Checkmate Episode 9 (By Adeyoola Ojemola)

Joshua was waiting at the reception for Pastor Dave. Before he got to Church, a deacon had already been waiting for him so while he waited for Joshua’s arrival, he attended to the deacon. In his waiting, Joshua slept off on the reception chair. The church secretary was not on the seat so he had nobody to be chatty with while he waited.

Suddenly, it felt like he had slept forever but his startled waking up might have been an effect from the Pastor’s door which suddenly opened.

Then he saw Pastor Dave face as he walked out with the deacon to see him off and he remembered that he had a dream while he dozed off.

It did not seem like a wonderful dream to him.

Trying to recollect what he saw, the first thing he remembered was that there was Pastor Dave then there was another of him!

Pastor Dave kept pushing the other him away but the other him kept dragging at Pastor Dave.

Funny thing was that they were in matching clothes so he could not differentiate who his pastor was between both. He simply stood away but it felt like Joshua had to choose one of them.

By the time he arrived at that point, Joshua had broken into a sweat. Joshua did not like having dreams especially when he did not feel good about them when he remembers them. Why? He has come to know it as brewing trouble. How he feels right now smells like a storm of trouble.

But he knew what to do first, give thanks for the revelation. He did not like it but God has to be praised for giving the heads-up. And so he bowed his head and spoke in tongues to bless God and quickly pray for guidance on the revelation.

As he was rounding off, Pastor Dave came in. While exchanging some pleasantries, they walked into his office. ‘I saw Iya Ibeji as I was coming back in. She seems to be in a chat with one of the ladies in the church.

Did you come along together?’ Pastor Dave asked. ‘Not particularly, Sir. I do have some things to share with you. One is about Daniella and I and the other is about you, sir’. Joshua said and after sitting, he shared the dream he had with Pastor Dave first. While Pastor Dave listened, he kept wondering what this meant.

‘Am I living a double standard life?’ How can there be two of me? Do I have a generational problem I need to sort out? Are there altars seeking to drag me down the more I push them away? What does this mean, Father?’.

When Joshua finished his narration, he concluded with him having an uneasy feeling about the dream. Something simply does not feel right considering that he had the dream while he was waiting for the Pastor.

The both of them sat in silence for a brief moment. ‘What do you think it means? Does it mean anything to you?’ Pastor Dave asked. Joshua only shook his head sideways then said, ‘we can spend some time praying about it. What happened to Simon?’.

Pastor Dave’s shoulder slumped as he leaned back in his chair then he confessed to Joshua ‘I am scared. I am really scared for Simon. All the questions he was being asked at school, his vice-principal said he did not say a word in response.

When he was called in to join us in the meeting, I asked him where he got it from. My son said nothing! Nothing!! I was about to lash out at him in anger but for my wife who held my hand. Then I said nothing. She said nothing too.

Seeing that we were all not saying anything, the vice-principal gave the verdict in our presence and it was with immediate effect, suspension. And he reiterated again that this was his second suspension.

At the need for a third time, he would be asked not to return to the school. All I see right now concerning Simon is the need to pray for his soul and ask that God shed His light on everything hidden in darkness’.

‘You are right, Pastor. Simon has withdrawn from me. The other day, I caught him walking towards my direction.

The moment he saw me, he crossed to the window side walkway and he went out of the Church through the side entrance. I could not believe my eyes sir! I am very certain he saw me and he knew I saw him but he chose to pretend otherwise and walk away from me.

I somehow regret that I did not listen to Daniella when she told me at the initial start of these attitudes that something was really wrong.

I believe all that we have to do is to simply pray! Counselling might not yield any results until we are sure that is a God-directed approach.

We can’t practice trial and error on Simon’s case. we just have to hit it right on the head and we can only do that when God directs us so. We can’t afford to have his heart hardened beyond what it is now’ Joshua responded.

Sitting up in his chair, Pastor Dave said, ‘Speaking of Daniella, you mentioned earlier that there was something to share. I hope it is alright with you both’.

Suddenly, Joshua grew cold feet.

He was not sure he wanted to share the current matter with Daniella with someone again.

Would they understand the rationale behind this as a Spiritual leading?

Would Pastor Dave understand that this is equally heavy on him and he is only seeking a burden-bearer and not a convincer that God could not have meant what he is confident God said.

Sensing some reluctance from Joshua, Dave responded with ‘if you are not ready to share, I will wait till you are’.

Joshua took a deep breath and summoned courage, he shared all God had told him about Little-P, what he told Daniella, Daniella’s reaction that very morning, his own feelings, how sure he was that it was God, his current doubts, his hopes, everything. He spoke like water gushing from a waterfall.

Pastor Dave looked at Joshua in total bewilderment! Is Bro Josh sure of what he is saying? he thought. This has absolutely nothing to do with God! I am certain! Or am I not?

Pastor Dave did not notice that he was already pacing around in his office. He will pace some, stop, then stare at Joshua.

Then start the process again.

He then said finally, ‘I don’t believe God will say that, sir. Or can He?

He can, right?’ Dave asked Joshua.

Then he noticed he was pacing.

He sat down, right beside Joshua on his office sofa.

‘This is heavy!!

Were you told how to go about it?

Who will the baby go to?

Do we know any waiting couples around you?

Bro Joshua, this is heavy o!

Haaaahhhh!!!!

Very heavy o!’

Right now, I don’t know what to say to you as a pastor, your pastor. But we can pray. We can talk to God about this, for clarity, and for the other two things.

Right now, I am short of any encouragement in words or action. I can only ask God with you for more guidance and direction.

If it is easier for you to accept this, it will be harder for Daniella, that much I can say. She carries the child after all.

You know what, let’s spend some time praying, right now.

And they prayed, each raising prayer points for the other, bearing each other’s burdens. Strengthening each other in faith, beseeching God for light, for His Word, for wisdom, and for continual fellowship with Him regardless of what is before them and what awaits them in time to come.

While they were praying, Daniella had sent a text message to Joshua’s phone: ‘There is something we need to talk about. Very urgent. Let’s see as soon as possible. I am still in the main auditorium. Love you’.

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