ONCE I HAD NO FOOD
Today’s testimony is not one I ever gave serious thought to, but Barry did. One day himself, my husband and I were talking over tea, in our home, when I casually shared this experience and Barry picked interest in it. Barry is an Englishman and a committed Christian. At the time we had this conversation, he was in Nigeria on a contract with an oil and gas company. In this community in the Niger Delta, where he lived and worked, the expatriates were having a field day with the local girls. Now, Barry had a burden for evangelism. His mission field easily became the commercial sex workers he often encountered at the estate club or just by virtue of keeping company with the other guys. Barry was also single and, naturally, in search of a wife. He told the young women about the wonderful love of Jesus, the Son of God, who had changed his life. We wondered how we could help Barry in this work. He mentioned that in trying to reach out to these women, he got to hear a common reason for their lifestyle; many of them said they were driven by the need to survive.
Now here is the testimony. It would have occurred sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s. At the time I was a church worker at the Apapa parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. That workforce was the most energetic and passionate I have come across. Workers’ meetings were intense and deep experiences in worship, study of God’s word and prayer. We were bustling with this amazing energy, full of faith and zeal. We recorded many adventures; it was not uncommon for us to empty our bank accounts, sell our only cars or give all the money in our pockets as offering to fund God’s work– and all this with joy! Our youthful passion was dissipated in service to God and humanity. Another thing we did was fast often.
At the time, I shared a flat with my childhood friend, Ebi. One day I discovered my supply of food had run out. Pay day must have been round the corner, but I needed to eat to stay alive till pay day. I wondered what to do – should I ask Ebi for food? Should I get food from my sister’s house? Should I get in touch with my parents to bail me out? Or, should I take my need to one of the many young men who were chasing me? – and some of them were quite well to do. I decided there was yet one option I could explore: fast for the 3 days before pay day. I opted for the last alternative and this is the simple story that got Barry excited!
He pointed out to me that if, in trying to support him, I shared the gospel with the young women, they could write me off as privileged and therefore unable to empathize with their struggle. But he felt that with the experience I had just narrated, I could connect with them.
Since God used Barry to open my eyes, I have shared this story over and over again, to encourage young women that lack (of even a necessity such as food) is no reason to sell out.
So, if we find ourselves pressured to give ‘sex for marks’, or for promotion, or to do anything that would put us at variance with God’s word, we don’t need to give in. Even where we have options, we can intentionally choose the not so easy path that profits us spiritually and builds our character.
I believe that decision I took over 25 years ago left me better than before - for one, I learnt that going 3 days without food does not kill. I also enjoyed the many benefits of detoxing, and while at it I shed some weight.
The same resolve that helps us to say no to the easy way out would serve us well when we are faced with the temptation to displease God to satisfy a temporary need. Today it may just be food we need to give up, tomorrow it could be a luxury car, a juicy contract or a dream job.
David was able to defeat Goliath because he had previously triumphed in smaller battles:
‘But David said to Saul “… Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
I will hereby plead that we make the best of our situations, work hard, seek direction as the one who seeks direction never gets lost, build hope within, hold on to faith, starve your fears, as you set out to sea .... and no matter what life proffers having done all, stay your face on the Creator so that you can walk on water.