Month: July 2020

Two men stood at the junction, where the road split into two.

The first, Paul, looked muscular, thick biceps, and a hard face, but not the kind of body resulting from hard days at the gym. Paul had been through much. Tony, the second man, would make you smile because he always had a smile on his face. Not as well built as Paul, Tony’s relaxed demeanor and soft look depicted an easy life, with no struggles.

They stood at the junction as strangers, but trust Tony, he turned and smiled at Paul. Paul neither turned nor caught the smile and didn’t seem to care. He was on a mission.

“The two paths are parallel. Why don’t we split up and see where…?”

Paul was already on his way. He took the narrow path.

“Hmm, not a very nice fellow, is he?” Tony asked himself as he took the broad one.

They walked on for a while before Tony became tired and wished to sit. The only other person on both paths was Paul, and Tony knew he would neither listen nor help. He tried, anyway.

“I am tired. May we stop?” He asked, in his most polite voice.

Paul walked on for a bit and stopped. He turned around and walked back to stand parallel to Tony’s position.

“Are you hungry? Do you have water?” Paul asked as he heaved off his backpack from his shoulders.

Speechless, Tony shook his head. At Paul’s upward glance, he found his voice.

“No, I hoped we would find shops on the way. It’s quite odd, and I packed all this money for nothing.” Tony said.

Paul smiled and unpacked his bag. He brought out a big Ziploc bag filled with bread, and a water bottle, still sealed. He threw a piece of food and bottled water to Tony.

“Eat, and let’s be on our way.”

“Aren’t you eating?”

“I eat as directed.”

“Who directs you? There is no one else here.” Tony asked as he chewed, his brows furrowed.

“I listen to God’s Spirit.”

“Really, where is he?” Tony asked as he stood up and looked around.

Paul laughed. “Relax, He is inside me, in my heart.”

“Oh, right,” Tony said as he sat down again. “So, what else does He tell you?”

“That’s a long story. Are you done, we need to move on?”

“Okay, thanks.”

They moved on, and Tony wished he was on Paul’s path. They walked for a few hours, and darkness descended. Tony whipped out his phone and used the torch to find the massive light source in the backpack he carried. He looked over at Paul’s path and stopped in his tracks. Paul moved forward without any light. No streetlights, car lights, or a phone. Darkness covered the narrow path, as it did the broad one.

“Hey, why don’t you use my phone, it’s fully charged.”

“No, thank you. I have the light with me.”

“Are you sure? I’m looking at you, and there is darkness all around you.”

“I have the Holy Spirit to guide me. I’m fine, thanks.”

Tony turned back to the road, irritated. How was the invisible spirit guiding and directing the guy?

There were rocks all over his path, Tony wished Paul well, concentrating. They had walked for about thirty minutes when Tony noticed Paul had stopped.

“I want you to listen to me with care. There is a snake behind you…” Paul didn’t finish.

Tony shouted and ran.

By the time Paul walked up to Tony, he was wheezing and fanning himself.

“Was that a joke? How did you know about the snake?” Tony asked, still out of breath.

Paul smiled. “The Holy Spirit told me about it.”

Tony rolled his eyes. “This Spirit thing again? Are you sure there was a snake back there?”

“Go back and check.”

“But I can’t do that.”

“Well, you have to trust God.”

“I don’t know how to do that either.”

“Do you want to learn?”

“This night? Let’s start tomorrow. It’s late.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

An hour later, Tony complained, he was tired. Paul stopped and encouraged him to sleep, trusting God for protection. They would rest there for the night.

Tony awoke the next day to loud screeches. He opened his eyes slowly, as his heart took up a fast beat. He assumed the noises were not human. Three gorillas stood near him, ransacking his torn bag. He shouted and moved as he stood. He scrambled away from the animals who turned and followed him.

Paul woke up and looked at the scene. “Stop!”

The animals halted, Tony did not. He kept running, not bothering to look back.

Paul looked back at Tony’s scattered bag, shook his head, and continued on his way. He caught up to Tony in an hour, and set his backpack on the ground, searching for breakfast.

“You said to trust God. Why did he allow those animals near me?”

Paul smiled. “Did they hurt you?”

“No, but they could have. Look, all my stuff is with those wild beasts.”

Paul laughed at that. He couldn’t help himself.

“Are you laughing at me? How dare you, do you know who I am?”

“How has your status helped you on the path you are on?”

“This is temporary. Listen, be good to me, or…”

“Or what?”

