PURPOSE

Scenario 1

As a teenager, I loved to find my identity in the things I wore. Designer brands trended in my world. From expensive Louboutin and McQueen to affordable Chanel, Gucci and the likes. I was particularly crazy about fragrances. I'd surf the net for good ones with a 'name' but yet within my pockets reach. I believed scents said a lot about a person and I had read in a women's magazine that in order to appear like a decent lady, you needed a feminine perfume that smelled good enough on close range but does not leave a trail 5 miles away as that would only scream 'notice me!' 

Due to my quest, I stumbled on Taylor's White Diamond that was gifted my mum but she wouldn't let me have it. I saw Paco Rabanne's Million Man and went online and saw Lady Million which would cost me a fortune if I ventured into it, so I let it be. One day at the market, I stumbled on Victoria Secret's Beauty Rushes. It seemed the perfect scent at the time. I needed to leave lasting first impressions😇 and viola it worked.

One day as I strolled casually down the school street, I met a classmate and he immediately started screaming: your perfume smells nice, wow wow etc. Well, in a way, it was what I wanted but Christ already started a work in my life then and I felt perhaps, I shouldn't wear scents that will leave people who came close to me screaming on the road.😆

But come to think of it now, Christ actually needs us to wear fragrances that will leave such effects on people. It's the goal of Christianity that everybody we come in contact with will know that we have been with Christ. Either by mere presence or our actions or whatsoever. We are His aroma on earth and should leave trails even 10 miles away. This is the general purpose of our calling. To be an aroma to God and to our vicinity.

2 Corinthians 2: "14 But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done, he has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Gospel like a sweet perfume. 15 As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us. 16 To those who are not being saved, we seem a fearful smell of death and doom, while to those who know Christ we are a life-giving perfume. But who is adequate for such a task as this?" TLB

Scenario 2

Recently, I was having a conversation with one of my brothers and we talked about how age seems to influence maturity although age isn't a true representation of maturity. He talked about the difference in the conversation he had with two young adults with age difference of 4 years. The older one seemed more focused or seemed to have a more distinct view of what life holds. I agreed with him as I have also noticed a lot of difference between the girl I was at 20 and the woman I'm becoming.

The last 3 months of my life before this NYSC year had me working in a paediatrics hospital. I had never been more sure about whether this is the path I want to tow for life like I was in those months. At the beginning, I was skeptical about pursuing that headlong as I felt perhaps I may have more time to do that in future while I could use that time to work in general hospitals to pick up skills as a general doctor rather than 'specializing' early. Nonetheless, as I waited for NYSC, it was clear God wanted me to be in the children hospital.  I didn't fight it, I obeyed. And the more I worked there, the stronger my convictions. But then came a young man who had the same opinion I had previously who didn't think I was doing the right thing by narrowing my options early. He felt I should not be in the hospital but in another place. His points were valid but I had a conviction and at that junction I knew I had no business pursuing a relationship with such a fellow who didn't believe in where I thought God was leading me to. It would be a suicide mission. I used excuses to avoid even a first date.

Knowing what I carry and whom to help in my pursuit of God is very important and an extra baggage of differing goals wasn't welcome. I began to appreciate God that at 26, I still had time to understand myself and get a clear path to follow. At 21, I'd have probably given that brother an ear. Although these are not matters of age as God can reveal purpose to a 16 year old. But since we know in bits, I forever remain grateful for having the opportunity to serve a child health facility while I waited for the National Youth Service Corps. The children ministry must be fulfilled in the clinics and otherwise.

Acts 20:24 "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." ESV

Scenario 3

These past weeks in  Makurdi has been turbulent. From being rejected at my place of primary assignment (PPA) to being accused of inducing the rejection to back and forth movement of getting a new placement and travelling to meet up with other engagements. In the midst of all this, the temptation to become discouraged or fold my hands until it clicks was very strong. I've been staying at NCCF family house and somehow, I was tempted not to be relaxed intially. Yet, no other place would have been a safer haven for a believer. The communion has been glorious, although the former heart disposition would have robbed me of that. In the midst of this waiting, I came across these quotes:

"If you're waiting on God, do what waiters do: serve!"

"Stress isn't only a joy stealer. The way we respond to it can be sin."

- Ann Voskamp

I didn't need to survey my area much to find work as the kids came flocking around daily. I had to search out the address of Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM) as this would be a good year to finally attend the training course. Since NYSC practice will be outside of child health, getting current/future training on child spirit and soul health wouldn't be a bad idea. I had to get busy while still going to the offices to disturb those keeping me. If we're not treating them in the hospital, we can treat them on the streets. This seasonal purpose may as well turn out to be a long lasting one.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" ESV