Seems just like yesterday I wrote about the cross over night and ushering in the new year and here we are, seven days already into the eleventh month of the year. God's been faithful. I hope 2016 has been all we anticipated and prayed and planned. If there are pending deliverables yet to be actualized, fret not. The remaining 54 days are more than enough for a dramatic change.
On my part, my resolutions are coming early. By God's grace and with His help, posts here are going to be steady and frequent from 2017. #WePromise #TheHolySpiritAndI. 😀😀
Now, unto what made me dust up and start writing again- on this platform. For the first time in my life on Saturday, I got into the back of a hilux van (FYI: all by my humble self) #LiftingShouldersSmall. Not only did I board, I had the pleasure of a ride.
Ok. Complete story.
Lagos International Trade Fair, an annual event organised by the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry is currently on-going and I had cause to be there on said Saturday, for work.
I had earlier taken the journey between the fair grounds and my base office four times (to and fro twice each). I definitely was not looking forward to another one, especially considering the fact that I would still need to go back to the BRT terminus at the same TBS to board a bus home. Did I mention the hot sun? Pheeew!!!
You can imagine my relief when I learnt there was an option of a car ride back, I grabbed the offer with both hands. See me nursing the thoughts of an airconditioned comfy ride back to the office until I stepped out to realise there was no more space in the van. I didn't think much of it, so long as I would be off my feet, so I agreed to sit in the bed of the truck. Good enough I was wearing a pair of jeans. No time to check time abeg, I just climb. Trying to be like one of the boys I initially sat at the edge until one of them advised me to sit inside the bed and hang on. As soon as the driver turned on the ignition, someone “threatened” she would take a picture and post it on Facebook. That gave me an idea, so I told one of my co-passengers to take as many pictures as possible as we were moving. I was feeling cool. Smiling and making faces and generally having a nice time.
However, just before we drove off, some one casually asked, “why are you sitting with the guys inside pick up, abi you don’t know it’s dangerous?”. The answer was simple. I was tired. As someone famous best put it, “My feet is tired”. The two at that point were a uniform mass of tired and aching tendons and ligaments from the ankles down.
In seconds, I was assaulted with doubts. At that instant, I imagined falling off. I imagined the embarrassment if I ever slid off my perch to sprawl all over the floor of the pick-up bed. I imagined passers-by laughing at me. I imagined the loss of my “image” as a “lady” to be replaced with “that girl that was forming paparazzi and fell off a moving van”. I became scared and terribly self conscious.
At some point I shut my eyes. My camera guy didn’t get that. May be he too was having doubts.
I felt everybody was looking at me. I turned my face away from the camera.
Close to TBS gate, a young lady I had interacted with earlier in the day and assisted saw me and waved a smiling greeting. In-grained courtesy demanded I smile and wave back, so I did.
After that, I was like, God I won’t allow any yeye fear or self consciousness rob me of enjoying this cool evening breeze. Then I faced my mind sqaurely, “ehen, you are riding in a truck and so what? How does that affect the price of garri? Anybody looking at me and thinking whatever, ‘for im back pocket’”. Mentally, I did a “gbagbe osi”, and threw my legs out, balanced well well and enjoyed the ride.
Sometimes we start off well like Peter in his walk on water. We are totally trusting, eager, raring even for an adventure in life or ministry or career or even just a new hobby. We can't wait to take new territories and do new things for God and with God and because of God. We throw ourselves into it and we are using all criticisms as stepping stones. Then a comment, a thought, a flash, most times from a well meaning loved one/or ourselves, comes at us, seemingly out of the blues. And plants the dreadful seed of fear, doubt, or worse still of pride. We lose focus of the goals, and we start looking at our surroundings. We stop looking at our Caller and stare hopelessly instead at the path He is taking us through. You know, like ignoring the caller, not picking a call so we can complain about the ringtone. Rather than fixing our gaze on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith and the expected end He has in stock for us, (Heb 12:12, Jer 29:11) we start analysing trends and comparing history. Then we stop walking on water and we start sinking, to the confirmation of the nay-sayers and their "I told you sos".
May be just like me, you have hopped on, literally jumped at God's purpose for your life. You had done it all by yourself severally and you were tired. You heard the good news and you came for rest in Christ. You whole-heartedly embraced His love for you, keying into His promises as it were, only to realise, there is no space in the car for you. It seems you have to tough a rough ride in the bed of the truck. Keep your joy my sister, stay excited my brother, you know why, God is still behind the steering. This is but a phase in your unique journey, the destination is a far greater weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17). Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Bring every thought under subjection to the obedience of Christ. (Prov 4:23, 2 Cor 10:5). It’s an old trick of the enemy, making us question God and to doubt His ever sure, infallible Word. Satan would always try to blind our eyes to the fact that your once tired feet are now resting, while magnifying before us those in the air conditioned interior of the car enjoying a “smooth ride”.
Dearie, when next the devil comes to prey on your mind (trust me, he will come around) with thoughts of mockery, fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, rebuke the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). As for the human elements he is using, smile, pump your fists at them, and with a mental gbagbe osi declare "God's got me, my Dad’s got this”.
If you don"t know Christ for yourself yet, here is an invitation. Come meet the God who loves you more than you can imagine. Just say these words of prayer with all of your heart.
"Dear Jesus, I come before you today, acknowledging my sin.
And acknowledging you died for me.
Right now, I ask you,
Forgive me all my sins, wash me with your Blood
Save me, Come into my heart
Be my Lord, and my personal saviour.
Thank you Jesus Christ, for saving me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Welcome to this awesome relationship. Welcome to the family of God. HugsAndMoreHugs.
God bless you.
Photo Credit:@bumbleandbristle via pinbrowse and @DPreachersKid