Tony looked at the bread in Paul’s hand and the water in a can, and shut up, rubbing his growling stomach.

“I am hungry.”

Paul smiled as he threw bread and water to his companion.

“Thank you,” Tony said, as he picked the bread and water from the ground. He never thought he would ever eat food thrown at him. Tony didn’t want to continue on his chosen path. The dangers he faced didn’t seem to affect Paul in the least.

“The road you are on is better.”

“Yes, it is. It leads to life.”

“I don’t know about that. I’m talking about the absence of danger there.”

Paul laughed again. “Who told you there is no danger here?”

“Well, we’ve been walking together for a while now, and nothing dangerous has crossed your path.”

“Do you know Psalm 91?”

“My mother taught me.”

“Do you remember it?”

Tony thought hard for a while before his eyes widened in understanding.

“You mean it’s all true?”

“Every word.”

“How can I get such power to work in my life? I need protection and sustenance.”

“It depends. Are you looking for power or God?”

“Is there a difference?”

“Yes. The power may come and go with all its trappings, but God remains all-powerful and omnipresent.”

“I want God. If that’s what you have, I want it too.”

Paul smiled. “You have one thing to do, my friend.”

“What is it?” Tony asked, with the first smile on his face in a while.

“Leave the road you’re on and join me on mine.”

“That’s true. How?”

“Start at the beginning.”

The smile left Tony’s face.

Till next time, be transformed!!

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2, NKJV). This verse brings our attention to one of the amazing facets of human …

Gentle Training for Your Thought Life

Nneka laid out before her father, the king. The throne-room was vast, without walls, shrouded in secrecy. The King sat on the throne, glad she visited, always wanting to hear from her. She laid on the ground, which was neither hot nor cold; it’s temperature even. It was the only way she knew and had become accustomed to taking. When problems assailed her, and unrest filled her heart, she would enter into his presence and lay face down. On other days, she still paid him visits; she knew how much he loved her company.

He smiled, loving her.

Nneka rose and knelt before him, giving him praise. She adored him for who he was to her and wept as she remembered all he did to ensure she attained the position for which he gave her life. In that vast space, she was alone before him; she could be bare. She called on her helper when she couldn’t go on and asked for support. He stood with her and assisted as she worshipped.

Nneka brought all her problems before the king. She laid them all out piece by piece. As she remembered, she spoke, asking for advice. When she finished, she laid herself before him again, knowing she would receive mercy and grace for her time of need.

He didn’t disappoint.

It was her habit to listen for instruction, as she did so, he gave guidance to face the issues of the day. He enlightened her on reasons for some problems she faced and provided wisdom for the way forward. As he spoke, Nneka’s mind traced his words to scripture verses he hid in her heart. For some, no scripture came, but she knew before whom she laid.

Nneka rose again and praised her father, thanking him for all he did. For the peace, he gave and the abundance of grace available for that day. When she thought about how merciful her father was, receiving her anytime she called, granting her audience regardless of her failures, Nneka wept again. Her father’s love and kindness would never stop overwhelming her heart.

The Nneka, who rose to get ready for the day, was not the same person who awoke from sleep, overwhelmed by life. The difference was clear. Darkness overcame the first person, and light encompassed the last. Anxiety overwhelmed the first Nneka, and the last one had the peace that passes human understanding, guarding her heart and mind.

‘He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ Psalms 91:1

Till next time, be transformed!!

The five sat at the round table. They understood the reason for the gathering, each quiet under the weight of the knowledge of whose presence they gathered. The summons came at night, invitations to a room filled with white smoke and walls of dark clouds. An initiate would not know that though the walls billowed, they stood sturdy. The white smoke wreathed in its progress to reach every part of the room, incense from the throne room itself. God hosted this little gathering.

For the first time, the guests could hear the sound of silence, thick and heavy. Though no words were said, some sweated like goats on the slaughter table; others tasted the bitterness of failure. None of them of the mind to start giving their reports.

“Generals, give account.” His soft words flowed like still waters, heard only in the soul.

Nneka knew without being called that she was the first.

“I taught my children to know the Lord from childhood. They chose their paths, I couldn’t do anything, but watch and pray. I did my best.” She said.

“Yes, your best. However, I was with you through it all. To help with your struggle, and your day-to-day. I would have been your help and strength.” Our helper said, his soft words loud in her soul.

Ekene coughed. “The government threatened to kill me if I didn’t join their conspiracy. I prayed and fasted for help, but none came. I joined to bring the change you said I would.” He said, his eyes on the wood, blinking with tears.

