© Ayo Omolayo
I wanted to give him no in capital letters, but there was a restraint in my spirit. I wanted to tell him the reasons why I cannot be given such a responsibility, but I noticed the spirit within disapproving my words.
“I have some questions on my mind. Please let me get back to you on this subject.”
“Okay!” He said as we arrived at the school gate.
We walked side by side and some of the students around, stared at us. Soon, those who knew me began to give me the look of surprise.
In no time, I was receiving greetings from all sides.
“Juliet! Where have you been?” Samson asked immediately he saw me.
“I was suspended.”
“I’m sorry about that. I also heard you had an accident!”
“No! But, yes I was admitted in the hospital.”
“What happened? Were you sick?”
“It’s a long story! We’ll talk about it later!” I said and we all entered the classroom.
“Juliet!” A couple of girls chorused and rushed to hug me.
I don’t know them, we barely spoke to each other while I was in class. How could they be so excited to see me?”
“IT’S THEM!”
“Who is them?”
“THEM!”
Recognition hit me! Haaaa! Jesus is Lord!
“DON’T BE AFRAID! DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOU STUDIED IN YOUR QUIET TIME TODAY?”
“Yes!”
“RECITE IT!”
Proverbs 16:7. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
“GOOD! MEANING THE ENEMIES WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND, RIGHT?”
“Yes.”
“BUT WHAT DOES PSALMS 119:98 SAY?”
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.”
“SO THROUGH THE COMMANDMENTS I GAVE YOU, YOU’RE SUPERIOR TO YOUR ENEMIES, RIGHT?”
“Yes!”
“SO WHAT’S THE PANIC FOR? EXCEPT YOU’RE PLANNING ON DISOBEYING ME. ARE YOU PLANNING TO DISOBEY ME?”
“No oooo! Not at all!”
“I KNOW YOU WON’T DISOBEY ME. ESPECIALLY WHEN I TELL YOU TO PREACH TODAY!” He said and I could feel him laughing within me.
“Daddy you’re looking for my trouble ooo!” I said laughing within me.
“Juliet how are you?” One of the girls asked, calling me back to reality.
“I’m fine!”
“That’s great. It’s so good to see you!”
“Daddy, how do I treat these girls?” I asked within me.
“ACT AS IF YOU DON’T KNOW THEIR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY!”
“Okay sir!”
“It’s good to see you too!” I replied the girls.
Soon the assembly bell rang and we all went out of the class to the assembly ground.
We all stood at the line. The school principal stood in front of us all. Fear almost gripped me, but I knew well enough that it was a spirit. So I quickly told the spirit to excuse me and I got my calmness back.
A student was called up the stage to lead praise and worship. The songs were boring as usual. Everyone was just gisting and whispering among themselves.
But I noticed Romeo was praising God with the whole of his heart. He paid a deaf ear to all those around him laughing. Students laughed him to scorn, but he wasn’t paying attention. He was clapping his hands and singing.
I felt guilty. Is this how I will continue to be ashamed of the Jesus in me?
Soon, Romeo’s eyes met me. I quickly clapped my hands the way he was clapping his. He smiled, I guess he was encouraged by the fact that he wasn’t alone.
I quickly thanked God for everything he had done in my heart. For sparing my life and even for the suspension. It helped me. I never knew the suspension served a great purpose. What would have happened if I wasn’t given time to recover at home?
In all things Lord Jesus, I give you thanks. I will not be ashamed of you.
Soon the principal stopped the songs and asked if any student was willing to share God’s word with everyone.
“Nobody as usual!” he said and there was an outburst of laughter.
I didn’t need to be told what to do. I knew the moment had come.
“Daddy, I know it’s time, please help me. How do I preach when I’m not the type that usually loves preaching?”
“JULIET! LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING. WHENEVER GOD IS ASKING YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT FEELS SO IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU, THE FIRST THING YOU MUST DO IS DON’T SAY NO.”
