The occurrence was at a prayer meeting in a church. Tola needed heaven’s intervention, and that, like yesterday. Her world was tumbling, and she had no idea how to stop it.
Face cupped in two hands, tears having a free course and snort adding colour to the occasion; she did not notice that other parishioners were in sight. She focused on getting heaven to accent and reprieve from all her woes.
After an eternity in that posture, more like when there was no more strength to weep, she got up and made to go home.
A few strides in the direction of the door, Amina accosted her; “who do you think you are, always carrying on like you owned the whole world!”
To say she was shocked to the bones would be putting it mildly. “Who was this lady, and why is she attacking me?” still trying to make sense of the ensuing drama, Tola’s thoughts were interrupted with “, am I not talking to you? Do you see what I am saying? I am in front of her, and she still ignores me!”
Convinced that there must be a mental issue, she gently answered, “Lady, I do not know what you are talking about. I don’t even know you.” “how will you know me? Are you not better than the rest of us? Only God knows what you will do if you are the president’s wife.
You talk as if you were there when they wrote the bible. Am I the only one in church? Why do you always use me as an example?”
The above is a true-life event that occurred after a church service. In the house of prayer, the citadel of truth, home of holiness.
Can you relate? Has anyone ever questioned why your very existence is showing them up? (They would not have put it in those exact terms, but the message would be the same.)
You would be in very good company if you answered in the affirmative.
They did the same to Jesus, fellows who should know. The ones who were custodians of history purportedly waiting for the coming of the Messiah. They had the brief, but they did not recognise the life. They had the shell, but the meat was missing. They were sure they knew Jesus’ pedigree and, by their reckoning, should not be able to wield such authority. Did you notice that the style is to cut down, not increase, on such occasions? It is crucial that you are brought low so they can remain on their high horses.
The aim of them folk is to discredit your existence and make nonsense of your purpose. The reason is simple. Your very essence exposes their inadequacies.
The modus operandi is to dig holes in your ideology without proffering any of theirs. It is usually a case of folk who are not ready to go and would not want another to pass them.
Having described the problem, how do we go about bringing the solution?
Go the way of Jesus. Instead, he maintained His stance, set the records straight and referred them to the same scriptures they often quoted.
He was gentle but firm. After all, He knew who He was, what He was about and how and when His mission was to be carried out.
Do not apologize for God’s gifts in your life. Authority is bestowed, not snatched.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Mathew 28:18
Understand that the grouse has nothing to do with you but everything to do with how you made them feel.
Admit that the only person you have control over is yourself.
Refrain from being dragged into arguments that do not lead anywhere but the human ego.
There was no denying that Jesus embodied power and authority. No one could talk like He did, let alone perform the miracles and wonders that characterized His ministry.
If you do your job well, dear child of God, such should be your testimony.
