My Altar by Ilesagba Bamidele

 
My Altar by Ilesagba Bamidele

SCENE ONE

(After a devastating and disencouraging drama rehearsal)

John: No one is to blame. We all had flaws, no one is perfect.
Bisi: Sir, I suggest you change Joy's character. She's not making it real. We can't feel the emotions in her cast.
Joy: I complained earlier on, that I can't act that part but you guys insisted I give it a try.
David: I think Bisi should swap character with Joy.
Bisi: No o! I'm in love with my mother in-law character already.
John: it's okay! We won't change any character. The presentation is next month, so we have enough time ahead. Everyone should just try to bring out the best of each character. So can we try it once more?
Bisi: Sir i will suggest we call it a day. We've spent over 4hrs in a suppose 2hrs rehearsal.
David: Yes sir, since today is the first rehearsal, we might get better in the next one.
John: it's alright, I can see that you all are tired. We will draw the curtain here. But Maje sure you all study and perfect your lines before next rehearsal. Remember practice makes perfect!
(Notice Richard had been busy with his phone)
Bro. Richard you've been silent, give us the closing prayer. Sis. Joy wait to see me after the benediction.
Richard: (drops his phone) shall we pray, in Jesus name
Response: Amen
Richard: (continues) Father thank you for today's rehearsal, thank you for everything. Anywhere we've sinned against you in our rehearsal forgive us in Jesus name.
Response: Amen
Richard: (continues) give us the spirit of perfection, Lord help us to do better next rehearsal so that your name will be praised. For in Jesus name we've prayed.
Response: Amen
John: The Grace in Fellowship
All: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever more. Amen!
John: You are blessed! Sis. Joy meet me at my car!
(Everyone dismisses through different direction while Sis. Joy heads towards Bro. John's car)
Joy: (at Mr. John's arrival) Good evening Sir
John: Yes Joy! It's now been confirmed that you're practically avoiding me!
Joy: (confused) How do you mean?
John: hoop in let's discuss in the car.
(Both entered the car, John continues) when last did you visit me?
Joy: last week Sir
John: Come on Joy, since last week! This week is gone already again, today is Friday
Joy: I think we should avoid been seen together too often, to avoid suspicions
John: See Joy forget what people might say, let's focus on us. I love you so much.
Joy: That reminds me sir, there's this rumor in the youth Fellowship that you are dating Sis. Bisi, Some say Sis. Busayo. Hope none is true?
John: you just call it rumour and that is what it is. Rumor! You know some people love to use lies to inquire the truth.
Joy: it's true
John: it's only you I love
John: I love you too....... (talks slowly) so..... tomorrow.....is.... Saturday...(talks more slowly)....i.......... promise....to .....come.....to.... your.... house in ..... the morning.
John: (Excited) Wow! I can't wait
Joy: I want to come for my emotions rehearsal
John: (laughs) you are such a bad girl! I will be expecting you
(Joy hoops out of the car and waves as bro.John zoomed off)


SCENE TWO

(It was the first Sunday service of the month as Pastor Jude mount the pulpit to minister to his congregation of average youth church member)

Pastor: Praise the Lord!
Congregation: Hallelujah!
Pastor Jude: Turn to your neighborhor and tell him or her that 'happy new month welcome to church'
Congregation: (stirred up by the pastor's instruction echoed to each other putting on a smile) Happy new month welcome to church
Pastor Jude: Shall we pray!
Congregation:(restore orderliness)
Pastor Jude: Father we want to hear from your throne, speak to us that we may know you more in Jesus mighty name
Congregation: Amen
Pastor Jude: Let's pickup our Bibles and open to the book of Leviticus 6:12. A fast reader should please read for us
 
John: (stands up from the choir's seat) Leviticus 6:12: "The fire in the alter must be kept burning and never allowed to go out. Every morning the priest shall put firewood on it, arrange the burnt offering on it and burn the fat of the fellowship offering".
 
Pastor Jude: May the Lord bless His words in our hearts in Jesus name.
 