“Yes sir!”
“THEN THE SECOND THING TO DO IS TO IMMEDIATELY START ASKING GOD TO GIVE YOU THE POWER TO CARRY OUT HIS INSTRUCTIONS. WITHOUT ME, YOU CAN DO NOTHING. GOD WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO DO WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE. BEFORE HE TELLS YOU TO DO A PARTICULAR THING, THE GRACE TO CARRY IT OUT HAS ALREADY BEEN RELEASED.
BUT SATAN IS SUCH A DECEIVER. HE WANTS YOU TO KEEP LOOKING AT THE STRENGTH OF YOUR FLESH. HE WANTS YOU TO KEEP SEEING YOURSELF AS THE DOER, NOT GOD. AND AS LONG AS YOU ARE GAUGING YOUR ABILITY TO OBEY HIM BASED ON YOUR HUMAN STRENGTH, IT WILL REMAIN IMPOSSIBLE.
THE BIBLE SAID THAT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, BUT WITH MAN. SOMETHINGS ARE POSSIBLE, NOT ALL THINGS. THAT’S WHY YOU TELL GOD THIS ONE IS DIFFICULT OOO. BECAUSE JUDGING BY THE STRENGTH OF MAN, YOU CANNOT DO IT. BUT IF YOU SUBMIT TO GOD, AND ALLOW HIS GRACE TO FLOW THROUGH YOU. YOU’LL BE SHOCKED AT HOW YOU’LL WALK IN DOMINION.”
“Wow!”
“SO MY FIRST QUESTION HERE IS, ARE YOU WILLING TO OBEY ME?”
“Yes daddy! I am willing to share your word to this congregation.”
“GOOD! THEN START ASKING FOR GRACE!”
I bowed my head and began to whisper to God.
“Father I need your grace. Grace to not be ashamed of you in this adulterous and sinful generation. Grace to speak your word with boldness. Grace to share your love with the perishing. Father give me grace oh God.”
“JULIET!”
“Sir!”
“STEP FORWARD! TAKE THE STAGE!”
“Can we all stand erect for the national anthem!”
I made my way to the stage and he watched me with a surprise on his face.
“Young lady how may I help you?” He asked.
“You asked for someone to share God’s word with the students. Here I am!” I replied.
“Oh and of course! Good morning sir! I said with an apologetic smile.
I could tell by the looks on his face he was disappointed. He wasn’t expecting anyone to show up and was already making fun of it. Seem like I spoil show for the guy. Julie baby, you too much!” I said and with my imagination, blew a kiss at myself.
“What’s your name?” He asked.
“Juliet Anderson!”
“What? Are the the one who got suspended two weeks ago?”
“Yes!” I answered.
“How can you come up here with the guts to preach? You are not qualified to do so!”
“Then why did you ask for someone to preach if you were going to do a thorough screening before you allow them?”
He was silent for a while. I guess what I said got his attention.
“Alright! Go ahead! But you only have 7 minutes!” He said and turned to the congregation.
“Listen up everyone! This is Juliet Anderson! Juliet here, believes in preaching in Broadway academy. So let’s give her a round of applause.”
The crowd cheered and applauded.
“What did he mean by believing in preaching in Broadway academy? Hope my preaching doesn’t have any repercussions?”
I was somehow shy immediately I stood face to face with the mammoth crowd. I was so scared but I decided to do as Romeo did. I decided to ignore the side talks, giggling and scornful laughter.
“This was so impromptu but I want you all to listen to me. I know you’re all familiar with the bible but there’s something more than just reading the bible or going to church and hearing whatever the pastor preaches.
The bible says something about so many of you here in Hosea 6:1. It says;
Come on, let’s go back to God. He hurt us, but he’ll heal us. He hit us hard, but he’ll put us right again.
Verse 2. In a couple of days we’ll feel better. By the third day he’ll have made us brand-new, Alive and on our feet, fit to face him.