“I heard prayers, but not yours. Fasting, but not from you. You forget that you live because I give you life. Why did you fear? Change, yes, not mine.” Our stronghold said.

“I formed the organization on kingdom values and beliefs. We are still working to ensure that all our transactions are honest.” Etuk said, his hands sweaty.

“You did, son. However, you went to sleep. Your subordinates are doing what they like, and getting away with it. Honest, or as led by me?” Our wisdom said.

“Father, I am teaching the children to love you with all their hearts. The school is blossoming, thanks to your grace.” Lawrence said.

Silence, our comforter smiled. Though the occupants of the room could not see the King, they felt the warmth of it.

“Children, dear ones. Do you love me, Lawrence?” The lover of our souls asked.

Lawrence looked down as tears filled up his eyes. He couldn’t answer before truth.

“I never left you, son, not in the days when you all lacked, nor in the days, when my grace supplied. I touched you, felt your pain, wiped your tears. Yet, you were unaware of me. You will lose those children, if you do not teach them to love, from a heart that loves first.” The Father said.

Ursula, the last to speak, knelt on the floor, as the thick smell of incense filled her nostrils.

“Father, forgive us.” She cried.

The swirl of incense stopped. Every movement ceased, as time stood still.

Like a movie put on replay, the life-giver took time back to the start of the meeting. This time, there was a difference. None sweated out of fear. There was joy in the air as the children rejoiced with abandon in God’s presence. Nobody remembered failing or not living out God’s will. The redeemer had given them all another chance, and wiped away their mistakes.

“You were made perfect for good works. I am always with you; call on me, lean on me. Drop all burdens, carry no loads, except the ones I give. You are of the kingdom and not of the world.”

They continued to rejoice, his peace sipping into their souls. They all woke up in that state, filled to overflowing with the love of God.

Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm_ToFXpMOs

Till next time, be transformed!!

Kola started climbing from his school days.

The approving glances of the teachers cast on well-behaved or intelligent students, and the smiles his parents bestowed on his siblings for doing well, led him to it. He sought to reach the same place and exceed.

He didn’t reach it in the university, but he tried. Kola did everything the lecturers said, reading all night, sitting for every test. A first-class result, yes, but he still didn’t reach the mark. He aspired to lead in all areas.

The climbing continued when he got his first job. His certificate seemed like a curse; office politics trumped the piece of paper. His managers disdained him because the C.E.O picked him out. Kola continued to scale the rock, trying to manage his work life, for the C.E.O on the one hand, and the managers on the other.

He kept scrambling up through weather changes, from hot to cold, and through the rain. Sometimes, he would reach a milestone and think he succeeded, only to look up, and still see no end. Kola kept at, though the pressures of life beat at him, and the people on the ground called to him, to give up. He would hear voices in the wind, some encouraging, others discouraging, but still, he kept scaling up.

Sometimes, all he heard was the wind, a soft breeze threatening to lull him to sleep, or a windstorm advancing to blow him off course. Kola bore it all. The smile on his boss’s face when he handed over Kola’s promotion letter; the hug from his wife as he handed her the keys to the new Benz; the children’s joyous cries when he met their needs all helped.

He wanted to stop climbing many times. Kola would look up, and down, and feel like he had gotten nowhere. During those weary times, he would stay on a boulder and rest, with every part of his body revolting against him. In his despair, he would look up, not to the rest his soul needed, but to the top of the mountain, and wonder when he would find peace.

The rocks cut his body as he climbed, but after a while, he got used to it. The sweat covered his eyes, making it difficult to climb, but he grew accustomed to climbing blind. He would often grasp grass instead of rock and fall, but he learned how to pick himself up, to climb back up again. No matter how bad the air pressure, he acclimatized.

Kola suffered from Hypoxia, but how would he have known? Most of us don’t know when we suffer from our lifestyles. Climbing for Kola proved difficult after a while. He suffered from a lack of appetite often and chugged it up to old age. Later, migraines, distorted vision, and fatigue became the norm, all attributed to growing old.

He founded his startup at 60. Advised to retire from full-time work, Kola didn’t listen; he still had not attained the height he wanted. He would get up early, disregarding the doctor’s orders and return home late, his business needed to succeed, and he alone could ensure it did.

One day he was at the office, and the next, six-feet under a plaque, which described him as the climber. To family and friends, that was what the man achieved.