Congregation: Amen
 
Pastor Jude: I will tittle this message BURNING ALTAR!
As humans we all have different specifications of doing things; color choice, favorite this and that. We tend to set rules to guide others against trespassing our comfort.
Same applies with God, He has called us for a fellowship but with specifications, rules to adhere to. Yes God called us into a fellowship and the place where this takes place is called AN ALTAR.
In Exodus 37:25-28 were God's desire and requirements for His alter. Someone might be wondering 'but that in the old testament, old covenant. Now it is been said in the new testament that 'our heart is the temple of God' that is where God dwells. But does that mean that God lost His taste or standard for an alter? NO!
Romans 12 puts it clear on living a life that portraits God's standard.
  • Do I have an altar? (personal Fellowship/Communion with God).
  • What kind of fire do I burn on my altar? (Beware of strange fires Leviticus 10:1-2.
  • How consistent is the fire burning on my alter? (Leviticus 6:12)
Tips to create a burning altar:
  • You must be born again (accept Jesus to come into your life) Revelation 3:20
  • Do not neglect the fellowship of believers for iron sharpens iron same way alters rise alters.
  • Living a consistent prayer life.
  • Listening, reading and obeying God's word through the Bible and other spirit inspired materials like Christian magazines, novels, articles movies and the likes.
Conclusion
I don't know if you are here and you don't have an alter or you once had but those altar no longer exists, hmmm....my brother....oh my Sister yes you have an alter but what kind of fire are you burning on it? Why not take the first step of opening your heart, let the saviour come in to have communion, a fellowship with you. (Four ladies stepped towards the alter, Sis. Joy and Sis Bisi inclusive)
He's coming to settle in your heart. (Sings I surrender all....all to thee my blessed saviour, i surrender all. Then prays).

Congregation: Amen

SCENE THREE

(It was the evening after the Sunday service I man walked into John's room. His appearance was as bright as the sun, light covered his face)

Man: John why didn't you come out during today's alter call?
 
John: (sits up from the couch) Why should I and who are you?
 
Man: Do you have a burning altar?
 
John: (in confidence) Yes I do, why should I go out for the alter call? I go to church, I pay my tithes; in fact I'm the choir director of my church. I pray in tongues! I... I ...
 
Man:(cuts in) John! Open your Bible to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
 
John: (grabs his Bible from his bag ) 1Co 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing
1Co 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain not.
(John faces the man trying to justify himself) Yes but how does these things applies to me? I give to the needy, widows, I pay visit to the orphanage monthly......
 
Man: (cuts in) Yet not in love! Vs 3 proved that!. Truly you are a giver but your motive are always to get applauded, yes you are a song and drama minister but haven't you fornicated with most of the sisters in your unit?
You claim to speak in tongues; vs 1 deals with that. Speaking in tongues is not a guarantee for Heaven, it's not salvation. Dont you slander, say ungodly jokes, sings ungodly songs, insult with the same mouth? (John turning soft)
Bragging about tithes; you have been offering strange fire!
The later part of 1corinthians 13, put it clear what love is. God is love and love is God which your alter has not acknowledge. Remember Matthew 22:34-40, what does it says? Love is the greatest commandment!
 
John:(sobbing in tears) I've missed it..... what should I do?
 
Man: Turn back to your first love John! Rebuild, dedicate and concencrate your alter. Let purity, holiness and love burn on your alter. Peace be with you!
 
John: Father I'm sorry! Have mercy saviour!
 
(John wakes up with sweat covered his entire body, then he realized it was a dream. continues in tears)
Jesus! Save me! My alter is defiled with strange fire! Ah Father have mercy on me! (Cries)
Sings: Holy fire burn upon my alter, from within me spirit you take over, holy fire burn upon my alter!
My alter is calling you oh God, My alter is calling you....

The END.




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  1. God bless you for this and give you more inspiration.

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  2. Ibukun Elizabeth23 March 2022 at 07:39

    Amazing Piece. More ink to your pen

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  3. A wonderful piece.
    More Grace to the writer

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