When GOD called me in 1995, He assigned to me ISAIAH 50:4&5, and BLESSED me with the Gift of AWIS! That unique Gift has not failed me once since those days of humble beginnings. My very first AWIS was a short piece that I put on the wall, just above my bed, in Room C3, Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, University of Ibadan. It said, “THERE’S HOPE FOR YOU YET!” Those five words proved to be very inspiring and encouraging to my roommates, and probably many others who came into our room that year.
There are many testimonies to share concerning GOD’S Gift of AWIS in, and through, the Ministry of Just Jesus Foundation; that’s the umbrella body for my speaking/teaching, training and writing ministry. I love what BABA has called me to do, and do it most passionately.
One very recent testimony came last Saturday. I was invited to speak at the Youth Convention of a Church I’d never been to. For a meeting that was billed to start at 10am, we didn’t start until 37 minutes after. Coupled with that tardiness, the fellow who led the opening prayer used the ‘f’ word, saying, “When I f- -k up.” Ah! That was too much for me to stomach.
When they handed me the microphone for my 40 minutes sermon on, ‘HIS MAJESTY’, I descended on them as ants would sugar; and I hit them hard, as hammer would a nail. I rebuked their lack of respect for TIME, and corrected the unholy ‘speech’ of the prayer leader. We had an insightful session on HIS MAJESTY’S Nature and Character. I have two young sons, and I know that you can’t afford to be ‘soft’ with these Gen Z and Gen Alpha folks, or whatever they call themselves.
Later that night, my wife ex-rayed the meeting, and told me that I was too HARD on the congregation, considering the fact that we were first time invitees there. I giggled, and then showed her the message I had received from the organizers of the program, only hours after the meeting. It said:
“POWERFUL! POWERFUL!! POWERFUL!!! Everyone was testifying that it was for the message you brought that God organized the meeting. Every attendee, including the adults, was blessed…..Personally, I noted your words, as they came with unusual auction/energy; quite penetrating, precise and pinching. WOW! Right now, I’m craving for your books. Your analysis and cutting of the Word is so clear, deep and insightful…..THOROUGH! That’s the language. May your grace never wither in Jesus Name.”
There, I rested the matter with my madam.
I’ve written it quite often that when GOD called me in 1995, He didn’t say, ‘Dele, be nice, be polite, be popular, or be politically correct!’ O NO! He called me to SAY IT AS IT IS, whether it hurts you, me or whoever. The TRUTH would most likely hurt before it HEALS! We’ve got to be willing to bear the pain to enjoy the PLEASURE and PROSPERITY. We ALL have issues to deal with; let’s deal with them TRUTHFULLY and COURAGEOUSLY! All shall be well, in JESUS MIGHTY NAME.
Amen!
DA