WELCOME

When Prophet Jonah embarked on his trip to Tarshish, supposedly to get away from God’s presence, the initial fare that was demanded of him was affordable. It did not occur to Jonah at that stage of his plans that there were other unknown or hidden costs to be incurred along the journey.

This is very much like the small lettered scribbles that many organisations use to draft their contracts of agreement with their clients. Such small scribbles are often difficult to read and usually neglected by the clients. The realities of these hidden charges always come to the clients after they have entered into the contract. Satan operates with similar strategies when he advertises the initial gains and pleasures of the sin; he never tells his patrons the full costs and consequences of dealing with him.

For Jonah, the trip to Tarshish cost the cargo of others who were travellering with him. It ultimately cost him his very life. Similarly, when people get into using harmful drugs, they are hardly told that aside from the ‘pleasures’ and the ‘highs’ derivable, they risk being dependent on such drugs; and that they become predisposed to losing their families, jobs, health and sanity. When people indulge in marital infidelity, part of the hidden costs can include bad reputation, and loss of their first love with all its attendant troubles.

For those who are deceived into disbelieving in the God of all creation (some make a boast of this), as well as those who mock faithful believers, they need to be warned that eternal damnation in hell (the lake of fire) is one of the grave hidden charges they will pay some day.

Let us learn to flee from every appearance of evil. They initially glitter but end up with grief, pain, shame and loss.

Welcome and God bless you

Pastors Marcus & Norah Chilaka
(Parish Pastors)