New Book: Life and Curveballs
Hello, the book above contains a collection of stories that I have written over the years. Interesting short stories and a play. It can be found on Amazon. Find link below https://a.co/d/0aZUBXuH
When You Pray…
Written by Jennifer Azubuike At the close of work one day, I jumped into my car happy to head home. The radio came on as soon as I turned on the engine; it was a Christian radio station so I didn’t mind. I drove and listened as the host asked listeners to call in and define the acronym ‘PRAY.’ It was during this conversation, I heard for the first time the breakdown of the word. I call “pray” a word because I had never thought of it as an acronym before that moment. Before I go any further, here’s a useful context on prayer. The first time Jesus taught His disciples to pray, his words were recorded in the excerpt below. Later, His prayer was termed ‘Our Lord’s prayer.’ Over time it became the template that Christians use to pray. His words go thus: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’’’ Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2,4 His prayer, when analyzed, contains elements of praise or reverence, repentance then requesting. I can summarize it as praise-repent-ask. However, The fourth letter of the acronym ‘Y’ as in yield caught me unaware since that element is not immediately apparent until you look closer – “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Yield by dictionary definition means to surrender to someone or something. If praying, as I know it, is mainly about listing personal desires to God with the expectation that He would do them like a child asking his/her parents for something, what has ‘surrender’ anything to do with it? But then as I thought about it I was reminded of Jesus’s example in Matthew 26 just before he was arrested and crucified. ‘Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” ‘Matthew 26:39 Jesus made that prayer the night He was betrayed into the hands of the people who would later kill him. Being all-knowing, He knew what was coming at that moment and was burdened by it, so he asked God to change his fate of death. It was a legitimate request because it was his heart’s desire at that moment, yet after asking he surrendered to God’s will. Because he surrendered, God’s will was established; today we celebrate salvation, deliverance, and many more through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yielding is a part of praying which I have missed for so long. Of course, it will not be easy to incorporate into praying unless I can trust that God’s thoughts toward me are “thoughts of peace and not of evil to give [me] a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 **I’d love to read your thoughts on this in the comment section** Until next time, stay lifted! See other uplifting posts here
Faith’s Check
Written by Jennifer Azubuike —- “Faith! Where is Faith?” Ben called. “Faith? Who is Faith?” The librarian asked. “The teenage girl in glasses and a yellow backpack. She just came up the stairs.” “Oh! She walked to the fiction aisle to find a book. She should be around the corner.” “Thank you!” Ben waved as he walked away. “Faith.” He called in a near whisper when he found her. “Hey, What are you doing here?” Faith asked, surprised to see her father’s assistant. “I have something for you.” He unlocked his plastic file and removed an envelope. “Your father asked me to give you this.” Faith collected it from him and opened it. She quickly read a note contained inside and her countenance changed. Ben, on noticing her sadness, collected the note. Dear Faith, I am so sorry I had to hurry away on short notice. I have included a check to buy the things you requested. I promise to go with you to the science fair when I return on Tuesday. Love, Dad. He glanced back at her confused. “What is wrong? Why are you looking sad?” “I asked him for money. He gave me a check.” She said with her head lowered. “Isn’t a check as good as money? Let me see the check.” Ben collected the envelope and retrieved the check from inside. “Whoa! What exactly do you need this much to buy?” “Doesn’t matter. I asked for money, not a check.” “Okay, come let’s take a seat. There’s something I need to explain to you.” When seated, Ben asked, “Honey, what is your name?” “Did you forget my name or do you have sudden amnesia?” Faith was still upset. “Silly girl! Just answer the question.” “Faith! My name is Faith.” She answered reluctantly. “And what is the meaning of your name?” “It is to have confidence in something according to my dictionary, but my dad said it is the evidence of something someone hopes for.” “Excellent! Do you understand it? I mean your dad’s definition.” “No. Why would I hope for something I already have? It makes no sense.” “Great question! You hoped for money, but your dad gave you a check. When you take this check to the bank, because it is signed in your father’s name, the bank will exchange this piece of paper for the amount of money written on it.” “What if it is declined?” “Declined? Why would it be declined?” “I don’t know?” She shrugged. “Do you know who your father is?” Ben looked at the girl, stunned. “Do you know your dad can purchase this town, including your favorite library? And I mean this building you like to visit.” Faith was quiet momentarily as she gazed at him thoughtfully. “That means this check is evidence of the money I hope for?” “Yes, princess. It is the evidence you can present at the bank.” “Wait! If this check is my evidence like you said, then am I a check? Is that why I am called Faith?” Ben chuckled. “ You will have to ask your father. I am almost certain he has a good explanation” * * * In the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews, the new King James version defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” while the New International version words it as “[the] confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Whichever version helps for easier comprehension, I still like to describe faith as a check on which is written God’s promises that we can hold on to until we see the manifestation of what is promised. While the young girl in the story above can take her ‘check’ to the bank at any time, I understand that our check of promise (AKA faith) is cashed at the timing of God’s will. For instance, Abraham waited for 25 years but Manoah and his wife only had to wait for about nine months. Nonetheless, if God has promised it and you believe it, it will surely happen. Since the Almighty God is the account holder, your check will never bounce. Till next time, stay lifted! You can read another encouraging post here.
