Oprah didn't believe Chris had walked out on her for the first time in their 3 months old relationship, but what had she expected really? She didn't know what she expected from him but his reaction had shocked her.
When she listened to the male student preacher a few minutes ago, it had all seemed really easy. But standing alone in the centre of the room with Chris off to only God knows where, was not quite the turn of events she had expected.
For the past few weeks, she had been wondering if having sex with Chris was right. Chris didn't seem to see it as a big deal but she would have been happier if they didn't have to indulge in the act altogether. But then again, Chris was not just any random guy, he was her boyfriend and had promised to marry her. Her friends often shared stories of how guys in relationships often ended up cheating if their girlfriend refused to cooperate and she was scared. She didn't want Chris to cheat on her, she would die if he did. So she had given in and they had had sex quite a number of times.
It wasn't as if she didn't know premarital sex was a sin before she had heard the preacher. Her mother had drummed it into her and her sister's ears since forever and it ranked top ten on the minister's preaching back home but in her maiden foray into the world of relationships with her relationship with Chris, all she could say was, it was easier said than done.
However, the student preacher's words had resonated within her and struck a chord in her spirit. For one, he had a certain aura around her that Oprah couldn't place, he radiated so much peace and calm that Oprah couldn't help envying him. He was not bad looking either and Oprah knew had he not become a preacher, he would be a serial heart breaker. She had first been drawn to his good looks and dapper dressing until she heard him speak. She could only describe the experience as memorable.
*****
RCF - Aluu, a few hours before...
His clear, loud voice reverberated through the half-completed auditorium. His diction was perfect and he sounded confident like he knew what he was talking about.
"My friends, listen to me. Until you discover God's purpose for creating you, you cannot experience true peace and joy in your life."
It was as if a light bulb came on in Oprah's head and suddenly it didn't matter if she had to be in Chris' room at that moment and he would send out an APB if she didn't show soon. All of her worries fell away and the only thing she could hear was the young preacher's voice.
"Beware, sin will rob you of God's purpose for your life. God is your father, he created you for a purpose. He loves you and wants the best for you, but you will never experience God's best until you say 'no' to sin and give your life to him. He loves you more than you can ever imagine. That was why he sent Jesus to die for your sins. Why don't you say 'yes' to Jesus and begin to walk in his purpose for creating you so you can discover true peace and joy."
There was silence everywhere.
"Ask yourself," he continued, "Are you truly happy? Do you have true peace and joy? Or do you have peace and joy that is here today and gone tomorrow?" He threw an open invitation. "If you want to give your life to Christ, please stand up now. If you want to become a true child of God, I want to pray with you."
People began to stand up everywhere as the choir began to sing softly.
Oprah's heart was beating fast, she wanted to stand up too. The young preacher had spoken the truth. Since God had created her for a purpose, Oprah wanted to discover that purpose.
She stood up.
*****
Oprah looked at her watch, it was almost 10pm and Chris wasn't back home. She was worried, what if something had happened to him? What if he had been mobbed by the infamous Aluu boys?
Oh God! Oh God! then it would all be her fault, if only she had not been so stubborn and firm in her newly found spiritual conviction. If only she had given it time, given him time to begin to come to terms with it. It had seemed so sudden and cruel. She really should have waited.
(To be contd)
No comments:
Post a Comment