Kola sat up, his body at rest. It seemed odd to him, and he couldn’t remember the last time he experienced such a thing. He looked around, at the green pastures, and the still waters. He felt peace as he walked the quiet path, a soft wind in his face, and birds chirping above him, making him smile. Here, he thought, there is no fear, no worries, and the pain can be endured. An encompassing feeling of rest engulfed him, and the truth hit him. It felt like a physical blow; Kola’s knees hit the ground. This was it, the summit.

With the truth came agony from a painful fact. Kola still didn’t make it.

Till next time, be transformed!!

The night stilled, dense in its thickness, only the three could see through it. The wind blew, and the trees billowed, bowing to the greatness in whose presence they dared to be. The stars shone, but not with their usual spectacular brilliance; greatness had emerged to work. The air flitted about, filled with possibility, fresh and scented with the creativity only the three could bring.

They bent down to work, the subject already in their minds, and the sand, made ready for molding. Then they spoke into it, dominion, beauty, knowledge, understanding, blessing, and fruitfulness. Yes, they had that much power, to make pronouncements, and create.

An outline first appeared on the sand, a drawing that looked like they did. Like magic, though their power was higher, unfathomable, a draft was drawn within the sand. Parts traced within the subject.

They looked at the outline in the darkness and were pleased. The entourage watched, not understanding, but accepting. Whatever the three formed would be good, because unlike other teams, they were one perfect entity, complete in their unity.

The three approved the outline, drawn in fine sand. Next, a body emerged out of the drawing, from top-down. They did not use material tools, but the skill and perfection used for the work were evident to the onlookers. The three carved parts out with precision; every minute detail accounted for. No waste and no mistakes made. All this done, while they stood and watched.

With the carving done, the three smiled in unison, pleased again. Their creation possessed a god’s body, the mind for high potential, and the heart to love and trust. Yes, this one would be good. 

Next, a small drizzle sprayed the sand, preparing the work for smoothening and crafting. The team made the eyes, crafted the ears, defined a nose, and lined out a mouth. Other body parts appeared, excellent in their intricate design, from top-down. The artwork was engraved to perfection, everything in the right order, as the creator intended. The earthy smell of the sand wafted through the air, leaving its trail everywhere it passed.

They smiled again at the complete image they made.

A slow wind arose from the south of the three and moved with ease past them. It seemed to remain on top of the sandy body. At their nod, it rolled over and around it, blowing away sand and debris. The wind blew away everything that was not required from the work area, living the space clean and bringing the subject into better focus.

After the wind subsided, the sand took on a life of its own. Changing, stretching, and forming. The unknown became known. The figure created in the night appeared in the light of the three, and understanding dawned on their followers. They sculpted a version of themselves in one. The three would also be one in their creation, filling him with light and truth, and enabling him to execute on the earth, as they did in heaven.

Finally, in unison, they breathed into the one. They gave him their life. Everything spoken into the work at the beginning came to life on the inside of this magnificent creature. Then, he breathed in deep, forceful breaths of life as he flexed his new body parts. He opened his eyes and saw the creator, the first and most important being in his life. Understanding filled the creature, and he did the only thing he could. He knelt before his maker and father and worshipped.

Epilogue

Though the creature failed, the creator had a plan to return him to his position as the son. The plan worked.

Philip opened the door with his usual skill, and eased out from the house, looking to the left and the right. He covered his head with his hood and walked forward into the night. He was leaving the city.

Once he announced his intentions to marry Amaka, the world turned against him. First, his parents took him to their Pastor, and after all the talk, threatened to disown him. The Pastor watched them leave the room and didn’t say a word to dissuade them but turned to Philip.

“My son, how can God ask you to marry a well-known street girl? Does that sound like God to you?” He asked.

Philip wanted to ask him if they thought he was insane to cook up such a story. He didn’t but kept mute and waited for the Pastor to finish, thanked him, and left the office.

His parents kicked him out of the main house and asked him to stay in the Boy’s quarters of their three-story mansion. Philip thanked God, knowing it could have been worse. He could have endured all the disrespectful, and ridiculous behavior from his parents, and the house staff, if they hadn’t taken the problem to the office. Philip worked for his parents.

They owned a large Electronics shop, which he managed. He didn’t understand how the news reached the office, but before he could blink, people started giving him the stares and talking behind him. After a week of social distancing from his staff and some friends, Philip decided he couldn’t cope anymore. He would leave town for a while and look for a place to think.

The night he left, he felt relief. As he covered his head and strode to the gate and out the house, He smiled. He was on his way to the next town, where John, his friend, waited. They spoke at length in the afternoon, and John promised him a room in his house, and work in the factory where he worked. Philip walked faster, the promise of an escape from his life egging him on.

