By Pastor Onyema Duruigbo
Jeremiah 20:14 reads, “Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me!”
These words of Jeremiah evoke tears. When a man sets out to abide by his convictions and to carry out his life mandate, misunderstanding may trail his footsteps.
For those living on the borderline, who are not totally sold out, a time of ostracism comes. You are left alone to stew in your decision.
The pain of Jeremiah here is understandable. The chief antagonist is the priest who should have offered him succor as a member of the household of faith. Rather than that Passur imprisoned, tortured and shamed him. Jeremiah found himself hanging in the air, rejected by the priest, forsaken by his people and forbidden to prophesy.
He cannot blame God for a destiny he was born with or man for preferring the lies and illusion of peace offered by the false prophets and priests.
Prosperity sometimes blocks the sight and seals the ears of those sold out to self convictions. The church like they say is an army that kills her weak. We have become hyenas that prey on the downtrodden. It is heart wrenching but hope springs from the horizon of the few who are determined.
Life calls us to be alone quite often. The route of destiny and of course eternity is singly paved. For some it is with thorns but for others it is strewn with rough diamonds. Whatever life throws at us, we must learn to turn it around and make good of it. The beautiful sun rays tear layers
of dark clouds , and the lush green meadows we admire bore through clods of dirt . The unsoiled hand never tastes the joy of reaping bounties.
Whatever rough terrains we tread, and whatever shame we have born in the quest for our destiny, be not dismayed. Even Jeremiah assured us that with God on our side, your enemies will ultimately bite the dust.
Jeremiah 20:11
But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail.
They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper.
Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.
- Pastor Onyema Duruigbo, is the General Overseer of The Gospel House, Okota, Lagos.