A test of integrity Week 25, 2015

I graduated in 2000 and went on to do my training as a medical laboratory scientist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. I finished in 2003. Immediately after this one of my lecturers got me employed. I was to be paid 30% and that month I received N17, 300. I had already covenanted with God to give my first salary to Him wholly so I sowed all of it to God and continued working, but after the next month’s salary my employer’s husband decided he no longer wanted the laboratory and terminated the arrangement. He told his wife if she wanted a laboratory it would have to be separate from the hospital. I was hurt, especially as I recounted the whole salary offering I made. I was unemployed within 2 months of that. The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the person who searches for him Lam 3:25(ISV) 

After a brief spell at home I was informed the Medical Centre UNN would soon advertise for workers and that I could go and work with them. I then moved to Nsukka and stayed with my younger brother who was a student. Actually no vacancy existed then but they were willing to have me as a casual worker with a stipend of N5, 000 monthly whilst waiting in the hope of an advert. I accepted and started work. Needless to say things were not easy. Not long after I started I began noticing some samples bore only names and no hospital numbers. On further inquiry I learned my immediate boss who gave us the samples to run was running her own private practice on the laboratory. Those samples were her costumers who were not hospital clients and paid her directly whilst she used hospital equipments and personnel. It was clearly wrong. Initially I put up with it but finally I was grieved in my heart and purposed to have no part with it. I refused to run such samples anymore: and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are Eph 5:11(ISV).My immediate boss was livid when she learned of it. “Are you the only Christian that has worked here? You will not survive in this place!” she went on and on at me as I bent over the microscope to prevent her from seeing the tears that came to my eyes. I had been working there only 3 months.

A month before this I had a dream. A new building was being commissioned and a man said to me “This building was not originally meant for you but it is now yours” as he handed the keys to me. I did not understand the meaning of the dream. When my boss had finished her rant I tried to pull myself together as I heard someone standing at the door. I looked up to see who it was. The medical director had a practice of going around the facility about midday and had come upon us during his rounds. I did not know how long he had been there listening. I did not know him previously; he was the man in my dream! He inquired what had transpired between us but I bent my head to hide my tears and said it was nothing. Not satisfied he called me to his office and inquired further but I couldn’t say anything to him. Quite displeased he sent for my immediate boss. She apparently thought I had told him what transpired for she now reported herself saying it was only a little sample she asked me to run. The director then sent for me and thus learned the extent of what had been going on. He sent a strongly worded letter on my behalf to the then vice chancellor (Prof Nebo). Within 2 weeks I was called to personnel to collect my appointment letter. I got the job without any interview.

 Blessing is a lab scientist at UNN medical centre

God's heroes Week 24, 2015

I have heard it said Job was the cause of his afflictions. That lack of faith was the reason Satan found a loophole to afflict him. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. Job 3:25(NIV). But a time honoured and sure way of interpreting scripture is using other scripture passages relevant to the matter. In Job2:3(NIV) scripture says the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." No reason. Without cause - as put in some translations. Or do we believe God is shy to face his people with unbelief? Jesus makes it clear why Peter sank in the waters, "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matt 14:31(NIV); and why the disciples were not able to cast out a demon. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith.” Matt 17:19-20(NIV)

If God’s statement in Job2:3 is to be taken literally (and it has to be) unbelief was not why God allowed the affliction. Was it pride on Job’s part? If it was then the accusation of his three friends that hidden sin was the cause would have been accurate. But God who searches the heart and tries the motives declared “you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason”. So Job dreaded disaster. Yes. It encouraged him to walk holily: For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendour I could not do such things. Job 31:23 (NIV) Armed robbers attacked and killed his men, all his livestock stolen or destroyed, all his children died in one day when a whirlwind destroyed the house (Job1:13-20). Job’s theology, and that of his God-fearing friends was shattered by the events (we still grapple with this book today), yet he maintains integrity to the end.

Tragically when unexpected, unexplained things have happened some have left God. When lack of faith or sin in the life could not explain it; when failure to tithe and give seed faith could not be fingered as the culprit, could God say of me ‘And he still maintains his integrity’? Today’s teachings imply you can pretty much regulate the happenings around you if you have faith, think right, give generously... but from of old the heroes of God stand firm when unexpected inexplicable things happen. Then they worship. At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship Job1:20-21(NIV).  I do not pray that Job’s troubles come upon you or I. But I do pray we become those who withstand ill treatment and adverse situations without cause, and yet worship God. It’s such stuff that makes God’s heroes. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God. Heb 11:13, 16 (NIV)

 Ever wondered the difference between singing praise and worshipping?

Can He boast of you? Week 23, 2015

Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."Job 1:8(NIV). If it were today would God confidently boast of you? I believe God wants to, and does frequently, boast about His children. Just like we say to people “You see this child, so smart. Able to take a radio apart and put it back together and it works very well. Able to cook any meal I also can cook. Able to...” and so on. That scripture “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.” Ps 127:4-5(NIV) means to me God wants to boast about us without being ashamed. That He intends to use you to confront and contend with His enemies. Or would God hesitate if Satan replied “But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” Job 1:11 (NIV). Can God boast of you?

When today God boasts of us does Satan not laugh and say “Touch now their money”? If you do not agree why is it that when salaries are delayed, or withheld, (or underpaid) we put longsuffering, discipleship and compassion somewhere as we battle for rights and “survival”. As though God has not guaranteed in Heb 13:5(NIV) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  When debtors are slippery does thanksgiving become far and irritation, resentment, and grumblings nearer? I used to think love is not easily irritated but 1Cor 13:5(ESV) says love is not irritable or resentful.  Or perhaps Christian principles are not expected to be applied in such matters? I know God reserves deep punishment for all employers who cheat their workers without repentance, and those stewards who instead of sharing out due meat to others divert the funds and become drunken. I know. That can never be in doubt. But what else distinguishes a Christian but love to the unlovely, and patiently bearing up under unjust suffering? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps 1Pt 2:20-21(ESV). Can He boast of you?

In a prayer meeting I attended the brethren raised up a cry to God for a halt to strike actions in the health institutions and cried “AMEN!” Sorry. If you are waiting for the day unions will stop calling for strikes before you stop going on strike I wish to alert you that is not likely any time soon. Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.” Lk 17:1(NIV). If you are waiting for people to stop being seductive before you walk consistently in holiness, for people to become fully respectful before you stop striking with the fist, for every need of yours met in your timing and plan before you stop compromising, how will God boast of you?