The Beautiful Mind
Written by Jennifer Azubuike It was a hot July day. I was sweaty in my scrubs and was hunched over under the weight of a heavy backpack on the streets of Kensington. I was in a scrub because I was one of the young health professional students going around to give free basic health screens to anyone who paid attention to us, and my heavy backpack contained our tools. I was walking along the road with my other two team members when a man approached us. He looked unkempt and somewhat sickly, so it was hard to tell his age. A rough guess would be mid-30s to 40s. “Please let me use your phone.” He waved at us. In a notorious place like Kensington, it would be naive and stupid to respond to such a request sympathetically, so we ignored him. “Please let me use your phone to make a call.” He pleaded again following us. “Today is my birthday. I just want to call my mother.” On hearing his last sentence, the woman who served as our interpreter stopped so we all did. He spoke in English so she didn’t need to interpret. However, she asked him a couple of questions for clarification. When she seemed satisfied, she took her phone from her handbag to our dismay, and handed it to the man. We tried to caution her but she asked us to hold our peace. So, we stood back and watched. Standing right in front of us, this man I will call Sam called his mother, spoke with her for a few minutes, hung up, and handed the phone back to our interpreter. We had feared that he might run away with the phone but we judged him too quickly! As he returned the phone, he gave a brief synopsis of his life. He was a drug addict. His addiction started with painkillers that were prescribed to him during tooth extraction back when he was a child. The addiction caused him to leave home and lose relationships – and I bet it also caused him not to have any structure in his life. Thankfully, his mother would still take his call, so he made it a point to call her on his birthdays. The encounter with Sam has stayed with me over the years and returned to me when in the recent time a young man, when asked about handling peer pressure to use recreational drugs, said he would not do it because he valued his mind. “I regard my mind as the most powerful asset that I own. I will not take anything that will mess it up.” [paraphrased] I have turned those words over in my head a few times. If you think about it, the mind is the seat of thoughts and emotions. Even though the mind receives external inputs and influences, it navigates them to form the unique thoughts that we act on every day. Thus, our lives take on a structure from the building blocks sourced from our minds. How about creativity? Any existing structure or art that man created was sourced from the mind. For instance, cars! The necessity to travel around faster must have pushed the first inventor into employing the power of his mind, nonetheless, it came from the MIND! The scriptures say that God created man in his image. I believe the Creator wanted man to have the ability to create like Himself, so he gave him a mind. If the beautiful and useful structures our eyes behold, including the works of art we appreciate every day were made from the power of the mind then the mind is beautiful. Why mess it up? Why devalue your mind and numb it with drugs, alcohol, or any addictive substance? If your only chance of stamping your name in the face of time is in the ink of your mind, why give it up? However, in Sam’s case, the open door to addiction was not his choice. While that is unfortunately true for many, if it can be helped please seek help. “It is better not to start than to try to break [an] addiction.” – Dr D.K Olukoya Till next time, stay lifted! Read another uplifting blog here
IF I DO
