Sliding Backwards, An Experience We Often Encounter On Our Way Up

1 day ago (Edited)

3rd April 2019 was a day I will never forget in my life. I can still remember the hot atmosphere, the hall filled with a divine presence that no one can explain, the feeling was a mixture of both fear and joy, the hair on my body rose and my skin was cold.

People were scattered across the hall, some lying down, some crying, some praying, some screaming.

Each time I opened my eyes, it felt like I was missing something. So, I closed them tight, it was as if my spirit left my body. I was still in the hall, but I could only hear people's voices from a distance.

I began to feel like my heart was burning inside, I couldn't tame myself, all the wrong things I did in life began to flash through my mind, and for the first time in a long while, I could see how filthy my life was, I saw how needy I am. It was as if I was condemned for death.

Tears began to roll down my eyes as I whispered, "Lord have mercy on me."

"For the last time, who wants to give his life to Christ? This is a rare opportunity, this is a decision that will turn around your life for good," the man of God, dressed in a black suit shouted from the pulpit then continued to speak in an unknown tongue.

This was the second time he was making that altar call. This time around, it was like he was talking to me directly, his words pierced my heart like a needle pierces through one's finger.

Without hesitation, I shifted the plastic chair at my front and made a bold move to the altar with tears in my eyes as I knelt down with the others.

After confessing Christ to be my lord and personal savior that day, things never remained the same.

My life turned around completely. For the very first time, I had the courage to cut away from bad friends and make peace with everyone I was having a misunderstanding with.

Confessed to those I had cheated, restored the things I got illegally, stopped partying, deleted all sorts of illicit videos, and discarded my intentions of joining a gang.

I was refreshed, I felt like a newborn baby. Life became meaningful and peaceful. I was content with the little I had, I wasn't bothered about anything except for how to please God and to succeed in life.

I was in my room one fateful Monday evening around 4:00 Pm relaxing after meditating on the scriptures I just read when my phone began to vibrate.

I quickly reached for it, "hello!" I sounded calm.

"Hello, brother Emreal, how are you doing?" The deep voice on the phone asked.

Curiosity got the best part of me, I was mute for a moment trying to dictate who was on the line, though the word "brother," points to the fact that it was someone from the church.

"I am fine sir," I responded subsequently.

"You didn't save my phone number, right? Anyways it's Gabriel, the man who invited you to the church," he replied.

I met Gabriel on our street one evening while he was preaching, he handed me a little flier about an upcoming program and we exchanged contact. That was how I went to church.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, "Sorry sir, how are you?" I apologized.

"I am fine bro, how are you coping with your new life?" He asked.

"Well, fine sir, God is helping me," I replied.

"Okay, I am happy to hear that. I don't know how your schedule is today but there is a fellowship in the church by 5:00 Pm, and I would love you to attend."

"The pleasure is mine, sir, I will make time and come over," I responded.

As soon as I dropped the call, I got dressed. I wore a white button-down long sleeve and a black jean trouser. Then I took my bible and headed straight to the church which is just some distance away.

After the service that day, I and Gabriel talked at length and since then he became a mentor to me. He gave me books to read occasionally and I was also fervent.

My growth in the faith was rapid, people in the church and around my vicinity admired my love for God but something happened.

That same year, in December, my uncle called me and suggested that I go and live with him for some time. I couldn't decline, I wanted to be away from home for some time too.

Lafia was a strange environment. Life there was quite good but the young people were only concerned about fancy things, money, and women.

When I came there, I tried my best to keep the faith, which I did for a while but everything changed when I reunited with Jack.

They say "The world is a small place." I never expected to meet anyone I knew in my new environment but life happens.

I was out on a Saturday taking a walk down the street as I always do in the evening, when I saw this familiar face.

At first, I walked passed but something in me told me this was Jack, so I came back and tapped the young man standing in front of a shop waiting to be attended to.

"Good day," I greeted doubtfully from behind.

The young man spun and it was him. "Emreal," he shouted as he hugged me.

"Guy, I was doubtful at first, I mean what will you be doing at Lafia? I thought at first," I confessed after the hug.

"Man, my dad has a house here, I moved here immediately after we graduated from college."

Jack was my close friend in college. He was a gentle person back then but now he looks different, he now has dreadlocks and his lips are dark.

His new looks didn't appeal to me but I told myself "There isn't anything wrong with a harmless conversation, let me not act too holy." We talked at length that evening and ended up exchanging phone numbers.

After that day, we began to hang out from time to time and I noticed something about Jack, he was always talking about big life, women, and money.

When my uncle noticed I was hanging out with him, he showed disapproval. Anytime I stayed out late at night he said "You are sliding backward from your Christian journey, Emreal, this is not you," but I was an adult, I had the right to do as I pleased, so I never listened.

Gradually, I stopped studying the Bible, I gradually stopped interacting with Gabriel, and I stopped taking his calls.

In no time, I saw myself clubbing again, "now you are becoming a man," Jack would always tell me each time I turned up at a party or club. Although I wasn't into alcohol, I became a strong womanizer.

One day we went to the club together with Jack as usual.

The bulb was emitting different colorful lights, people were dancing to the song in the background and I was with one of my girls, Hannie, seated on a table with drinks all around.

Suddenly, I felt like something was off about the environment, so I whispered to Jack "Man, I think we should go home now it's already 11:00 pm."

"Stop behaving like a child, let's have fun please," he replied.

So, I held my peace and behaved in order not to act like a child like Jack said.

It was not up to a minute later we heard, "Nobody moves," the whole place was silent. Fear gripped my heart, it was when one of the officers stepped into the light that we realized it was the police.

We were very afraid because some weeks ago, kidnapping activities were at their peak around that area.

The police came to arrest some notorious guys, unfortunately, all of us were arrested.

The next day we had to bail ourselves out, each person twenty thousand Naira, it was not a big deal, Jack settled it all.

When I got home my uncle was sad about it and expressed his grievances. His wife Nana, too, was displeased. They complained bitterly about the person I have evolved into.

But already, I started feeling guilty right from the police station. I had never dreamed of going there for once. I said I represented Christ some months ago, but look at what I have become now.

I was lost in thought that day and I made my decisions. Early the next day, I apologized to my uncle and his wife.

Then I took my phone and called Gabriel, "Hello brother Emreal, longest time," He responded nicely.

Wow, I wasn't expecting that from him. "Good morning sir," I greeted him.

"Morning, how are you?" He asked.

"I am not fine sir, my life has turned into a mess, I have lost my way," I replied.

He chuckled, "I know but the Lord has shown you mercy, I have been praying for you."

Hmm, it sounded strange.

"You see, any branch cut out of a tree dies off. But thank God you are not a tree, you are human and alive, and there is hope for you. Your problem started when you decided to partner with the world and cut away from the brethren.

This journey you have embarked on, you need to make friends with people carrying your own kind of mind else you will fall again and again," he added.

Hm, "Sir, I didn't know how it happened, I regret every bit of it." I replied, my voice becoming faint. Guilt clouded my mind

"It's okay brother, you can start all over again, I am here for you," he encouraged me.

He prayed for me and also apologized for giving up on me when I stopped taking his calls.

After the event, I cut off from Jack and Hannie and my other girls then put my life in order again.

Mr Gabriel continued checking up on me and also introduced me to one of the branches of their church where I live and I fellowshipped there till I later left Lafia.