One thing nagged his mind, Amaka. He shook his head inside the bus. He was not leaving her or saying no to God; he just needed time out. A place to rest from people. So, he was justified.

John seemed happy to see Philip, who arrived early the next morning and welcomed him. John lived in a 2-bedroom apartment in the town. Philip was grateful for John’s kindness; anything was better than home. John asked him to rest for the day. They would be going to the factory, early the next morning. John left for work, and Philip slept, his problem was solved.

The next day, John took him to the factory and introduced Philip to his new Supervisor. Philip could not believe the conversation that followed. When the introductions were over, and John excused himself, Philip excused himself and followed his friend. Outside the Supervisor’s office, John turned to Philip, smiling.

“What’s up, Philip, any problems?”John asked.

Philip looked at him, wide-eyed for a while.

“Thank you for the job opportunity; however, is there nothing else I can do as a Master’s holder in this factory?” Philip asked.

John smiled and shook his head as he looked down. When he looked at Philip again, no trace of the smile remained.

“Philip, you are still a child. You expected that because you are a Master’s holder, we would make you the manager here like you are in your parents’ business? No, you should have asked for my job as well; after all, I don’t have a Master’s degree. Listen, not all of us were born to rich parents and had the world handed to us. I started here from the same position, on the factory floor, cleaning spare parts, and I grew from there to where I am now. The position is the only one available for now, take it or leave it.” John said, and walked away.

Philip couldn’t believe the words John hurled at him. Childish, silver-spooned, what?

He looked for the way out of the factory and walked out, not intending to go back. A few meters into his revolt, Philip asked himself how he would survive? John would be upset and not want to feed a job seeker. How long after his savings ran out, would he continue to beg his friends? Philip turned, slowly, heart-broken, and went back into the factory. He sought out the Supervisor and asked for the position.

After the first week, John stopped providing food. When the month ended, he asked Philip for half the money to pay the landlord for utilities. Philip said nothing and gave John the money. It meant he had next to nothing at the end of the day, which he was sure John knew.

Philip worked in the factory for three months and adapted to living in survival mode. He thought of God, who abandoned him, and Amaka, the cause of his problems, less and less. The more he scraped and hustled, the happier John seemed. His friend would come home, boasting about his achievements at work. John would invite his girlfriend over and rub it in Philip’s face; he couldn’t afford one as fine as she was. John bought a car, a brand used for purchases in Philip’s parent’s business, and told Philip to wait for five years to buy one.

The weirder John got, the more Philip believed John wanted him out of his house. It continued until one night after work, John accused Philip of stealing his perfume. Philip walked out of John’s house, checking his pockets for money. He was returning to his parents that night.

Filled with rage and not minding where he walked, a motorcyclist without a horn didn’t see him on time, and therefore could not apply his brakes. Philip felt a blow to his right leg, heard it snap, and went down. Pain gave way to darkness.

Philip woke up in a pile of dirt, and the odor cut off his breath. He looked around him and tried to get out of the rubbish heap, but realized it was sticky. The more he tried to extract himself, the deeper he sank.

“Where are you going?” A voice said, from the right.

Philip turned and saw an old woman, with thick white hair, seated on a kitchen stool. She leaned on her walking stick with both hands.

“What do you think you are doing?” She said.

What he was doing should have been obvious, but he explained, hoping she might help.

“I am trying to get out of this sticky refuse pile. Can you call people to help?”

“Why, I thought you liked it there? She said.

Philip’s mouth dropped open, and then he looked at her closely. Maybe the old lady had a gap in her brain. Deciding that was the case, he looked away and continued trying.

“You were given an assignment you abandoned, and preferred squalor to the abundance your father planned for you.”

Philip stopped and looked at the lady. “Madam, I am not who you think I am.” He said and dismissed her again.

“Philip, wake up!” She said and stood. “God offered you abundant life, but you chose poverty, dirt, and death instead. Why? Fear? You heard God, why didn’t you believe?”

Once again, Philip was speechless.

“Where am I?” He said, after a while.

“Does it matter? I asked you a question.” She said.

Philip remained silent; he shook with anger.

“Answer me, Philip. What happened to your faith?”

“Where was God? Where was he when everything around me went up in flames? Didn’t he see my family disown me, and the Pastor write me off? People scorned me everywhere I went, and John, the poorest kid in school, a guy I clothed and fed, treats me like his servant. All because of God.” He said and turned to her.

