Can you be 100% Trini (Caribbean) and christian at the same time? I was born in Trinidad and grew up all my life around Carnival and calypso. My identity was about being a 'real Trini', which meant partying, drinking and participating in Carnival. I loved my island and my culture but when I became a christian all that changed. When I made that choice to live for Jesus I gave up my old life for an new one.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
It was not easy leaving the old life...I lived in a constant 'party' mode. When I became a christian I went to a young adults meeting and the preacher said we should not go to Caribana because it was bad. The first thing I thought was, "This is my culture! How could he say that?!" Then I looked at how we used to behave and dance at fetes (parties) and at Carnival...I was ashamed.
When God saves you and changes you, you really become a new creation. I was talking to my wife the other night and I said,"I can't believe that we used to behave like that!" There is no party, no sex, no drug, no liquor that can give you the joy that Jesus gives you. God is not trying to stop you from having fun, God knows what's best for you. I am more satisfied serving the Lord than jumping up in some party. As the young adults pastor said,"there is no party like a Holy Ghost party". This weekend try Jesus.
Blessings
Andrew
1 comment:
There is really no party like a Holy Ghost party! I too lived in the world. I used to look at my Christian friends and think, 'They are missing out." It was only when I opened the door of my heart and invited Jesus in that I came to know it was I who was missing out! The parties and empty rhetoric of the 'wild life' leaves a hangover of emptiness but the Holy Ghost parties fills you, Spirit, soul and body - its a sweet taste of Living Water that wells up within you and keeps you fulfilled. Yes, I endorse Andrew's challenge to us, "This Caribana, try Jesus! Your report will be, "Yes, this is it - utter fulfilment!"
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