By Margaret Ogbebor SSMA
Vows are set of solemn promises made to God. It involves commitment and dedication. It is a service that is rendered; it is taken freely not by force. They are pledges made to God in totality of oneself. Vow can be made public or private it depends on the person taking it. Public vows involve more than one person, and it is taken in the presence of the congregation. Many vows taken in the Catholic Church are made public that is, before God and his people. Private vows are taking personally by individuals. No need for crowd, it is solely between the person and God. Many people make personal vows to God and fulfil them. Taking a vow is one thing, fulfilling it is another. If you know that you would not fulfil it, it is better not to take it at all.
In the bible we saw how “Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drank. How Eli the Priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord and she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord, and wept. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou will indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid and give thine handmaid a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor would come upon his head.” (1 Samuel 1:9-11).
If we read Samuel chapter 1, we would see how Hannah suffered for a long period of time struggling with the issue of barrenness. She became a laughing stock to the people around her; she was left alone with her problem. She was seen as a failure; nobody would want to reckon with those who are unsuccessful even her co-wife; Peninnah was also an enemy in disguise; she joined the crowd to mock her. Hannah had no other option then to go to the temple and cry to God who is the ultimate and had the power to do all things.
As Christians, Hannah’s way of life has become an example for us to follow. Whenever we are faced with issues or problems, we should always remember to channel them to God who has the power to do all things. Many a time problems are channels or ways through which God draws us closer to Himself, in every situation we face in life, there are lessons to be learnt from it. It is only God that has the power to provide us with lasting solution that has no consequences attached to it. He always answers prayers whenever he wills and no one can force him to do what he would not want to do.
In the case of Hannah she channelled her problem to God through prayers, she prayed without giving up. Often times when the weights of our problems are pressing on us we would seek solace from other means outside God. Initially it would seem as if the problem had been solved but later you would discover in utter surprise, how vast the problems have multiplied. God is the only person that has the power to solve our problems completely. In the process of praying for a child, she made a vow to God. Many of us also behave like Hannah, when we are looking for a particular thing, we would make vows that if God would give us what we are asking of him, we would give something in return. God has never forced anyone to make a vow it is human beings that often make them trying to show their appreciation to God for what he will do for them. God do not force any one to make a vow. As Christians, when we are in need of a particular thing, and we decided to make a vow; we should try as much as possible to fulfil them like Hannah who vowed to give her only son back to God. She did as she had vowed “And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour and a bottle of wine and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, oh my Lord, as thy soul live, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying to the Lord for this child I asked of him: therefore also I have lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there” (I Samuel 1:24-28).
Like Hannah who did not only bring her only son as vowed she also carried a bullock and also an Ephah of flour to fulfil the vow she made to God. When a vow is made and is fulfilled there is always a blessing attached to it. Samuel not only became a prophet of the Lord, he was also a blessing to his generation. Similarly, in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 5:1-2, we would see how Ananias and his wife Sapphira promised to sell their possession and bring the proceeds to the Apostles; they were not forced to carry out this act. They were willing to give up their possession in other to help the work of Evangelization. They saw how Barnabas sold his own possession and brought the proceeds to the Apostles and he received a blessing. They wanted to do the same but their attitudes of greed would not allow them. After selling, they decided to lie by keeping part of the proceeds. They were unable to keep the promises they made.
As Christians many of us have fallen victims of making vows and not fulfilling them. Ananias and Sapphira were not forced to sell their possession just like many were not forced to make vows before God. It is very pertinent to note that whenever we are prompted to make a vow we should endeavour to fulfil them in other to avoid the wrath of God. In the Acts of the Apostles 5:3-11, we saw what became of Ananias and Sapphira instead of them receiving blessing, they were cursed because they lied before the Holy Spirit. No man can deceive God, because he has the power to see our most secret thought. What they did was supposed to bring down God’s blessing. But it did not.
Their names are remembered not for good, they served as a bad example for others to see and learn. As Christians, we should always be ourselves and not copy what others are doing. Many people have copied others, today they have landed in difficult situations. When we try to be like others and do what others are doing because we want to make name or be like them, we may end up hurting ourselves and even God. For us, we do not need to pretend or do anything to win human admiration. Eye service is one of the attitudes that God detest most, know what you are capable of doing and go for it.
Making vows or promises before God should be concrete, say what you mean and mean what you say. Vows should not be made under compulsion it should be made freely without fear. Situations in life push us to make promises or vows. Just like Hannah who was barren for a very long period of time she had no other choice than to make a vow to draw God’s attention to her petitions. Many a time when we are in tight a corner, we do make vows or promises hoping that God may have mercy on us and answer our prayers. Very often God looks at the depth of our hearts and when he sees how broken we are, his mercies are released upon us.
Finally, when making vows before God we should be sure that we are going to fulfil them. Once you make a vow, there is always a seal that is attached to the pronouncement. It becomes a deal between you and God, once God fulfils his own part of the deal, you should also try to fulfil your own part of the deal to make the contract valid. “Make vows to the Lord and fulfil them, for he has no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4).
Sr Margret Ogbebor SSMA is a Catholic Nun, working in the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto. She is the Head Teacher of St Martin de Porres Nursery and Primary School Katsina. [email protected]
