© Ayo Omolayo
We all sat down together. The twelve people I led to Christ and myself. Sure Ope and Romeo were there. Romeo finally came back with a smile on his face.
I was happy he had recovered from the sad past the devil wanted to run on him.
“How do you feel?”
“I feel forgiven! I feel awesome! I’m….. Infact, I don’t know how to explain. I was scared at a point. But God is so faithful and awesome. He told me that he is able to preserve me and keep me from falling. So I should not worry about the future. He was going to be with me every step of the way.
“That’s lovely!”
“Juliet, you said something while you confronted that lady!”
“You mean the bat?”
“The lady that transformed into the bat!”
“Please, call her bat! I don’t want to hear you calling her lady. Person wey dey turn to bat, that one na human being?”
“No ma!” He chuckled.
“So go one with your question.”
“It’s not something serious sha. But you called me your spiritual son while confronting her.”
“Really?”
“Yes! And you have been telling us not to call you our mummy!”
“So what are you trying to say?” I asked and faced him raising my palm as if I was going to slap him.
“Haaaa! Mummy please na!”
I made to slap him and he ran out.
That was a few minutes when recess began. A few seconds later, he came in with Ope and Rita. That was where I decided that all the new converts should come for a little bible study.
So all the 12 students who got born again yesterday, gathered around while I taught them the word of God. Soon, I discovered there were new faces around but many of them were only watching from a distance. I continued what I was doing and it was really turning into a wonderful time as the converts were all asking questions.
“Excuse me Miss Anderson, but are you trying to say that I have to do this quiet time of a thing everyday? What if I fall sick or I am so weak and decide to rest just for one day? You said that the man who had a field slept and just that same night that he slept, his enemy came to plant terrible seeds in his heart.
Those seeds represent the works of the devil. And even though the man was now a child of God, he began to notice weeds in his spiritual life. I want to ask, this consistency with quiet time, it’s not something easy ooo. Can’t we do it when it’s convenient?”
I wanted to answer, but I saw my daughter raising her hand.
“You want to say something?”
“Yes, I want answer that question.”
“Okay! Go ahead.”
“Veronica! You see something about Christianity. It is not bread and butter. It is a narrow road. You need to understand that even the bible calls us christian soldiers. Christianity is a journey for those who have made up their minds to walk on a narrow road.
First I need to read something for you in that scripture we read.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Verse 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Now I need to ask you all a question. Why is the narrow road having only few people on it? Who can answer that question?”
A girl raised her hand.
“Yes, go ahead!”
“Because it is difficult. If it were easy, the road will be crowded.”
“Excellent! That’s why the bible says that you should fight! But who are you fighting?”
“The devil!” A boy answered.
“The devil is the least of your problems. Infact the devil is at the mercy of the assistance of your number one enemy. Who can tell me the number one enemy of every believer in Christ?”
“Your body!” Romeo answered.
“Exactly! Your body is your number one or should I say, your arch enemy. Your body will fight to be in bed when you’re supposed to pray. Your body will fight to stay away from prayer. It is ready to tell you he is tired, just to stop you from doing what he hates doing the most, praying.
That’s why the bible said that you should fight. Do everything in your power to enter in through the straight gate. Discipline yourself to follow the narrow road. Many people desire to, but will not be able, why?
Because they are not willing to pay the price that it takes to put your body under subjection. The road to heaven is not easy and even Jesus himself was able to announce that to us. That should make us realize that this journey we are embarking on is not an easy one.
But we must come with an accurate knowledge of what we are coming after and chase it like our lives depends on it. Many of us Christians are yet to realize that our lives depends on what we are doing. If at all, the lives of all this destinies attached to us means anything to us.
Imagine if Joseph had failed to walk the narrow way? What would have happened to his family? What would have happened to Egypt? Everyone would have been suffering from 7 years of serious hunger, n ot knowing that that the deliver is in Portiphar’s house masturbating or sleeping with the wife of Portiphar.
This is a serious matter. Many of us need to sit down and ask ourselves, how long will I continue to walk on the easy and Broadway? It’s time to tell ourselves, I will carry my cross and follow Jesus!”
As soon as she rounded up her speech, a long period of silence followed. I was just speaking in tongues within me. I looked around and saw the ripple effect of what she had spoken written on their faces.
“Can we all sing this song?” I asked.
“I have decided,
To follow Jesus.
I have decided,
To follow Jesus.
I have decided,
To follow Jesus.
No turning back.
No turning back.”
We all began to sing and I could see some of them crying as they poured out their heart before the Lord.
“OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK LEFT!” Came the instruction.
I did and saw a girl standing at the door with watery eyes. She wasn’t praying along with us and she was not part of the class yesterday.
I tapped Ope to continue the song. Then I pulled Romeo to a corner and told him to pray in tongues as I speak to that hungry soul.
My team was set. I had the backup I needed, so I approached the lady.
“Hello!”
She didn’t say a word, but her eyes were on me.
