CWRC Anthology

THE RECONCILIATION MINISTER

© 2023 by Ana Mettle

Brought to you by Christian Writers and Readers Club

A/N

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

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“A story is told of a Western missionary who visited an African village to preach the Gospel. A man repented and gave his life to Christ, he brought his idols out to have them burnt but the missionary, probably excited at the sight of the African wooden idols he had only heard about decided it was better for the idols to be given to him instead, to show his people back in his country. The man hesitated but the missionary, convinced that the wooden idols were powerless, took them anyway. Later that night, strange voices were heard from the corner of the room where he kept the idols. He checked and coming from the wooden idols were the strange sounds, he did not think twice as he hurriedly took the idols out, got a box of matches and set the wooden figures on fire, he now believed that indeed the African lesser gods had power”

The silence in the class was deafening. Ato looked at Simi who stood in front of the class with what looked like a smirk on her face. 

“Thank you, Simi take your seat now please”

Ato’s Sunday School class consisted of nine to twelve year old students whose minds overflowed with questions daily and Simi was that one person whose presence you wouldn’t miss because of her questions and occasional ‘contributions’ like today’s. Elsie’s hand went up and Ato motioned for her to speak. 

  

Elsie faced Simi, “So Simi, in conclusion?”

Simi’s lips curled up, “Just because you don’t believe in something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist but it also doesn’t mean that because it exists it can defeat or separate you from the love of God,” she turned to Ato, “Right, sir?”

 Ato nodded, he sometimes wondered if this little girl was a child at all.

“At least that’s what my parents said,” She continued, shrugging.

Soon, Sunday School was over and Ato said hello to a couple of people and headed for his rented two – bedroom apartment he shared with his housemate, Sampson who called himself an ex – Christian. He went to church as a little boy but with time his faith dwindled as he watched his parents live what they called Christian living. 

His parents were active church members but at home, one wouldn’t think they went to church with the way they gossiped about others at church, how unwilling they were to let go of hurt and the way they bickered here and there. It was too much for little Sampson to understand but he went to church anyway but as soon as he had the chance to move out of his parents’ house, he stopped. His parents’ lives were not the only ones he noticed were opposite from what was displayed at church.

His tertiary days were the same, he even had one roommate who was a respected church executive but was addicted to porn and masturbation. It totally grossed him out to find that the people he met at church were no better than the ones who didn’t go to church and sometimes, even worse. As a result, he fed himself with news of all the things church folks did wrong and his disdain for them grew. His guard went up around Ato after learning that he was a Christian, to him he was like those people in his past – shameless, hypocritical wolves but after living with him for over a year, he was not as wary of his faith as he was when they first lived together.

Upon entering the apartment, the delicious aroma of popcorn wafted into Ato’s eager nostrils. They did not have occasional conversations but to him, his housemate was perfect, except for the fact that he wasn’t a Christian. He cleaned after himself nicely, had average cooking skills and the best part was how generous he was with his stuff especially his food.

“There’s an extra bowl of popcorn on the counter, my guy, help yourself”

Ato couldn’t keep his delighted chuckle to himself as he headed straight for the kitchen counter before entering the living room. Ato prayed for Sampson daily and tried incorporating his time with the kids at Sunday School in their converstions whenever he could, “My guy you have to start a YouTube channel or something o ei, your popcorn be top tier,” Ato complimented with his mouth full of the delicious sugar – coated popcorn.

 “Lazy Sunday mornings give me the opportunity to learn these o my guy”

   Ato saw the opportunity and grabbed it, “Guy, you won’t believe the questions kids ask these days.” He paused for effect. Sampson turned to him; eyebrows slightly raised.

“Charle, the kids are encouraging me to study my Bible more o ei,” He laughed, as he remembered Sunday School this morning, “These kids are so hungry to know God more and I pray I’m able to help them”

As always, the tension grew as soon as God was mentioned but Ato was gradually getting used to it. So long as Sampson listened, he continued talking about God in the way he knew how to and left the rest to God. 

Sampson rolled the popcorn around his finger. Over the past 17 months he had lived with Ato, he had seen a different kind of Christian. At the beginning of their stay together, he had tried getting on Ato’s nerves and had seen a visibly angry man who simply refused to hurt him with his words and who forgave easily.

 There was a time Ato had invited him to join an online worship session he was hosting with his friends and of course, he had declined. Later that day he came back with some of his friends and played loud music – the kind the church folks didn’t listen to. Ato walked out, banging the door on his way out – a sign that he was angry. He returned the next day and talked as if nothing happened the day before.

Sampson remembered feeling ashamed and annoyed. Ashamed of his actions and annoyed at Ato for not fitting the criteria he had for most church folks. He knew Ato had been trying to get him to go to church with him and waited for the day he would give up. He was undoubtedly sure the kids at his Sunday School class were fortunate to have him as their teacher.

Ato munched loudly on his popcorn. Anything to take away the silence was welcomed.

“You know, one of these days you’re going to have to meet God for yourself, not through anyone’s lens but the Holy Bible’s and you’re going to believe that God is real.” Sampson watched as Ato retreated into the kitchen with the unfinished bowl of popcorn in his hands.

“You not believing does not mean God does not exist,” Ato couldn’t he was echoing Simi’s words. 

Somehow, he believed Ato’s words. He couldn’t explain it but he wanted to know the God Ato served. Ato’s life had proved to him that maybe, just maybe, there were people out there whose lives reflected the God they preached behind the pulpits and he wanted to know what they knew.   

A/N

Dear Believer, are you living out the task God has given you as a minister of reconciliation? I hope you don’t forget that you’ve been called out of Darkness into Light to be a bearer of Light. Let this story serve as your reminder to take up your mandate as a minister of reconciliation. Share the Gospel through your words and deeds and bless others. 

Sound the alarm, Christ will return.

 Hallelujah!

 

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