In Life's Wilderness
What to Do When The Lord Calls and Begins To Deal With Your Case A Certain Way!
Some years ago, I was given the rare opportunity to speak at the National Ministers Conference of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. Mine were two unusual topics with probably no vast spiritual talking points known to typical Church cloud and clergy: “Communication & Church Management” and “Church Finance (Investment & Legal options)”. I brand them unusual because these are the kinds of lectures usually only circumscribed to some casual reference in our Church committee meetings and not in major ecclesiastical and theological settings. Sometimes, under certain pressures over finance and accountability matters, a Board deliberation may delve into something of closest mention. And, that’s just about it. But here we are!
Generally, no preacher or weary Missionary would travel across the globe with the proposition to preach or teach “Communication & Church Management” or “Church Finance” as a Church-planting, Church-Revival model. At least, not in this age of self-centered, money-wanton Christian evolution. Not even amongst the well-read, well-established Bishops and Pastors of the mega churches, to say the least. That would have been the dumbest attempt at Church growth and Christian revival. But No… That’s not what happened here! The response to every line and apostolic insight became so thunderously awe-sticking that I got to actually second guess myself at some points of human memory.
Two one-and-a-half hour sessions for each topic gave me six wholesome hours to share insights into two seemingly secular but crucial subjects, often relegated to college four-walls, though also needed at the Pulpit these days, clearly attested by the events of the present concourse.
The main charge and proposition from these discussions received such overwhelming acceptance and lit fresh fires in the hearts and bones of those dignified clergymen, demonstrating the impact of revelation knowledge, visible anointing on mortal human voice with a blend of good scholarly presentation. Like I said, these could have probably had no serious impact on the success of the Conference, in the ordinary scheme of things. But, things are known to dramatically change when Heaven’s marvels present themselves and God shows Himself in men’s affairs anywhere… anytime!
With me, a new Vision is about to be born, a new Journey here setting in. For the Lord spoke to me on two subsequent occasions shortly after my return, right on the floor of my living room, in tones so astounding and so illumining:
“These are the things I want you to be doing, and you’re here wasting my time.”
“Son, the day has come for us to take the Church to its humble highest heights in history, to meet the heights of honor and glory meant for it. You may wish to make a humble exit if you have no guttomtion to continue.”
A Christian for a little while, and have been involved in multiple gospel crusades and cross-country evangelistic outreaches. I have had amazing encounters with the Holy Ghost in events and on occasions, gratefully acquainted with the Divine voice and God’s intervention in the affairs of mortal men. Never heard the Lord speak that way to me or anyone I knew, ever before. Never read out of any book that He did.
“These are the things I want you to be doing………. wasting my time.” At least, not with that tone and choice of words. Not with words like “humble exit” and “guttomtion to continue!”. There stands my instant dilemma!!!
Apostles Peter, Paul and some of the great preachers of old…. Yes… but not ME, a bloody insignificant kid. I was pleasantly confused for want of words. No… Never… God doesn’t talk like that! That must be some stupid devil trying to frighten and intimidate me because of what happened at the Conference. Who even knows the meaning of the word “guttomtion?” That’s probably a sign this is not from the Lord! Many thoughts… Many ideas… Flooding my mind! But, the message was clear. And the culprit, ME.
Continued from In Life's Wilderness, First Published, Mar 21, 2024. Keep an Eye on the last Portion of this text, coming Next Week!!!