“What is the meaning of born-again?â€
Jumai quizzed as she looked directly at Lara who was lying on her sofa. Lara looked up and wasn’t too surprised at the question; Jumai loved arguing with her especially on religious issues and being married to Musa who joined the born-again click one week before their wedding day made her arguments with her much heated up. Jumai was a first class Law student who believed strongly in social development and arguing with a very strong opinionated Muslim was not Lara’s way of spending the Sunday afternoon especially after the unusual incident at her own residence with Ene and the security man.
“Jumai, you read the bible more than I do and you own almost all the versions of the bible, why ask me?†Lara sat up looking straight at her friend.†I like listening to you talk about it, dear†Jumai answered. Lara continued looking at her and knew she was serious.“The word born-again was used once in the bible and it was directed by Jesus to a teacher of the law named Nicodemus. The offshoot of the discussion was based on the productivity that Nicodemus found in Jesus life and wanted to find out the secret. Nicodemus did not fully understand the answers Jesus gave him so Jesus was surprised that a teacher of the law could not understand spiritual thingsâ€. She was interrupted by Jumai’s baby girl crying in the room. “Go on my dear, my sister will tend to herâ€. Lara stood up from her seat and looked at the huge wedding picture hanging across the living room. She wondered why Musa decided to go on with the wedding despite pressure from his church. She remembered his call two day before the wedding date asking her what were the implications of marrying a Muslim. Lara was torn between her friend and the truth so in order to escape the pressure placed on her, she had simply dodged the question by referring him to 1st Corinthians 7:36. Whatever decision he made was not hers.
“Musa has changed a lot. He surprises me everyday with the wisdom he brings to every argument. He is very gentle and different from the Musa I was dating. He does not lie even when he knows it will hurt me and his business is just growing in an astronomical measure. Can you imagine that yesterday, I screamed and nagged at him for something he did not do and he merely hugged me and told me he loved me. Is that what you meant by the productivity in Jesus life?†she said rising up to join Lara. “Yes, that is what cooperating with the spirit of God does to you†Then Jumai faced her and asked her “then why is my neighbor who disturbs us with his prayer every morning not like Musa? Our neighbor is rude and he looks down on everyone as if he is holier than thou, but he seems to be having issues with his business as he borrows money all the time.†Lara was prepared for that question as she responded “Being born-again is not enough, you also have to be born of the spirit. The spirit teaches you through various medium like listening to a pastor, reading your bible and so on. That is why you read the bible and not understand. The program has not been activated inside of you to fully understand and unlock the wisdom in the Bible. You also have to cooperate with whatever he tells you to do.â€
Jumai looked away from Lara, something was burning in her heart. She always felt this way whenever she discusses with Lara. There was a surge of torrent in her heart as the heat increased; this was beyond her human intellect and there was no rationale for this.Lara’s phone rang as if saving her from the embarrassing situation.“Hello Lara, I will need you to fill-up my position as I am stuck in Abuja and the singles are waiting for me this evening to speak to them.†said the speaker at the other end of the phone. Lara was shocked that the Single fellowship President could actually ask her to speak to thousands of singles. She does not even attend church regularly not to talk of attending the singles meeting. In fact, she has only been there once and she left early giving the excuse she was sick. She wondered if the lady did not make mistake with the name, so her response was “I am Lara Gbadamosi, I am sure you are speaking to the wrong person.†There was a long silence at the other end and a rich voice filled the phone “I know, I have been watching your progress ever since you joined us and I am sure you are the best person to speak on my behalf. I want you to tell the ladies especially your secret of happiness despite your singe state.†Lara was shocked but she eventually caved in and was told the talk was in 30 minutes time. After disengaging the phone, Lara was shocked beyond her wildest dream. She was to speak to thousands of singles and she was giving 30minutes to prepare not to talk of distance to reach her destination. She was about to speak to God when she realized that Jumai was still in the room. Jumai turned to her; she came to her front and knelt down as tears began to flow from her cheekâ€
Please, Pray for me; I want to be born-aganâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦. Â
This story is a sequel to MEMOIRS OF A VIRGIN Â Â
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