Verse 3. We’re ready to study God, eager for God-knowledge. As sure as dawn breaks, so sure is his daily arrival. He comes as rain comes, as spring rain refreshing the ground.”
Verse 4 “What am I to do with you, Ephraim? What do I make of you, Judah? Your declarations of love last no longer than morning mist and predawn dew.
Verse 5. That’s why I use prophets to shake you to attention, why my words cut you to the quick: To wake you up to my judgment blazing like light.
Verse 6. I’m after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.
Verse 7. You broke the covenant – just like Adam! You broke faith with me – ungrateful wretches!
God is saying something here that really caught my attention. He’s saying that your love for him is just like the morning dew. Immediately it’s midday, you’ve forgotten you said you loved Jesus. You’re already fraternizing with the devil. You’re already dipping your hands into sin and iniquity.
I want you all to realize that God is after love that lasts. Not just going to church to attend more prayer meeting. Not just singing in the choir only to call me back into your room to masturbate. He’s after love that lasts. You cannot continue living in sin this minute and the next minute you’re telling God to forgive you and the next minute, you’re back into sin.
It doesn’t work that way. Your spiritual life or should I say your relationship with God must be a strong and lasting relationship. Just like Jesus said, you cannot serve two masters. You’ll have to pick one and leave the other. So I’m asking you all just as Elijah asked the entire nation of Israel on mount Carmel.
How long will you stand between two options? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal is god, then follow him.
I want to ask you all. Is there anyone here who is willing to invite Jesus into his or her life? Is there anyone willing to accept this truth? Meet me here let me pray with you!”
I looked around, nobody came out. But I was shocked by the silence at the assembly ground. Many of them that were scorning and whispering to their friends when I started were now looking sober. They were all looking remorse and sad, but nobody came out.
I was about to pray over the message when a girl in the senior class stepped out and met me. There was laughter in the entire school. Who was this girl that the whole school was laughing at her.
“OPE!” The name sounded in my head.
“Ope? Who is Ope?”
That was when recognition hit me. Haaaa! This was the girl that Romeo told me about. The girl who Angela initiated into lesbianism. The school fellowship prayer coordinator.
I looked down at her and gave her a welcoming smile.
“Welcome back Ope!”
I saw the shock on her face.
“How did you know my name?” She asked.
“Your dad just told me!” I answered smiling.
“Are you a prophet?”
“Wow! Daddy, am I a prophet? This one I’m knowing the names of people without asking from them?” I asked within me with so much excitement.
“TELL HER TO LEAVE IT FOR ANOTHER DAY!”
“Let’s leave that question for another day!” I answered.
“Can you pray this prayer with me?”
She had tears in her eyes as she kept looking at me like one prophet sent from the tribe of Judah.
To be continued…….
Weldone Juliet!
Broadway academy is in for more trouble. The Jesus Slay Queen Juliet has arrived! Ha ha ha ha ha! 🤣😂🤣🤣
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
This scripture made me to realize that for me to even desire to obey God, it was God that placed that desire in me. And from me to proceed into carrying out that obedience to God, it is still God that will make it possible.
So what are we fighting for? Why do we keep telling him it is impossible? I cannot do it.
When it is him who will give us the grace to do it. All you need to do is to be willing. Pray for grace and remember, Faith without works is dead. So after asking for grace, you take the step of faith like Peter and step out of the boat and walk on the water like Jesus.
Even if Jesus says ‘Come,’ as long as you remain in your boat of assumption. What will people say? Won’t they laugh at me? How can I preach to Mr so and so? Won’t it affect our friendship?
You’ll never be able to walk on water if you continue that way. So after asking for grace, take the step of faith. Go after that mountain and take it down for Jesus.
I believe God has spoken to someone struggling with evangelism.
INSPIRED BY THE BREAD OF LIFE
WRITTEN BY AYO OMOLAYO
YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST 🙏
