Three things one must give up to answer God’s call -Etta
Ani Bassey
The Chairman, governing council of the Cross River State College of Education Akamkpa, Fr. Dr. Bob Etta says any priest called by God has to give up his family, home and country.
Fr. Etta disclosed this while speaking as a guest lecturer at the 10th Emmah Isong Annual Public Lecture Series.
Speaking on the theme: “The challenges and the perils of the call to Christian ministry”, he said one has to give up something otherwise he cannot hear the call.
According to him, ” Anyone the master calls has to give up something great in order to answer the call.
“Your family, home and country are the three major things that identify you.
“Abraham left his family, father’s house and country to a land he will be shown and this is the first known call in the scripture.
“God chronicled the three major things Abraham was to give up and if you don’t recognize that where you are going is better than where you are, you cannot follow God”, he said.
On the challenges of the ministry, Fr. Etta said there will always be moments of frustration where you may feel God has abandoned you.
He cited examples of prophets like Jeremiah who cursed the day he was born, Elijah who ran away from Jezebel, Moses who was tired of life and Jesus who cried about being forsaken.
Fr. Etta said every one of them went through a difficult moment which made them almost abandon their calling.
He however said the blessings come after you overcome trials and tribulations.
” If you prepare for Christian ministry, the constant denominator is the Cross, the silent companion that follows us.
“Sorrow, pain are part of the Christian life and when we accept them, we grow in Christ.
“We must always know that part of our lives will be difficult and this makes us remember God.
“It is after going through the valley of the shadow of death that goodness and mercies follow you all the days of your life.
“The Cross is always with us, there will be difficulties and trials but the power of the Lord is greater”, he said.
In his remarks, Arch Bishop designate Emmah Isong thanked the guest lecturer saying he never disappoints.
The year’s lecture was held as part of activities to mark the five star celebration for the consecration of Emmah Isong as an Archbishop.