“All things work together for good, right. Well, it’s for bible characters like Paul and John. Nothing in God is working for me.” He said and continued trying to get out, dismissing her a third time.

“Listen, you will remain in this filth until you remember who your help is.” She said, and walked away.

Philip didn’t turn around, nor did he acknowledge her words. He kept trying, using all his might, trying different techniques, and after a while, started shouting for help. He went deeper into the mire and started losing strength. Philip continued in this till the bog swallowed his body up to his neck.

Weakness took over from a deep sadness, which filled his heart. Like a rock, it seemed to pull him deeper into the darkness.

“Father, please help me, forgive me. In my weakness, you are my strength. Have mercy.” He said and stopped struggling.

Philip woke up on a hospital bed. They wrapped his forehead with bandage and his leg in a cast. The rubbish heap had been a dream. He sighed in relief and inhaled to assure himself. He lay back to rest when a nurse walked up to his bed. Philip turned to ask for water when he saw the nurse and stopped in shock.

“It’s good to see you again, Philip.” The woman by the mire said. She walked without her stick and with agility, though the white hair remained. She stood by his side and held his hand.

“The Father asks you to trust Him, even when you don’t know what’s next or tomorrow. He will deliver you out of the mire. He will not allow it to swallow you. Trust God, trust in Jesus, and pay attention to the Holy Spirit. You are a child of God. Now get better and go home.” She said, smiling.

Tears ran down Philip’s eyes as she departed, and as another nurse came with his medicine.

Till next time, be transformed!!

#1

Dorothy ran, unwilling to look back.
She had never seen her father’s face like that. His forehead crumpled, his eyes narrowed, and his nose blazed as he bared down on her. He was fast, too, so fast it did not look natural.
“Papa, Papa, stop! Why are you trying to kill me? What did I do wrong?” Dorothy said over her shoulder, hoping her father would hear.
If he did, he showed no sign of it. Dorothy swerved left into a street she remembered and turned to see if her father was still at her back. Mistake, he was upon her, his machete raised high to strike. 
Dorothy fell to the ground out of shock and covered her head with two crossed hands as she waited for her father to hit her. He didn’t; she woke up screaming.
Her husband, Chimezie, woke up and held her.
“What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” He asked, stroking her back.
Dorothy sighed and turned to him.
“My father tried to kill me.”
“Wow. Did he say why?”
“He didn’t say a word. He just kept chasing me with this big knife; I woke up before he struck. My dad of all people?”
“Don’t think too deep; It is well. We will pray about it; God is in control.”
They prayed and went back to sleep.

#2

Dorothy lay on a beach. The water was clear and green, and lush vegetation surrounded the land. She was lying on the sand in her bikini’s and wearing sunshades, under an umbrella.
She was the only person on the beach and loved it. It gave her pause, though. How did she get there, but she pushed the thought away. She wanted to rest after a harrowing work week. God heard her prayer, and she was where she needed to be. 
Dorothy fell asleep again, content with basking in the shadowed sunlight. A little while later, a series of events occurred that woke her up. She heard a loud hiss in her ear, then the slide of wet slippery skin on her. Her body shuddered at the contact, and she woke up.
She looked around and saw nothing for a while. Thinking she imagined all she heard and felt, she closed her eyes to sleep again when she heard the hiss from above her. She sat up and turned to check what it was, fearful thoughts filling her mind because she could already guess. 
Behind her lay a green Mamba, set to strike with its fangs open. Dorothy screamed and crossed her hands over her face again. 
This time, when she woke up, she could not stop screaming. Her husband held her down and put his palm over her mouth. After a while, she stopped crying, but the crazed look did not leave her eyes. She kept looking around the room for any signs of green, snake, or both. Her husband held her till she quietened down enough to tell her story.
“This is getting out of hand — first, your father, now a Mamba. Let me call the Pastor. I am anxious about this.” Her husband said, getting out of bed.
“Wait, it’s two in the morning. Let us wait for the day to dawn before we disturb the man of God. Don’t worry; I’ll be fine. Let us pray again.”
They prayed a second time and lay back to sleep. This time, Dorothy did not sleep at once; she hoped her husband would fall asleep, to hide the fact that she was too scared to drift off again.
She pondered over the meaning of her dreams. All she wanted to do was rest after a stressful week at work, but all she got were death dreams. Were they premonitions of her death or loss? She prayed in her heart, asking God for help and mercy. Dorothy fell asleep, still praying.

