness of communal love spreads over our community and has been quite comforting. This is to assure us of the hope we have in God and our Frisco community. A hope of a brighter tomorrow if we continue to do good and love one another despite our differences. Knowing this, that the hope of a great community is often tied to the willingness of the people to remain in unity and love. 

I, therefore, encourage you to continue to be a love bearer, in the spirit of gratitude and continue to lend a helping hand to all in need of this assurance. As we approach Thanksgiving, let us take the time to be love bearers in our community. Let us share and carry each other’s burden regardless of what is happening all around us. Remaining ever grateful and appreciative of the life God has given us. May this period be a time of laughter, joy and restoration for you and your families. A time of refreshment and hope for our community and precious grace to keep sharing the love of Christ to all. 

Senior Pastor of Resurrection Chapel Frisco, Pastor Emmanuel Olaniran has an unquenchable passion for the gospel of Christ and people of God. He loves God, his family and also passionately loves life.

Skip to content