Doubt, Fantasy and Truth
-The Journey to The Extraordinary Issue 004–2020
“The whole world literally stopped because of a virus, mum?” “Yes, my darling. There was no school, mummy didn’t have to go to work, children played all day…” That will make a good bedtime story, don’t you think? We would be legends in their innocent believing eyes. History is literally being written and we are participatory. Wow! It will indeed be interesting to recount the COVID-19 stories to our children.
Confession, I am a little weary of saying the phrase “Stay Safe” at the end of conversations. I sound like a broken record to myself. I will nevertheless reiterate for the greater good.
It is fascinating how the mind and brain work. Some conversations, statements or words just stick without extra effort, this intrigues me. You are probably recollecting such memories, now.
I recollect a conversation with a workshop colleague. He told me he believes in Jesus however, he thinks some stories in the Bible are either exaggerated or untrue. It was indeed a paradox to me. I asked which stories he doubted, but he refused to disclose. Nevertheless, I kept his words to heart. Once in a while I reflect on it wondering which stories he doubts and also think of other people with such doubts.
His words came back to me, recently, as something spectacular happened to me. I currently use an external mouse because my laptop’s in-built mouse ceases. On this day, I battled with inconsistent power supply and a weakened laptop battery, amid a midnight deadline. I knew staying home wasn’t going to help so I packed my things and went to a facility with constant electricity.
As I settled in, I realized my external mouse’s battery was out. Phew! I did not want to go out in pursuit of a battery or ask anyone at the facility for one either. Whilst contemplating what to do, I fiddled with my in-built mouse and realized it was working. Yes! Happily, I continued using it until I submitted. However, as I submitted the document and wanted to do something else the mouse did not work. It just did not move. This was a device that didn’t cease for over eight(8) hours. I was like, WHAT! I just laughed and closed my laptop. That incident immediately took me to the story of Elisha and the Widow’s Oil in 2 Kings 4:1–7. Let me run through quickly.
The story is told of a woman who sent word to the Prophet, Elisha, informing him that her late husband’s creditors were about to take her sons as ransom for his debt. The prophet asked her what she had in her house (faith and grace need catalysts. Search within you, you will have something to offer). Tada! What did she have? Little oil. The prophet told her to borrow vessels from her neighbours. Just imagine for a second that she had a nasty attitude to her neighbours. We probably will be singing Egungun be careful na express you dey go…* for her. Folks, maintain good relations. It will open doors unto you. After, borrowing the vessels, she shut her doors (not every time uploading your progress on social media. Some capacities need to be developed in secret. The prophet wasn’t there either. Some battles have to be won alone, unless, there will be no enlargement). Finally, she began to pour the oil into the vessels. She poured until she asked for another vessel, but her son told her there was no more. At that point, the oil ceased.
Sometimes we get overwhelmed with taking in preaching, self-developments and the likes that we don’t realize we are full and need to give others out of our substance. It was at this point that she informed the prophet and he told her to sell some oil to pay the creditors and live off the rest. As long as you have the capacity, the Holy Spirit will keep filling you. That means that, we might want more but if He sees no space, He ain’t giving nothing. Wastage isn’t condoned in the Kingdom and it is not evil to make money off your skills and capabilities.
The way the oil ceased when the vessels finished is likened to how my mouse stopped working immediately I met the deadline. I shared my experience with my favourite pharmacist and she shared a similar 2 Kings 4:1–7 testimony with me. Miracles do happen. Most especially now that we can directly access God. What am I trying to say? All Bible accounts are true. I am not sure what stories in the Bible look too good/extreme to be true to you, but I need you to just BELIEVE. Unlearn to relearn. They indeed happened and you can experience them and much more, just follow the foolishness of believing. For example, with our COVID-19 experience we should be able to better relate with the twelve (12) plagues of Egypt. Don’t you think so?
To further strengthen faith, I’ll be receiving submissions with the hashtag #21stcenturyBiblestories. Let’s share our experiences similar to the ones spoken of in the Bible. At this time and every time, it is important to strengthen our faith. Submissions are open to all people. So if you have a story that fits this description, creatively and comprehensively put pen to paper and send via email to iosetemega@gmail.com. Again, your experience must be similar to something recorded in the Bible. Let us do this together. Thank you in advance.
Till next month, stay away from fear triggers, stay safe under His wings, obey safety guidelines and maximize this time at home.
P.S: Do you remember the phrase “Emergency Funds” that our finance gurus always talked about at seminars, but we thought they were agents of doom? They tried to prepare us, like Noah, but some didn’t see past the nose. Well, I hope we will listen to them attentively after COVID-19.
Shalom.
*This is a song released in the early 2000s by a Nigerian Fuji singer, Obesere, that recently became a trend. It is used when the outcome of a person’s actions will expose their folly.