Written by Jennifer Azubuike I recall the moment Mark proposed. We were shopping for shoes and had turned into a quiet corner so I could sit and try on some sandals when he went down on one knee. I thought he did so to help me buckle the sandal, but he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. Inside contained a gold ring with an oval cut diamond. He took it out, held it in one hand then looked up at me. All this time I watched him and managed to stay calm but my heart was pounding resoundingly in my chest as I realized what was happening. “What should I say?” I thought. “Should I just say yes? Oh, God! I don’t know if I have thought this through. Maybe I should feign nausea and run to the bathroom to gain time to think.” My thoughts raced and I broke out into a sweat. Thankfully, he had the decency of not proposing under the watchful eyes of strangers. Yet, I felt a large amount of pressure. My throat closed up and my tongue felt paralyzed in my mouth. “If you’re so fearful, why are you in a relationship with him? Were you never expecting him to propose or was your relationship not that serious?” You may ask. Our relationship was serious and yes, I had a hunch he’d propose. The truth is that beyond the fact that a yes to Mark was a big decision with a lifetime consequence, there was more…let me tell it in a story. * * * Three years earlier, a bubbly Naya and my bright-eyed self reported to our pastor’s office for an appointment on a beautiful morning. While we waited for our turn, we bantered and giggled softly. It was an exciting time for my sister because she was looking forward to being hitched to the love of her life. While sitting there, however, Naya showed an undercurrent of nervousness. She would occasionally pick her nails or wriggle her fingers. “Ms. Obi, the pastor is ready to see you.” The secretary called. “OK. Thank you.” Naya replied to the secretary then turned to me. “Kay, Please wait here for me.” “Where would I go if you have the car keys? Good luck.” I smiled at her. I watched my sister walk into the office and fiddled with my nails. Somehow, I contracted her nervousness unwillingly. As I reflect now, I wonder if I was nervous for Naya or myself. “The wedding could be canceled even on its scheduled day if they fail to meet all requirements specified by the church,” I remembered an elder telling my mother several months before. After eavesdropping on that conversation, I subtly picked up a conversation with my sister to gauge her readiness for the strict rules she could face. “Of course, I will follow all the rules within reason.” Naya shrugged “What if they insist you cannot have a bridal train?” I asked again. “I don’t mind that at all.” “What if you cannot kiss your groom during the ceremony.” “That is fine. I want our first kiss to be intimate anyway.” “What if you cannot exchange rings for your vows.” “That is not possible. Ring exchange is a significant part of making vows.” “I know, but what if?” “Like I said, I will follow all rules as long as they are within reason,” I noted that my sister was somewhat oblivious to the strictness surrounding weddings here and I don’t blame her. I and Naya traveled to the U.K at the tender age of 7 and 11 respectively, and spent most of our teenage and young adult years there. Two years ago, Naya, finished her schooling and started working to support me until I finished too. We knew it was time to return to our home country after Sunny formally proposed to her. Since we returned, there have been varying degrees of culture shock. Regardless, we have tried to adjust since it is our original home, culture, people, and community. Today, I am nervous because I know that whatever be the outcome of today’s meeting will set the tone for my wedding in the future since I cannot feign ignorance to any degree. But I convinced myself that I shouldn’t be worried since that future is still far off. I was not in any serious relationship yet. Nonetheless, this church has been my family’s church for several generations and it is where I would be expected to tie the knot whenever that time comes. Approaching footsteps interrupted my reverie. “You’re done already?” “Let’s leave.” “You don’t look happy. What happened?” “Let’s just go,” Naya said in a near-breaking voice. “Please tell me what happened?” “We will talk in the car,” Naya said as she turned to walk away. Seated in the car, my sister wanted to start the engine and drive. “Hold up! You are making me anxious. What the heck happened?” “I got into the office and was expecting to get a date confirmed since we had already submitted several dates for the church to choose from. Instead, the pastor asked me a series of questions, and at the end concluded that I and Sunny are not ready to set a date yet.” “Why would he say that?” I asked, surprised. “Well, according to him we have not fulfilled the major requirements.” Naya tried to mimic the pastor. “We can start working on them. Did
GET UP, SOLDIER!