#3

Dorothy was walking deep into a cave, or so it looked. The walls were rough and hewn out of the earth. There were stacks of firewood stuck inside the earthen walls on the left and the right to give the place light. Once again, she was the only one walking along the path. Straight ahead, she saw closed doors. 
Dorothy hurried to them, eager to see what lay behind. She stopped at the door, wary. Out of nowhere, she remembered the dreams she had earlier and shrank back. 
What if this was another horror-filled adventure?
“Come in, daughter.” A voice said from behind the door. “Do not fear.”
Dorothy hesitated a little, then pushed the knob-less wooden doors in, opening them. She stepped into a big and empty room. In it, she searched for the man, who had called to her.
“Where are you?” She asked
“Here, in front of you.” He said
Dorothy looked straight ahead and saw a figure on a chair that looked like a throne.
“Come forward, do not be afraid.”
Dorothy walked forward for a while till it dawned on her that the man on the throne still looked far away. She did not understand how that could be, the room did not seem that big.
“Am I too far from you?” He asked
“Well, it does seem to take quite a distance to get to you.” She said, laughing.
He laughed. “It’s because that’s what you believe.”
“Pardon?” She said as she stopped walking.
Dorothy stepped back in shock when the man and his throne materialized before her in an instant.
“I am near to those who seek me with all their heart.” He said, smiling.
“That sounds like what God would say,” Dorothy said.
“A pleasure to meet with you.” The man said.
Dorothy’s mouth hung open.
“Are you saying…?” She said and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Yes, and you are here for some clarification.” He said and smiled again.
Dorothy remained quiet, unable to speak.
“You are looking for rest, daughter, in all the wrong places. Sleep does not give rest. Your family will not give you rest, and the exotic locations you wish to escape to, do not also have the peace you need. I am rest; I am the peace you seek.”
“But I believe in God and the Lord Jesus Christ,” Dorothy said.
“So, you say, but do you have peace? Are you not always worried about food for the house, money for survival, and making other people accept and love you?”
“Shouldn’t I be worrying about those things? I am a responsible parent and adult, after all.” She said.
“Yes, but the unbelievers live the same way. How are you different from them? He asked.
“I…” Dorothy stopped, searching for something to say. Nothing surfaced in her mind to counter what he said.
“Seek first, the kingdom and God’s righteousness, Dorothy, and all else would be added.”
“I don’t understand.” She said
“Trust in God, and only then will you find true rest for your soul. Stop carrying your burdens and drop them at the feet of Jesus. God created you for more than just survival. He gave you life, the life of a priest and king on the earth in Christ, wake up.”
Dorothy nodded, lost in thought.
“Is that what Jesus was telling Martha about Mary’s choice?” She asked
“Exactly.”
“How do I live such a life?” She asked again, as she noticed the man, his throne, and the cave crumbling.
“Ask, seek, and knock; find rest for your soul, Dorothy, my daughter.” The man whispered as he vanished, and Dorothy woke up.
She lay still for a while as she meditated on her dreams. She understood the message and knew who the man signified. Dorothy woke her husband up and asked him to pray with her. The prayer started new things in their lives, but above all, Dorothy found rest for her soul.

The End

‘For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.’ I Corinthians 13:9-10

Why?

The rhetorical question only God can answer most of the time. People don’t talk about the why’s of things, because we don’t know them. It is often too high for us to grasp and understand in depth.

Look at Job, a man who ‘seemed’ to have the right to a ‘why’. In Job, chapter 42:1-6, I will list Job’s response to God when he received true wisdom.

• Job understood God as all-powerful. 
• He realized that all he knew before encountering God and spoke about was in error, out of a lack of knowledge.
• At the point of repentance, his eyes of understanding were enlightened and he could see the Father.

Does God allow things to happen because he wants to use us as scapegoats to use? Does He use people at will for random tests? If that’s the case, then who’s next? In what country will he choose to allow another natural disaster? What business will he permit to be torn and destroyed, regardless of how much hard work the owners and staff have done? Whose family member is next? 

Job found out God is not a gambler, setting people up to see if they win or fail. He is a Father. He has seen our end from the beginning, and when He allows things in our lives, He uses those things to bring us from point A to B – Z.

What is man? Are we not dust, how can we know these things? It is hard to see that the pain was allowed for our glory and that we will look back and thank God for a lesson we learned from it one day.

Who wants the lesson? We need it.

