The Word!

Ayo kept tossing and turning in her bed. The entire week had been extremely unproductive. She was sick of waking up every day. She required specific instructions on what she should do and how she should do it. School was the normal routine, and she disliked living a normal life. Her friendships and roommates began to deteriorate. The ardor and splendor she encountered in God's presence seemed to fade. And then there was silence! She was deafeningly quiet. Because the silence was deafening, she would have benefited from being deaf.

Could crying be the answer? She had cried several times and complained to those she knew cared the most about her. No one had any answers for her. She couldn't even mumble God's name. Her heart was speechless, and her spirit was exhausted. Could the Church assist? She grew tired of going to church. It had become a routine, and it was possibly the most exhausting for her.

Can't you see your name is Joy, Ayo? Bring it forth. Enjoy it! The Holy Spirit continued to whisper. 

Nothing was heard by Ayo. In her spare time, she read her Bible to pass the time. She read Ecclesiastes and thought there was nothing more boring. It had to be either the Revelation of John or Ecclesiastes. The competition was fierce. But she'd already crowned Ecclesiastes "King, the world's most boring book, BC and AC" that day. 

"Eccl.3.1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: (NIV)

Eccl.3.4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, (NIV)"

"Oh, please!" She screamed. Please tell me who wrote this. Her thoughts were full. However, something kept her reading. She cringed at every word she read as she read. She continued reading until she reached Chapter 8. Then she came across a Scripture that piqued her interest. 

"Eccl.8.4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? (KJV)"

The eyes of her understanding were opened. She delved into the text. It said a lot to her. Power is vested in the words of a king. She could trust God and work with his word as if she were walking alongside God himself. She was aware that she could hear God. She was confident in his word. What was preventing her from reading her Bible and trusting God to open her eyes to great and wondrous things in his word? Wonderful things that could direct her life and lead her to work in God's purpose and will.

She knew she didn't need anyone to tell her to read or study her Bible. She knew she couldn't even rely on anyone to give her God's advice or teach her. She could seek advice and sit under sound biblical instruction. But what could be more beautiful than hearing God speak? Every day as she read the Scriptures, she prayed for the eyes of her understanding to be enlightened. 

Every day, Ayo sought the Lord's counsel, and she heard the Holy Spirit recall everything she had read from day to day. She led a meaningful life. Every step was important, and every decision was weighty. And Ayo started walking with God. There was a significant shift. A shift that had an impact on everything and everyone around her. She recognized the power of God's word. She now ran every instruction and piece of advice she received through God's word. It was only authentic if the King approved. The king's word is final.

"Isa.55.11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (KJV)"

Dear Christian soldier, the king is coming. Read to be ready!

And I pray that as you read, 

"Eph.1.18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (KJV)"

Amen!