“Listen my friend. The doors of salvation is widely open. Jesus is calling you with outstretched arms. Accept the love he offers you and enjoy the peace that is in Christ Jesus. No more need to struggle with bitterness and unforgiveness. Jesus has paid for your sins long before you were born. Walk into his loving arms ams watch him throw you a welcome party.”
“How did you know?” She asked with shock written in her expression.
I noticed it the moment I mentioned something.
“Know what?”
“That I was struggling with bitterness and unforgiveness?”
I was shocked as well, but a smile appeared on my face.
“I don’t know, but it is as the Holy Spirit that put those words in my mouth to say to you.”
She sighed.
“How do you forgive the devil?” She asked.
I was confused. Is she trying to say the devil offended her and cane to ask for her forgiveness?
“I don’t understand!”
“How do you forgive the monster that rapes his own daughter? How?” She asked and tears dropped from her eyes.
I quickly grabbed her and made her cry on my shoulders.
“It’s okay darling! Jesus is willing to accept you!”
“I know!” She replied, pulling herself out of my grip.
“I know! I have been told that often and often. But they keep telling me that I must forgive that bastard of a father before I can be free and accepted by Jesus.
I have sworn by God who made me. I will never forgive that monster. He took away my priceless virginity with a wicked smile on his face and you are telling me to forgive him? Never!”
I saw rage written all over her. I looked around to check if Romeo was still praying and found him on his knees praying.
“Daddy, this one pass me ooo!”
There was no response.
“Daddy, don’t leave me! Please tell me what to do!”
“MY SILENCE IS ALSO A RESPONSE. KEEP PREACHING!”
“Young lady! Refusing to forgive your father doesn’t make him suffer. It doesn’t make him your prisoner. It only makes you a prisoner in your own cell. You need to understand that you’re actually doing yourself a lot of good by dropping the baggage of sin you’re carrying.
You’re not doing your Dad a favour by forgiving him. You are doing yourself a lot of good when you forgive him.”
“You don’t understand! The man is not repentant. He is not even sorry fro what he did to me. He still has the guts to beat me when I disobey him. He is a devil. Infact, he is the devil in human form.”
“Then we will pray for him, so God will save his soul.”
“God forbid!” She said with utmost disgust.
“Me? Pray for that devil? Over my dead body!” She twirled her hand over her head and snapped her fingers.
I felt like this was a difficult case.
“Sis please! Surrender! You have been fighting with your best strategy and weapon. It got you nowhere. Rather, it lead to serious depression and failure. Jesus said, come to me, all you who have laboured and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke and learn from me. For I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. God’s yoke is easier than this heavy weight of unforgiveness you’re carrying.
God’s yoke is lighter than the weight of bitterness you have bottled up in your heart. The weight keeps getting heavier everyday. Can’t you see it’s about to crush you? It’s too much for you.
Why not allow Jesus carry it for you? Why not surrender to him and allow him rewrite your story? Give him a chance!”
She wiped her tears.
“I believe I taken enough of your time. Your friends are waiting for you to go and round up the prayers. You can go. Leave me to my bitterness and unforgiveness. I’ll sort myself out. I will not rest until I make that bastard to pay for what he did to me. I swear! He will suffer and die at my hands.”
“Haaaa! You want to kill a soul?”
“Is that one a soul? He’s a demon!”
“Please!”
“Look pastor woman. Go! You have been kind enough to borrow me your time. Please, let me be!”
“Please!” I took her hand.
“Don’t reject this offer Jesus is giving you! Tomorrow may be too late!”
She exhaled.
“I will make up my mind by next week Monday. I understand what you are talking about. It’s just that I’m not ready right now.”
“What if tomorrow never comes?”
“It will! It will definitely come. God will allow me to see tomorrow!”
“Kayla!” A girl stood and called from a distance.
“I have to go now! My friend is waiting for me.”
Before I could say anything further, she left in the speed of light.
“Kayla what is wrong with you?” I heard her friend say.
“Of all the people in the world to speak with it was that Mummy Pastor that you saw. You’re a stupid girl ooo!”
“I’m sorry!” She apologized.
“How will you open your mouth and be sharing your secrets with that girl? Is something wrong with your head?”
“Please! I said I’m sorry!” Kayla replied.
The girl hissed and walked out on her. Kayla pursued her apologizing.
“Valentina! Please na!” She said as she ran after her friend and soon, they were out of sight.
I came back and met Romeo still praying.
“Daddy what happened today? Why would you send me on an assignment if all you wanted was for me to fail?”
To be continued………
What do you think happened here?
What do you think was responsible for the stony heart Kayla possessed?
Get ready for the next episode as we learn THE MYSTERY BEHIND THE STONY HEART OF THE UNREPENTANT SINNER.
it’s a class you don’t want to kiss, especially those of you interceeding for a lost souls and you’re almost getting frustrated at how they are not yielding any positive results.
Come with your pen and jotter.
By the way Juliet asked a question that needs answer ooo. 😂🤣😂😂😂
“Person wey dey turn to bat, that one na human being?”
INSPIRED BY THE BREAD OF LIFE
WRITTEN BY AYO OMOLAYO
YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST 🙏