Written by Jennifer Azubuike What have you tripped over? What has caused you to fall? Sin, burden, oppression, or injustice? Maybe you lay there tired or ashamed. “It is over for you,” the accuser whispers. Beloved, the battlefield of life is rough. For a Christian, it is fierce. If you still don’t know it, Then you have not learned from the veterans gone before. At the peak of any battle, bullets fly carelessly. Physical bullets from relationships and responsibilities presented hardship that emotionally slammed you. Or spiritual bullets of fear and oppression have pierced you. As carefully as you have tried to duck and dive Through the firing line, yet, you have been hit. Now, you are down, hurt, and discouraged. Get up, soldier! For sin, there is still grace. For injustice, your savior is an avenger. Is it a burden? Jesus can carry it. Weak and discouraged? Reach out to other soldiers, unashamed. Whatever it be, do not give up. The battle may rage, but your commander has won the war. The flag though He still wants you to fly And endure hardship as a good soldier of His. But when you rise again be sure to check your armor; Your helmet, breastplate, shield, and sword. Is any missing or shifted? Get up, good soldier! Partly adapted from 2 Timothy 2:3-4: You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. Till next time, stay lifted! You can read other posts here
Your sphere of Influence
Written by Jennifer Azubuike “Khalil! Will you stop running!” Erica scolded. The little boy looked up at his mother and slowed down. He looked around. Wasn’t anything engaging at a doctor’s office? He wondered. “Khalil!” She shrieked and reached quickly to catch the falling flower vase her son just moved. Luckily she caught it. “If you break anything here, I’ll break your head!” She threatened in quick breaths. It was her usual threat whenever her sons misbehaved. On hearing the familiar threat, 6-year-old Troy looked up at his mother and then at his little brother. He thought about playing with him so their mom could concentrate on the writing she was doing but no. The game was too interesting to set his iPad down. The next minute Khalil disappeared and no one noticed. Then came a loud bang and thuds then things breaking. Everyone rushed to see. There stood a terrified but unharmed Khalil beside a tumbled desk with office items strewn all over including some broken glass. “Oh, Khalil.” The tired mother groaned and hunkered down to her knees beside the catastrophe. “Bash!” Everyone looked up again. Troy has hit his brother on the head with a metal stapler. Khalil shrieked. Mommy screamed and rushed for her son. “What did you do that for?” “He broke something, so I broke his head.” * * * Many people exist without the consciousness of the impact they make in the immediate environment where they live their everyday lives. In a home, for example, the sphere of influence of a mother is mostly on her kids and immediate family, and for a teacher, it is most readily his or her students. But these are too obvious and are expected. So I wanted to shine some light on the spheres outside of our expected place of influence. It is most interesting to me that sometimes influences are subtle and even unnoticeable at first. For example, the choice of fashion that a person makes without much thought each day could quietly hold a strong admiration for someone else even if they never say a word about it. In a specific instance, I encountered a young man who chose to smoke cigarettes because an older relative he admires smoked and vowed to only quit when his idol quits. The interesting thing is that this idol only recently learned about this vow. In addition, points of influence are hardly pre-determined by the influencer. I mean, while we can intentionally impact people using words, anything about you could impress and influence anybody including your voice, manner of speech, self conduct, work ethic, tardiness or punctuality, mannerisms, etc. Yes, people notice things about you every day. My purpose is to cause awareness and encourage us to wield this tool positively. Adults, please note that younger people could go beyond admiration to pick up on habits they have witnessed. Just as Troy smacked his brother on the head with a piece of metal because he thought it was what his mother would do, he can also become more compassionate, assertive, or enunciate better because someone around him does the same. So be intentional in everything not out of pressure to impress anyone in particular, but out of the consciousness that you could be leaving a trail of legacy as you go. Read the previous post here
In the Waiting Room
