I could not explain how it crept on me but it did. Here I was, in church, chatting on WhatsApp when others were busy worshiping.

It dawned on me how much I had drifted away.

It was unheard of that I would open my phone in church except to note something or consult my Bible or Bible concordance.

I remember vividly when my roommate during service told someone confidently that I do not chat in church or even take my phone to church.

Well, when we were attending an RCCG parish just opposite the school where I served, I didn’t see the necessity to take my phone to church.

When we found a youth church though that was quite a distance, I took my phone along with me but I never crossed my mind to fiddle with my phone. It was something that really disgusted me when I saw people doing.

But few years later, I was doing the same thing that I used to wonder what was wrong with people that did it.

At that particular moment when I went on WhatsApp in church, it really did not occur to me that I was doing anything wrong. It took a few minute for me to be geared back to reality and I was very ashamed of myself.

It thought me a lesson.

My mind was drawn back to where Paul said “dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Gal 6:1NLT.

And when Paul said “therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12NKJV.

I was sure it was something I would not do. How wrong I was!

But that is not the main lesson. It occurred to me later that two things happened.

First is the above that I was sure I would not fall that I did not take heed. Actually, I started compromising when someone I held in high esteem did it without care and somehow I began to think it was alright if I did it as well.

Then I also discovered I became familiar and comfortable with my relationship with Jesus that I did not know I had left my Jesus far behind.

You know, there is something to be said for the person who you spend time with to rub off you.

I became familiar with Him that I was no longer deliberate about spending time with Him.

So, instead of becoming more like Him and thus, becoming a better person till I attain perfection, I was becoming more like people who I held in higher regard and therefore not only spent time with but began to imitate.

It happens to the best of us.

If you want to be like Jesus, spend time with Jesus through His word (the Bible) and communicating with Him (praying).

I pray Jesus helps to desire to spend time with Him in Jesus name. Amen!

 

spend time with Jesus