pagesbyike 6/21/16 pagesbyike 6/21/16

What To Do With All That Cray-Cray!

Sometimes God tells us a little something about our future, about his plans for us, about the tasks he needs us to accomplish. I have learnt not try to explain these things to anyone. It will make zero sense to them. If you've ever tried, you'll find yourself trying to convince these people that...you...aren't...a...little...mad.

You know how God's plans are a little shocking? Well, let me be the first to say he has shocking plans for you, just like he had for all the cool patriarchs. They all sounded and looked a little crazy because they chose to follow God's instructions. They also didn't bother to explain anything to anyone.

For example, if Noah tried to explain what God told him to his neighbors, it'll sound a little like this:

"Duh. Look at the clouds. *pointing at a clear, cloudless, blue sky*"It's going to rain cats, dogs and their mothers, baby. Hehe" *continues hammering the 450 feet boat in a desert*

*side eye*

If Jesus was going to explain what he came to do:

"I will be killed, well, not really, as in, not killed...killed like forever. Maybe for like a few days, I won't be dead for too long, tops, the weekend and then we can get around to the fish barbecue party Peter suggested the other day. Who's bringing the coal?"

*two side eyes*

If Abraham had to explain the Isaac-fiasco, it'll sound like this:

"Eliezer, look, I'm going to kill my kid. Sharpen the knife. No, not that one. The one with the brown hilt, firmer grip. Shh, Eliezer. Don't panic. It will all work out. See you later and make the goat stew I like, with some spicy herbs on the side, the ones with the tangy taste. Ciao!"

*wide eye- side eye*

If Moses had to explain:

"Things could get ugly, I know, but look, I'm walking...just me...into the world's most powerful presidential villa and I will demand the release of their slaves and then *whistles*, we are out of there! Yes, I know I stutter *rolls his eyes* Of course, I won't be arrested, you worry too much. Yes, I know they throw prisoners to the crocodiles!"

Stop trying to explain your life to people. Stop. They will NOT understand. Heck, even you don't understand God's perfect plan for your life. All you know is that his plans are good, not evil, filled with purpose and have been set even before the earth existed.

You'd notice that walking with God involves a lot of raised-brow-side-eye situations. Everyone will think you are super-cray but you are in good company *clinking glasses with Mary, Noah, Joseph, Abraham, Isaiah, J-bae*! So what to do with all that cray, keep it to yourself.

Hey, what are your thoughts? Do you get frustrated when people don't understand your word from God? Do they give you side-eyes? Or are you a keep-it-to-myself kinda person?

Please remember to share!

pagesbyike 6/2/16 pagesbyike 6/2/16

The Man who sits on My Sofa at 5.30 AM

At 5.30am, just before the sky turns honey-amber, right there, in the dark space of my living room, sits a man, on my sofa. His posture is regal but alert, like he is poised for something, like he's anticipating.

He is still for most of the time, his pupils are fully dilated, his ears attentive, his skin cool from the conditioned air, his senses accommodate all they can in this dark room.

In the still silence, he says nothing. If he was anything like me, he would cross his legs several times, or make a fuss in his seat, searching frantically for a distraction. He sees my pile of magazines, a little smile lights his face but he makes no move to pacify the discomfort of his wait.

Suddenly, he hears a rustle from my bedroom, he sits up with a start. He is hopeful. He cocks his head to the side, he holds his breath, then wills himself to breathe.

The rustling stops and the silence returns.

He remains still on my sofa. Now the sun is peeking from the base of the sky, its rays streaking flamboyantly.

It's 6.30. Vibrations take over the ambience. My phone vibrates from the closet, where I have put it. I do this to ensure I get up, walk to it and turn it off, "the walk will wake me up," I always tell people, it will. My Fitbit violently vibrates against my wrist.

He is sure I will wake up now and see in a glance, the man who sits on my sofa at 5.30. The vibrations go on for a few minutes. His head is cocked again. His breath is held. He hears a dull thump, as my feet swing off the bed and hit the floor in a groggy stance.

He hears shuffling, I'm making my way to the vibrating phone. He is sure I will come out to the living room now. The phone stops.

He hears quick steps go into the bathroom; a flush; a rushed fall of barefoot steps; a rustle of bed fabric.

Then silence.

He stares out of my window at the sun and waits.

At 6.45am, I stumble out of my room. I stop short and stare at my empty sofa.

Wait.

I'm forgetting something.

No!

I forgot something.

I was supposed to meet with Him at 5.30am!

How did I forget?

I'm sorry that I stood you up for the umpteenth time, J-bae*. I sit dejected on my sofa. I should have set 6 alarms, I should have splashed some water on my face. I should have done the jumping jacks. I should have...

With every preemptive tip, I feel myself sink heavily into the soft cushions, my shoulders droop, my eye shut into slits. We were supposed to meet and talk like we always do, but I wouldn't get out of bed...and now he's gone away.

He's gone.

I lay my head on the side of my sofa, ashamed to pray or sing.

Then I feel it...a warmth, a glow, it surrounds me. It draws me in, like arms. It's so warm, my face breaks into a smile.

He isn't gone.

He is here.

He never left. ♥️

**One day, the word bae will become completely obsolete, but till then, J-bae, for me, is none other than Jesus!