After having my visa delayed for almost a year, I was frustrated and not sure of the direction to take. I continued to serve God directly under a dear pastor who encouraged me to take my ‘calling’ more seriously.
A week after he asked me to conduct a wedding ceremony, he decided to send me to the Ibadan Headquarter of the ministry to represent him at the annual conference. The groom had come down from London to wed his bride and that really gingered me not to lose hope. Groom will definitely see the post.
I put on my best blazer....a brown blazer made by Exclusive in Opebi. Gosh...in that heat...I can’t believe I used to wear suit in that heat.
Anyways, I decided to travel with my international passport. Till date, I cannot say why I did that!
Attending the conference was an opportunity to meet the presiding bishop of the ministry as my pastor specifically gave me an assignment which I had to deliver directly to him.
Part of the assignment for the presiding bishop was a recommendation that would have led to my ordination, and also, I was to pick up a seminary form at the head office.
Anyways.....what happened? Bishop Wale Oke happened! He was the guest minister on the last day of the conference.
I sat in the main auditorium but felt restricted and disturbed as some people could not just sit still to allow one jot down the sermon. So I looked around and saw that a good portion of the upper gallery was still empty and some people were gradually moving up there, so I decided to navigate my way up. I got a good spot close to the rear stairs for quick exit strategy.
I still remember the title of the message Bishop Wale Oke preached on. ‘Word of knowledge’ punctuated his sermon and people affected were screaming.
I became stirred in my heart to ask God to speak concerning my visa situation. I just wanted to hear God to know if I was taking the right decision by abandoning my overseas trip in favour of seminary and being ordained. I just wanted to do something!
My visa was denied and it was appealed by my uncle at his law firm. My appeal was upheld, but for 11 months....’not ready’ was all I heard from the embassy staff.
I asked God to say something that would confirm if it was time I went to the ministry work or I should just face my life for the time being. Every fibre in me was ready to follow whatever God approved of.
One hour into Bishop Oke’s message, none of the word of knowledge released was for me. I was getting agitated. ‘God, please, speak to me. Confirm my next step.’
Suddenly, the man asked us to stand up for prayer as he was about to round up. I was now wondering if God would rather choose others over me.
The man of God had reached the crescendo of his message, it was now the final prayer. No word for me. What a way for God to be silent regarding my matter.
The moment I surrendered in my heart to go ahead with the purpose of my trip to Ibadan I heard.....
THERE IS SOMEBODY IN THE UPPER GALLERY. YOU HAVE ON THE INSIDE LEFT BREAST POCKET OF YOUR SUIT YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT. THE LORD SAID THE SEIGE ON YOUR UK VISA HAS BEEN LIFTED, AND YOU SHOULD GO THERE NEXT WEEK TO GET YOUR VISA.
That hit me like nothing ever imagined. I looked round where I was and I remembered I was wearing a suit!
My hands went all over my pockets.....wait....yes...my green passport....I took it when I was leaving home. I had no idea why! Wait.....IT WAS IN THE INSIDE LEFT BREAST POCKET OF MY SUIT....and the man closed off as he walked away from the pulpit.
I was stunned. That was the last word of knowledge declared!
I was too far back in the upper gallery to be seen in suit by someone way down at the front. How did he know which pocket had my passport in it?
That was too specific and spot on.
Anyways, that was the end of my Ibadan trip. I was too dazed to scream like others before me. No need to see the presiding bishop again! No need for seminary form. How do I tell my pastor? I only prayed he would understand.
I headed back home. That night, my uncle called from London to inform me that he has been notified that my visa was ready for collection the following week!
That weekend was the longest ever in my life. I did not return to walk our street since the week I rocketed myself out.
Why this long gist?
This is just to confirm to you that when God speaks, He is never vague. He is direct and He still speaks. His word to us through the scriptures is final. Nonetheless, He makes interruptions to direct us at any given time He so wishes.
Did God really see I was ready in my heart to abandon my foreign trip to go to seminary/ministry that he quickly released that word of knowledge?
Truth is, I was ready to go all the way with whichever came first between seminary and visa. And in order to start doing something with my life, I gravitated towards seminary.
The last-minute interruption by ‘God’ saved me from making a rash decision that could have seen me jump into WHAT I WAS NOT READY FOR.
I was definitely not ready at the time...but He wanted to prepare me in a different way and in his own time! Had I gone ahead then, the Amos today could have been vastly different.
There is always a difference between being mature and being ready. I was not ready!
So when you pray for direction....and God seems silent...praise him.
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