2019 was a very interesting year for me. I found myself pulled in different directions, and I desperately needed to find the balance.
I discovered that balance only exists at the centre of God’s will. In that place where the Lord wants me per season, that is where I find the wisdom to put things in proper perspective.
Like I said earlier, I was being pulled in different directions. Focusing on the Lord was becoming hard, let alone spending quality time to be with him.
Life was in a mad spin and I seemed to have found myself at the centre of it.
Until one day, I called for a VILLAGE MEETING, and I sent a Memo to all the landlords that have demanded for my attention at the expense of the things that really mattered.
They all came in their colorful regalia and well prepared arguments, ready to justify their continuous nuisance in my mind.
The meeting started: “Ladies and Gentlemen, distractions, legalities and seemingly important demands of life, the worries for tomorrow and anxiety for the future, I greet you all.
The purpose of today’s village meeting is to put you all in your place. You can no longer sit on the throne of my heart, dominating my thoughts and informing my decisions. Only one king owns that throne and that King is the Lord.
Henceforth, I will be going about my daily activities conscious of the presence of Jesus, He would be my sole desire, and I will always turn to him first.
Demands ‘XYZ’, you are hereby relieved. Anxiety ‘ABC’ you really don’t matter. Fear ‘RST’ you are no longer allowed here…”
Silence for five seconds….
Then….. a deafening noise…..shouts, scream…snarl….hiss….
Mr Rationality speaks first, he is always the first speaker:
“Do you know what you are doing?! You don’t want to take your life seriously?! Do you even realize things will fall apart? if your attention is not on XYZ for a split second there will be trouble! You can go hungry without worry code ‘GHI’, do not touch these things, a lot is hanging in the balance , you are too young to mar your future, be careful!”
All around me, arguments were flying, trying to drown the embers of courage in my heart.
Amidst the noise, one thing stood out, my desire for control, to have things in a certain way and place. I decided it’s time to deal with that.
Then I said….. “YOU ARE PERMITTED“….
laughter…nod…applause…..wide grin…. thumbs up…
Mr Rationality spoke up….“I knew you would make the right choice, you are a wise girl, with enough sense in your head, you cannot do without these demands, these cares, these pursuits, they are key, or else things will fall apart…..
Responsibilities added: You see you have a lot on your shoulders. Issues and demands that ONLY YOU can handle. You really have a good heart you know? Don’t be myopic about things.
Distraction has never been known to shut up in a gathering, ‘so what’s for dinner please? Have you heard what that imported tailor said about dress making? The way dollars are spinning these days! what do we do about that now? If only Trump was a yoruba man, ehn?! It is well.
Please what was I saying before Rationality distracted me earlier?
I shook my head and smiled.
Me: You are all permitted.
All of Them: Yes we know that now. We are here to stay and we are here for you. We would help you divide your attention accordingly, Pari-Passu!
Apparently, they didn’t understand the permission I just gave them. So I repeated myself…
“YOU ARE ALL PERMITTED TO FALL APART.”
What?!!!
‘Yes, you heard me. You can fall apart. You are permitted to go wrong if my attention is needed every second to sustain you all. Let the mountains be removed and thrown into the sea, I won’t shift. God is in the midst of my heart. He holds me strong. But I’m done playing this hide and seek’. I’m done with this rat race of the mind.
Then be ready to face the consequence!
Be ready to see all your pursuits come to nothing!
There is nobody who has ever tried this, that came out successful !
You are out of your mind!
On and on, they took turns leaving their final words, walking out of the meeting in anger.
Mr Rationality was the last to leave the meeting hall. He looked at me with ‘compassion’ and he said ‘ I can walk you through this season, now that they are all gone, how would like me to help you plan your life now?’
I laaauugghhheed. Deep laughter welled up from within me, I looked at this mass of brilliant and composed complication, who will always stand between me and the next leap of faith. No, he doesn’t fight with fangs and swords, but carefully selected and calculated words.
I stopped laughing, and I smiled at him. ‘No Rationality, I can take it up from here’. He smiled at me and said ‘You have a friend in me, I will always be here to help’.
He stepped out and refused to shut the door, probably expecting me to run after him that I’m having second thoughts. Not today.
I shut the door firmly behind him, and picked my bible. I didn’t push them out to leave my mind vacant, the instruction is to let the words of Christ dwell in me richly in all wisdom.
Then…..
I sensed Him, that beautiful radiance and soothing calm that comes with PAPA’s presence.
“It’s time for a walk daughter, it’s time to go by the still waters.“
I raised my hands, and he swept me off my feet, carried me on his shoulders, off to the place of rest and refreshing IN HIM.
The End…..
P.S It’s been 5 months since that meeting held. I have received memos and threats from my former tenants if I don’t reinstate them back, but that’s all they really are; threats.
I have not been slothful in my duties. I have handled them all in wisdom and faithfulness, as I am helped per time. But there is only one King on the throne of my Heart, there is only one presence before whom I do all things.
Caesar can have what belongs to him, but there is ONLY ONE REIGNING KING.
Have you been blessed by this? I would love to hear from you.
Your Friend,
Omo Oba.