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Turning to Iwa I asked, “Did you ever attend this particular church? I
asked.
Iwa: Yes. I went there for about 15 years. I only stopped four years ago
when I got saved. Why do you ask?
“I was taught that song by a member of the church.” I replied.
Iwa: You mean a member of the cult. That’s not a true church my dear.
Ire: At least you were sure you were in a cult and left. I was in a nominal
church. There’s nothing as bad as calling man’s wisdom, God. Yet, I can’t seem
to get out. Whenever I go to these gospel churches, I feel out of place. They
are so quick to judge and so inpatient.
Iwa: There are many churches that are solid. You’re attending wrong places.
“I know what you mean, but don’t let your feelings rule you.” I responded.
“I understand that you may feel out of place while fellowshipping with some Christians
but it’s better to tough it out in the right place than wine and dine with the
deceived.
Ire: I go to fellowships. I am still an active member of my college
fellowship alumni.
Iwa: That’s not the same as belonging to a church and having a properly
ordained pastor as your shepherd.
Ire: Who said?
“The word of God said.” I responded. “Fellowships are good but they cannot
take the place of churches. What we’re having now is fellowship. This or
something similar should not and must not take place of a church. I recommend
that you trust God to lead you to a church that is alive where you’ll feel at
home. A living church has a properly ordained pastor. One that is called,
trained and ordained. Your write-up contained Ephesians 4:11, read the verses
that follow it. Especially verses 12 and 13. Then there’s Hebrews 10:25.
Pastors head churches, not elected or appointed fellowship members. Pastors are
called, trained and ordained.
Iwa: And licensed. Not these charlatans that print flyers and hold services.
“My dear, even some of the licensed ones are crooks.” I stated. “Many are
not called by God, or maybe I should say, many called themselves.”
Ire: You’re being too nice. Many are called by the Devil. They are ministers
of deception not the truth. Imagine one telling me God does not want a woman to
preach.
Iwa: Or worse, God wants a woman to be abused by a man. Alaba almost lost
her life because her church treated divorce like a disease. I feel you girl.
Everybody’s a minister today. Everybody is the anointed minister of the hour.
It’s all man worship. Actually, it’s mammon worship. Money and fame rules.
“Selfishness which Apostle John called the pride of life is the reason the
church and the world look alike.” I commented. “Why would someone be bold to
take on the honor that belongs to God and those He has appointed if not for
selfishness?
Ire: My definition of selfishness is doing what you want at the expense of
what God does not want.
Iwa: Good definition. God destroyed
Sodom and
Gomorrah
because of selfishness. It’s only a matter of time, these rebellious churches
will be destroyed.
“I think the selfishness itself is what will destroy them.” I stated, “Not
God.”
Ire: So selfishness inspires the sin and selfishness confers the
condemnation.
Iwa: So tell me Ire, where do you pay your tithe?
Ire: Anywhere I see fit.
Iwa: You need help really fast.
Ire: Who said?
Iwa: The word of God and common sense said. Tithes belong in a church where
you are a member. You blossom where you’re planted. This is wilderness
Christianity. That’s what you’re practicing.
Ire: At least I’m not paying tithes to the dead like you. Imagine joining a
church where you can’t dress comfortably to church. You look different every
time you go to church. Isn’t that hypocrisy?
Iwa: That doesn’t make us dead. It’s just a dress code.
Ire: It doesn’t make you alive either. Your dress code is not endorsed by
Jesus Christ.
Iwa: Who said?
Ire: The word of God said. Read I Corinthians 11. Derbrah, why are you
silent?
“Iwa, your church does not have an evangelical group.” I commented. “Neither
does it sponsor missionaries. I consider that a dead church as well. Please
don’t pay tithes to the dead. It’s mismanagement of the funds of which God has
made you a steward. Ire, you know you can make good friends in your home
church. You’ve played around long enough. You must find a church home soon.”
Iwa pulled her hair while Ire scribbled on her paper. I excused myself and
went to the restroom. As I stepped in, I saw this lady that looked like Oye. I
was so excited, I gasped, “Oye” The lady turned around and responded. “I’m not
Oye, but you’re Derbrah.”
“I’m sorry.” I stated. “You look just like a high school friend of mine.”
“That’s fine.” She replied. “I seem to have a global face. Many people think
I look like someone they know. Auntie Ọla told me I needed to talk with you.”
“O really. Who’s auntie Ọla?”
“Mama Jadesọla. The owner of the restaurant.”
“Oh mama Jade.” I responded. “Could you give me a few minutes while I use
the restroom?”
“Sure.” She responded.
As I dried my hands she stated.
“I want to divorce my husband. We’ve only been married two months but he’s
been diagnosed with a terminal illness and I am angry with him because he
should have told me about the possibility of the issue while we were courting.
Now I’m going to be a widow. That’s the only thing I dread in life. Auntie Ọla
says I’m making a hasty judgment. What do you think?”
