Friday 11, September 2026

One-day Christian, dem a one-day Christian// Six days a week dem up to all kinds o’ wrong// Sunday dress up inna white, wid dem Bible inna hand// Oh Lord, Dem a one-day Christian.

Lloyd Lovindeer held nothing back in that song. Although it stings, there’s truth to that statement to be found in many congregations. Perhaps even in our own lives. We find that they also existed in Y’shua’s time, enough to be included in His parable. Though the title was different, I believe that the sentiment fit. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat, for example.

Mark 4:16-17 CEB

[16] Here’s the meaning of the seed that fell on rocky ground: When people hear the word, they immediately receive it joyfully.

[17] Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away.

Present, yet Absent

In the Jamaican primary education system, the equivalent of elementary school, I clearly recall the ritual of marking the register, i.e., roll call. The teacher called a name, and the child replied, ‘Present, Miss’ or ‘Present, Sir’. The response indicated that the child was in location and accounted for. But being in location didn’t always mean being present. A child could be physically present but daydreaming. Or, in our times, they could be discreetly sending texts on their mobiles.

Self-Check

How would we deal with truancy in our contexts, mental or otherwise?

Deeper Dive

Mental truancy, doomscrolling, and one-day Christians are, for me, all examples of rocks in our soul soil. It is a variant of being Christ-minded. Yes, siblings, that is a thing. It speaks to one’s belief that Y’shua exists, but refusing to take the next step toward a deeper commitment. It’s not quite the case of King Agrippa with Paul in Acts 26:28, where Agrippa was almost persuaded to commit. This is more along the lines of putting one’s hands on the plough and looking back (see Luke 9:62).

I concur; most of us have been guilty. Like Peter, we may have denied Christ at the most opportune time. I sincerely hope that we present ourselves to be reinstated, rather than lose hope as Judas did. We must remember, when we confess our sins, Y’shua is faithful and just. He will forgive us and restore us into full fellowship. [Unfortunately, Jesus’ brand of forgiveness isn’t always practised in some congregations.]

It is important to note that although the seed in the parable didn’t take root, the seed wasn’t the problem. The soil was.

Solving the problem in our lives, therefore, demands removal of the rocks, not the seed.

(Ouch, that one hit a chord.)

So before Life begins Lifing, let’s ensure that the Seed is rooted and grounded through our immersion in God’s Word. It requires that we also dissociate ourselves from some of our familiar pursuits – the ones that hurt God’s heart.

There’s no better time than the present, then, for us to show up, attend to Christ’s plan for our lives and offer ourselves to Him. In essence, at present, we’re to Be Present, Stay Present and Be the Present that God desires.

Point to Ponder

Hear Christ calling roll, primary school style, Sibling of Christ [our name here] … How shall we respond, in word and deed?

Based on our Self-Check response, how should God deal with our truancy? Thankfully, God does not treat us as our sins deserve.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