Written by Jennifer Azubuike While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. “Where is your wife, Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So, Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh. (Gen 18:7-15) * * * Physically, a waiting room is a place provided for people to wait for their turn for something, and everyone has used one at some point; either at the doctor’s office, the bus station or public restroom. In life, this waiting room translates to a stretch of time a person waits for something they desire to happen. It could be for a job, a baby, a spouse, residence permit…the list goes on. For a Christian, the place of waiting is also a stretch of time to wait for something but in this case is believing God to do that thing of desire which he/she cannot do for themselves. I do not know a Christian who has not waited. Examples are also abundant in the scriptures. The waiting room can be dark and lonely. Dark because you usually do not know when the waiting will end and lonely because You may have kept it a secret, so nobody knows you need support Some friends, family or acquaintance are privy to your situation but don’t know exactly how to help so they physically or emotionally distance themselves Some people are quite supportive but are fighting their own battles Some do not understand at all or may want to help but just end up hurting you with their actions or words (Remember Job’s wife?) People at their best can only support you in those times. The deal is still between you and God. Can I tell you why God makes us wait? Absolutely not! I don’t know. Infact, I sometimes imagine there is a long line of requests in heaven with all the prayers that go up from here, but I don’t really know the answer. Besides, Job’s reason of waiting was different from Joseph’s. Here’s something I have learned though; with God the process of waiting is just as important as the desired goal or destination. If we allow it, the waiting period has the power to build, change, and teach us something valuable. In the meantime, to survive the waiting room. Pray. I mean never allow the coals on your prayer altar to grow cold. Jesus recommended that himself in Luke 18:1-8 Always remind yourself that Jesus already won the battle. Regardless of your troubles, He won! Finally, believe that Jesus will come through for you. Isaiah 43:31 says: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Till next time, Stay lifted. See other posts here
The Lost Virtue of Patience
Written by Jennifer Azubuike “How long will it take?” Nina asked the young lady who just took her order. “About five minutes.” She replied with a smirk. Nina got the cue that she wanted her to step aside for the next customer, so she left the queue and walked to one of the empty chairs to sit. There was already a long line of people waiting to give orders or pick up whatever they ordered. “Thank God it’s just coffee.” She sighed. Almost immediately a male voice started yelling at another man in front of him in the queue. “Dude, that’s rude! You cannot cut in line like that!” The guy being yelled at seemed completely oblivious to his angry counterpart who continued to rant and cause a scene. The angry man, probably frustrated that the offender is ignoring him, shoved the nonchalant guy. He turned around and faced him but was still not saying a word. His composure was as serene as a calm river on a Spring morning only looking surprised. Suddenly, Nina understood. She typically would not intervene in a fight involving strangers especially on a notorious street like Castro, but something moved her. As she rose to her feet, she heard her name. It was the waiter calling. She walked towards the counter instead to pick up her cup of coffee, but on her way out, she stopped in front of the party and turned towards the angry man whose wrath was beginning to lose steam. “Sorry sir, but I had hoped you’d notice that the man you are yelling at is deaf.” Nina’s words caused a sudden hush. She stepped out of the store without another word. Outside the cafe, she walked briskly to her car parked among other cars lining the side of the road bumper to bumper on either side. It was just as rowdy on the street as it was inside the cafe. Moving cars, motorbikes and bicycles struggled for the space left on the road while a flood of pedestrians avoided bumping into each other as they streamed up and down the walkway and in and out of stores. Just as she got closer to her car a driver honked repeatedly. At first, Nina thought she was in the way of a car but when she looked up, the blasting horn was directed at another driver parallel parking into a spot. Almost immediately, this honking driver wound down his window and started raining curses and making foul gestures. Nina shook her head and got in her car. Anyone who has tried parking on a congested city street should know that parallel parking takes a few turns and a few minutes, so why the aggression? But just then her phone rang. “You were supposed to change the engine oil, not the car engine. What’s taking you so long?” Her dad bellowed on the other end of the call. “Sorry Pa, the shop was low on technicians today, so the wait time was longer.” “Well, hurry up and get here. I don’t want to be late.” “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” Nina replied before he hung up. She sighed. Fifteen minutes later, she drove up in front of their house. Her dad was already standing at the door with his briefcase. He started walking towards her the moment she pulled up, but mom came running behind him. “Dan, wait, you left these papers on the table, and they look important.” She passed some papers to dad. “Yea, I don’t need them. I left them on purpose.” He handed them back. “Are you sure you have everything you need?” “I do.” He replied impatiently and started again towards the car, but his wife stopped him. “You should go over those papers again to make sure you have everything. You know how important this deal is.” “Give it a rest. You think I don’t know? I have been working on this proposal for weeks and poured over it last night. I have everything I need.” He yelled at his wife and left her looking dejected while he matched towards the car. Nina observed the interaction