“How many more years does your husband have to live?” I asked.
“Six months to a year.”
“Well that’s about the same time it takes to have a divorce. It may not even
make a difference.”
“I’m not Californian. In my state, you can get a divorce in ten days!”
“Ten days? That’s where I should have lived.” I replied. “
California
took a while. Anyway, this is not about me. What peace, joy or satisfaction
would the divorce bring?”
“I don’t know. But I prefer that to the torture of going through life as a
widow.” She responded. “Auntie Ọla is a perfectionist. She thinks I should
forgive and forget and live in denial as if I were sowing a seed of mercy into
his life. Sounds nice, but the fact is he lied on his courtship application.
That’s proof that he has little integrity and he does not love me sincerely as
he claims, nor does he love himself.”
“What reason did he give?”
“He said he had prayed about it and he believed God had healed him.”
“Hmm. Sounds like he was trying to achieve healing with insufficient faith.
He may not be lying outright but may just be presumptuous.” I said. “Tell you
what. Ask mama Jade to give you this book and cds on faith, foolishness and
presumption. She has them in her library. That would assist you in thinking
more clearly.”
“If you were in my shoes, what would you do?”
“Why does my opinion matter?”
“Auntie Ọla kept saying she regrets having six divorces. She made those
decisions because she did not know God. You’re the only one she knows that had
a godly divorce. So your opinion matters greatly.
“Mama Jade is really one of my biggest fans.” I smiled. “Honestly, if it
were me, I would pray for a healing miracle. I wouldn’t let the Devil steal the
person I love through an untimely death.”
“If he had been upfront about it. I would have done that too. It’s the lies
that crippled me.” Tears rimmed her eyes.
I reached out and gave her a hug. Then I prayed silently. “Heavenly
Father, you know how deep a wound the emotional pain in my sister’s heart is.
You cared for her so much that You sent our Lord Jesus to pay the price for her
healing 2,000 years ago. According to your word, she is the healed in Christ. I
ask that the power of the blood of the new covenant and the energy of your
Spirit heal her soul and restore her joy in Jesus name.”
“Amen.” She answered, wiping her eyes. “Thank you. I’m glad auntie Ọla
referred you. I’m going back home next week. I have to return to work. I’m not
as distraught as I was anymore. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” I responded. “We give our King all the glory for His
never ending mercies.” As I turned to leave I realized I did not have her name
so I asked.
“I’m Laja.” She responded. “Ifẹlaja.”
“Nice to meet you Laja.” I replied. “Ask mama Jade for my contact details.
If you need to call me or send me an email, feel free.”
Laja: Thanks Derbrah.
As I turned to return to my table I remembered. You live in this state
right?
Laja confirmed by nodding her head.
“My spiritual father is in that state.” I continued. “Take your husband to him.
God has used him in over thirty years of ministry. He has been used to heal the
sick, raise the dead and even survive bullets. There’s nothing God can’t do.”
Laja: How come I’ve never heard of him.
“I don’t know.” I responded. “But you’re hearing of him now. He lives in
another city. However, it is the same state. “
Laja: Okay, I’ll plan to see him with Kunle. Thank you.
When I returned to my table I met three ladies. Ire and Iwa had moved
to a bigger table. Ire introduced the ladies to me.
Iwa: Derbrah, this is Funsọ, Bolu and Dēbhōrah. They are evangelists. I
watched their play two weeks ago. It was very edifying. I invited them to join
us while you were away. Exs, this is Derbrah. She’s our minister friend who was
in the bathroom.
The Exs and I exchanged greetings and I sat down.
“I’m a little curious.” I started. “Why are you called the Exs?”
Funsọ: We are ex-victims
Bolu: We met at school during a psychology class and we realized that we
were ex-rape victims.
Dēbhōrah: We also discovered that we were Christians so we decided to join
together and let God use our past to minister to others.
“Beautiful.” I responded, with a sparkle in my eyes. “I commend you all for
your godly decision. I’d like to watch your play sometime.”
Dēbhōrah: We’re ministering at God’s Kind of Faith Church next
Saturday.
Bolu: The show starts at 6.30pm
Funsọ reached into her purse and gave us a ticket each. We received the
tickets and promised to plan to attend.
Ire: So who were your oppressors?
Iwa: Funsọ was raped by her half brother, Dēbhōrah was raped by her uncle
and Bolu was raped by her father.
Bolu: You have a good memory. That’s right.
Continued in part 3
Derbrah writes courtesy of Agape for All Ministries. Author retains copyright.
Jadesọla’s restaurant is a drama ministry of the Yoruba Christian Women
(YCW), an international faith-based non-governmental, not-for-profit
organization. Similarity of names and stories are coincidental. Feel free to
copy for non-commercial use. Commercial use requires permission. For more
information on YCW write Jesutoyin Ajikẹ-King (toyinking@yahoo.com).
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Posted by Robot| 01.10.2007 05:49