Martha Olawale

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18

Maybe it’s because of my calling or because of Mum; I love talking about God. I became a Christian at fifteen, and before then, although I was oblivion to the depth of God’s love for me because of my parents’ walk with Christ, my life was filled with the topic of God. Mum sings and talks about Him like He’s right in the room. She wakes us every morning at 6 am to read scriptures, sing a hymn, and pray before we head to school. She repeats the same hymn, prayer, and Bible reading routine at 9 pm each night.

Although Dad was a merchant navy and mostly abroad, when he was home, while he was not as rounded as Mum was in her faith, God was also a significant reference for him. I heard about the story of Job so much that, as an adult, I don’t like reading it because I can almost still hear my dad repeating it over and over. I would have appreciated a few minutes of extra sleep those mornings and a longer time watching the television those nights, but the pleasure Mum found in walking with Jesus was the greatest legacy she could offer us.

To my mother, God can’t be negotiated for momentary comfort, and she knew that while other things would end, the message of the cross stays. The topic of God is inexhaustible, and for us to see redemption through the death of Christ, we must see life through the splendor of God’s creation. It starts in awe of His majesty and continues through eternity in awe of His glory. In a world that moves at the pace ours does, we outrun everything and keep building on every knowledge, but not the topic of God because He is who He is, and whether we agree or not does not change who He is.

Take a minute to think about the different ideologies, innovations, ideas, people, chants, and social causes that have come and gone. Even the ones that stay, like electricity or the law of gravity, have lost their wonder in our eyes as we become accustomed to them. Now, close your eyes to think of God; the wonder of His glory is as real and overwhelming as the first time we embrace His love.

One of my life's greatest privileges is to be married to a man who matches my love for God. Christ is our guide, judge, and mediator. We started talking to and about God together twenty-plus years ago, and we are still talking about Him. We approach His omnipresence in our lives, not in a spiritually sanctimonious way but in a fatherly, friendly, fun, intentionally conscious way. We keep God at the center of all we do as we play, laugh, cry, walk through misunderstandings, choose career paths, wriggle through stress, pain, joy, plan, and raise our children. We both know that we can only grow apart if we leave out the inexhaustible topic of God while building on things about life.

You will always have what to say if God is the subject. I’ve heard about Him for almost fifty years (Mum, Dad, darling husband, friends), and my mind has not scratched the surface of the depth of Him; I want more. If you always want something to discuss with your spouse, talk about God. If you want to have what to talk about with your children, talk about God. If you wish to have friends you never tire of, find those who love to talk about God.

God loves everyone and calls us to follow Him but leaves us with the choice. The idea that God does not exist is not new and doesn’t bother Him, but to walk with Jesus, you must first believe in God. Jesus said in John 14:1, “Believe in God, believe also in me.” It starts with an awe of God, to embrace the beauty of the rugged cross.