between her parents and shook her head again. Her dad got in the car, and she drove him to the office where he was to present his business proposal to some high-profile business moguls. The meeting will make a difference in whether dad’s business expands or closes down. After several applications, it was a miracle that dad was enlisted to vie for a contract. Nina was waiting in the office lobby when a text from her dad popped in. “Hey, I will be out in five minutes.” She got into the car and started the engine as soon she saw her dad approaching. “Well?” Nina gazed at him expectantly when he entered. “I think I lost it.” “Meaning?” “They loved my presentation and my business plan seemed to have impressed them, but I didn’t have my resume when they asked for it.” “Oh no! Is it at home? Can I go get it?” “It is no use. There are too many competitions. They have moved on to someone else.” “But mom said…” “I know what your mom said, and I regret not listening.” He said and buried his head in his hands. “I am a businessman. What do they need my resume for anyway?” “Will you be okay?” Nina was worried, but he did not reply to her. “Dad. I don’t think it is you, it must be something in the air.” “What does that mean?” He looked up at his daughter puzzled. “Everywhere I turn people seem intolerant of someone or something. As if something is making everyone on edge.” “Have I been on edge?” “A little, but it is not your fault.” Her father sighed. “Nini, I get it. You don’t have to be polite.” “But it is not your fault…” “Honey, if everyone else is on edge, I ought to know better. Besides, I have
The Secret Place
Written by Jennifer Azubuike — A quick glance again at his wristwatch and Philip realized the time was already 7:45 PM. He has been waiting for over an hour. He had been rehearsing how to present his problems in one breath that he lost track of time. “Where could Dad be? He has never been late to our meetings.” A cool chill ran down his spine making him shrug an ominous shiver. “Could he be angry that I canceled our last meeting? Or was it two? Wait, it was two, three, four…I can’t keep track! Oh no! How did I let that happen? Well,” He shrugged. “Shouldn’t he have understood I would not cancel without a good reason? I have been so busy at work that I ended most days exhausted.” He glanced around the park. His father was still nowhere in sight, and it was getting darker and colder. Philip pulled his sweater together to keep out the cold, but the cool air persistently penetrated the sweater to grip his heart with such expounded loneliness that he felt like calling out for his father. Suddenly, in what seemed like a vision in a quick flash, He saw his father standing right there waiting for him to show up to no avail, not once or twice but so many times. Philip started to feel the weight of his selfishness. He had been ignorant on how his behavior must have affected his father. He doesn’t even remember notifying him of his meeting cancellations. “How did I get this callous? Only several years ago, I started meeting with dad because I was neck deep in trouble and needed help.” Philip soliloquized. “He did not shy away from me. He met with me regularly until my troubles were resolved. We built a wonderful relationship as a result. Our meetings might have mutually benefited us but me a greater deal. Yes, our fellowship provided him companionship but through them, I learned insights into business strategies that won me major contracts; I learned how to manage relationships and hitched my beautiful wife and so much more. So, why did I get careless?” * * * * * * Dear child of God, the 91st chapter of Psalms says that “Whoever dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Do you know that every child of God ought to have a secret place? Which is a place where you meet to fellowship with God regularly? Our God values relationships, particularly, relationships with you and I, His children. His children are those who believe and call on Him. A secret place with God is not something dark or sinister, far from it! Think of your closest friendship. Did you build that bond by just giving instructions and being a boss? Or do you make time to do something of mutual interest together or at least talk and listen to your friend? I think you do the latter and call it friendship! With God, it is called fellowship and your meeting time or place is called a secret place. It is ‘secret’ because it is just you and God. Besides, the benefits of such fellowship to any person are a long list. Believe it or not, you can draw strength, know secrets, ask questions, report enemies, find rest etc. from fellowshipping with the all-knowing God. Do you know what else is true? The devil knows how beneficial this communion with God can be to you, so he will try to prevent it. Preventing it could be physical by keeping a person ignorant, busy, distracted, careless etc. or spiritual through sin and disobedience. Jehovah, the Almighty, is holy and by nature cannot condone sin. Sin therefore can set up a barrier that can keep one away from their secret place just like it did to Adam and Eve, the first couple. However, anyone who confesses their sins to Jesus and stops the sinful behavior will be restored. To go another day without a secret place is like denying yourself of the benefits attached to your citizenship. Don’t be like Philip! Thank you for reading! Have you read my short stories yet? Click here to read.