When Job repented, God opened his eyes to see far beyond his human understanding, readying him for glory. God didn’t stop there. He doubled Job’s wealth from before and added sons and daughters. These acts were not to say sorry to Job; they were the fruits of a life transformed by God and lived for God. Through Job’s later life, God Introduced kingdom mindsets, culture, and lifestyle. The Job who could see God was not the same man we were introduced to in Job, chapter 1.

Let’s look at Jesus, another man with the right to a why.

• He was God, who became man
• Born as man, but without sin
• Hung on a cross for the sake of the world, totally innocent

Unlike Job, Jesus knew God and the reason for his pain. He endured it and died, resulting in you and me, kingdom promoters. Jesus died so that perfection can come.

God doesn’t need to wipe out people and things in our lives for a mere test, He is God. He allows things because unknown to the enemy, our Father will use the pain for our good and, in doing so, build for the kingdom. Would any parent knowingly throw his child into a fire? No. However, He allows us to go through what we need to for our sakes, to make us perfect in Him.

The sons of God understand that everything they have and are is for the kingdom; there is no middle ground. If God cannot use our lives, and all we have to build with, then we are not kingdom-minded. Abraham gave up one way of life for another, and still did not see the city he sought; Noah kept building, despite how mad he seemed; Jesus preached the kingdom and died for it, though there were no outward signs that the time for the Holy Spirit had come.

Job said, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.’ ( Job 42:5). Don’t be blinded by the roaring fire, and give up in the heat, look up to Jesus and see.

Till next time, be transformed!!

“For this [reason] the Father loves Me because I lay down My [own] life–to take it back again.” ‭‭John‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

They walked along the walk-way back to their hostels in silence, and sometimes, someone spoke, breaking it. They finished late, so the pastor asked the guys, Dane and Obi, to escort the girls, Uloma and Shirley, to their hostels before calling it a night.

“How can we be seated at the right hand of God, as we are now? Does it make any sense? How can God allow the things happening to continue and then tell us we are at His right hand? People go back to their parent-churches for this reason because all this breaking open of God’s word can drive someone crazy.” Shirley said with a hiss.

“Hah, Shirley, doubting Thomas. It’s by faith, and I am so blessed by this word of encouragement. What the word means is we are all far above principalities and powers of darkness, don’t you get it? When they try us, we are safe in Christ. Use your eyes of faith, girl. Uloma, talk to her, I see her falling off the Christian wagon soon.” Dane said and laughed.

Uloma turned and smiled, and at that exact minute, they heard a gunshot behind them, coming from the bushy area on their right.

Dane took off without a word to anyone.

Obi hurried the girls along, encouraging them not to worry, as he quoted scripture verses.

When they got close to the hostels, students gathered outside. Some asked them if they saw the shooter since they were coming from the direction of the shot. They ignored most of the questions, relieved they were alive.

“Where is that Christian wagon driver, who runs away at the first sign of trouble? Let him say one more thing to me about faith, and…” Shirley said and hissed. She turned to Obi.

“Thank you, Obi, the man of God.” She said hailing him. Uloma joined her, offering to buy Obi dinner.

“No, thanks, guys. I have to make an urgent call. See you tomorrow, good night.” Obi said and walked away.

He had to call home. The text on his phone from his brother worried him to no end. Would God allow his mother to die? Obi got to his room and thanked the Lord his roommate was out. He recharged his phone and called his family. Thirty minutes later, a crying Obi asked God, why? His mother remained unwell.

How could he be seated at God’s right hand and be experiencing such a heartbreaking situation? He decided not to sit still and let death take his mother. Obi prayed the rest of the night, begging, cajoling, and threatening God on his mother’s behalf.

The next morning, his phone rang early. He woke up on his knees beside his bed, took the call, and his little Christian heart died.

Uloma heard about Obi’s mom after he left for home. They were in the same department, and the Class Rep. broke the news to the class. She prayed that God would comfort him. Uloma also stayed up late thinking about the word they received the night before and what it meant. If they were seated in Christ in the heavenly places, did it mean bad things couldn’t befall them? Were Christians made for abundance alone in Christ?

She arrived at an idea later that day, a revelation. Since their lives were hidden in Christ, regardless of what they encountered, they were on solid ground. Uloma knew this applied to those who believed God’s plan remained intact, no matter what. It would take death in the flesh to live in Christ, like Christ. They would have to die to their human wisdom, to the fears which easily beset, and the pressure life throws. Only in death, would they live, and bear fruit. She hoped Obi had the same mindset and sent him a text.

He didn’t respond to her text, never did.

The Sower sowed on different soil, only one amongst the four would yield fruit.

Till next time, be transformed!!