Today In History
- Segun Ogunsunlade
- May 25, 2020
- 3 min read
On this day, May 25th 2017, I left, with friends and colleagues, the four walls of NYSC Orientation Camp McGregor, Afikpo Ebonyi state. It was mixed feelings to say the least but one duo seemed to get the better part of me. It was a mixture of fear and joy but I guess more of the former. You ask why was I afraid? Shouldn't I be joyful and grateful that the 21 days of "supposed suffering" is over and I get to reunite with my family and old friends again...
...well, there was that feeling too. It's been really a long time in camp but I won't describe the experience as "suffering" for even though, my supposed limits were extended and my patience & endurance were tested, but the experiences I had in that camp are forever written in gold in my heart. The drills, the games, the stress, the sleepless nights and sleepy mornings, the long queues, the drama, the competitions, and most importantly the people that I met made the experience one I will ever treasure. But somewhere in my heart, there was this struggling emotion of fear....
...could it be due to the "shocking" reality that the regimented life is finally over and we are now the masters of our time and lives? But that shouldn't be shocking because it was the theme of the usual sermon given by the camp coordinator to start our mornings in camp. What then could it be?
After what seemed like eternity, the real reason popped in my mind like a lighted bulb.
I realized that at that moment, I was trying to figure out how the next days that will turn to weeks, weeks that'll turn to months and months that will turn to years will be...
..."but that's quite normal" you might say, we all have to be conscious and intentional about the way we live our lives. Believe me, I can't agree with you more. But what seemed "quite normal" and "harmless" almost robbed me of the joy that surrounds me at this important time of my life.
The lesson that experience thought me and that I am grateful for is that there's a very thin line between "planning about the future" and "playing God"...
...no matter how you look at it, the feeling of fear crawled in the moment my thought of the future exposes my vulnerability and inabilities. I suddenly realized that there's a lot about test future that are way beyond my control and that feeling of helplessness is what brewed the fear. I was “sincerely and innocently playing God...
...fast forward to today, May 25th, 2020. The story is definitely different. Even though it's just 3 years after camp but everything I see around me now, I couldn't see it happening in ten years time back in that day. Each day after that experience has been a productive and progressive journey to that future that my mind blinded with fear couldn't see.
Of a truth, His thought towards me are good not of evil to give a future and a hope!...
...that's why I dedicate today to celebrate my very own best friend, sweet Holy Spirit❤️. Who looked beyond the faults of my human nature and loved me like I was blameless. Who designed the future I couldn't see and daily holds my hand as he guides me to it. He's the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Today, I boldly declare that I Am His Forever because I Am Loved By Him!
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