LESSONS FROM THE TREM CATHEDRAL OF HIS GLORY

Recently, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, his congregation at TREM ( The Evangelical Redeemed Mission) along with other Ministers of God and well-wishers dedicated the new church auditorium at Anthony, Lagos, Nigeria aptly called The Cathedral of His Glory. The pictures of this edifice is most magnificent and a befitting tribute to God. 

I am very glad for my brethren at TREM for they had waited for many years for this day to come. They were not disappointed. However, it is the spiritual truths that were implanted in my heart as I admired this beautiful complex that are the lessons that I share with you.

For many years, the building had stood in its shell uncompleted. The church was utilizing a temporary structure behind it. It stood in its foundation to a wall of a few feet and remained in that state. The weather took a toll on it and so was the effect of the rain and sun with time. Even the grass and weeds had overrun it yet it stood unmoved as it were.

Every time I passed by it as I travelled on the Gbagada expressway and even when I attended a marriage event at the church, the lonely outline of the Cathedral were visible and I wondered what the final structure will look like. Oh! Over the years, it was easy to glance at it and see an uncompleted project that may remain in that state for still sometime – seemingly impossible in its posture.

But then, early this year, I passed by that familiar route and realised that work had begun. A few weeks later, its imposing beauty began to emerge and then……….. I saw the final outcome and dedication ceremony on face book. The once deserted and lonely structure had become a lovely complex to behold.

Yes! Bishop Okonkwo and his flock must be full of gratitude to God for its completion. They never quit even as through the years looking at the structure (the cost implications) must have stretched their faith. As I pondered on how this weather beaten and overrun with weeds structure was transformed into an edifying building, I realized that too often that is the story of our lives as God seeks to give us the best makeovers. 

 
There is no doubt that the image of its glory was implanted in the mind of Bishop Okonkwo and others who had saw the architectural design and held on to it in faith despite the years. They saw the finished product even when it stood devoid of anything beautiful.

That in essence is how God wants us to examine our lives in the midst of every challenge and often perplexing issues. Sometimes, we think that the state of our condition is too complicated, broken or just too confusing to be resolved. But not so, for God already has that comprehensive and unchangeable design and details of our lives. His Word gives us an insight to this glorious life which He wants to guide us into its experience.

Ephesians 1.18 describes it:

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him! Living Bible.( emphasis mine)

The Message Bible portrays the same passage as:

“…… your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him...” (emphasis mine)

I hope you can touch the glory of the wondrous life IN CHRIST within us – His magnificent blueprint from which all issues of our lives are judged and experienced. This is the life that is expressed as:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation( God’s) own purchased special people that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” 1 Peter 2.9. Amplified

 The often challenging experiences of our lives may sometimes lead us to question our beliefs not in an overt but in subtle ways. We begin to resort to other familiar ways to resolve issues which in the final outcome leads us away from God’s plans than to it. I have since learnt from my own and the experiences of others, certain truths that have brought me to a very settled present state of REST that abide within me. What did I discover?

That hastiness and impatience are twin actions that do not produce the righteousness of God.

That there are many thoughts that flow through our hearts that seem right but in the purpose of God for us is not.

That there is a place for endurance to enter into the better resurrection of God as we follow in His will ,which is a knowledge that is personal to each person and revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Thus the enduring legacy of TREM, The Cathedral of His Glory is not in the beautiful edifice that will one day give way but in the spiritual truths that it exemplifies – the virtues of hope, faith, patience undergirded with the love of God that casts out all fears. For these were at work in the transition from its former uninhabitable state to a present position of admiration.

Hope is the very anchor of our soul to God’s plans – not the natural hope that easily fades away but the spiritual IN CHRIST “a joyful and confident expectation towards eternal salvation” 1 Corinthians 13.13. Amplified Bible.

It further explains.

“But we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure. So too the (Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness” Romans 8.25-26. Amplified Bible

It is a hope that is sure and steadfast and the reason for this certainty is because it is built and sustained on CHRIST – THE WORD MADE FLESH AND REVEALED IN US (John 1.14) and not on unreliable assurances. Our hope is based on the promises of God made to us in our individual situations and addressing all needs. Yet hope must be watered in our hearts daily by faith and patience.

“Then knowing what lies ahead for you, you won’t become bored with being a Christian, nor become spiritually dull and indifferent, but you will be anxious to follow the example of those who receive all that God has promised them because of their strong faith and patience.

For instance, there was God’s promise to Abraham: God took an oath in his own name, since there was no one greater to swear by, that he would bless Abraham again and again and make him the father of a great nation of people. Then Abraham waited patiently until finally God gave him a son, Isaac, just as he had promised” Hebrews 6.12-15, Living Bible (emphasis mine)

We are encouraged always as we wait the unfolding of the promises that God has given to us to have a heart that is expectant to receive. In other words, we must be like a woman in the final moments of birth. A good heart nourished in hope, faith patience and love.

Like the raising up of The Cathedral of His Glory which stands in its fullness today, we shall be elevated in our lives in the Awesome Glory of God if we do not faint nor fear. A parting word of comfort.

“But as for that (seed) in the good soil, these are (the people) who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart and steadily bring forth fruit with patience” Luke 8.15. Amplified Bible