THE PATH

Don't be afraid to give up the good for the great - Steve Prefontaine.

Jessica was in her hostel reading her Biology note after hearing of the cancellation of the class. When she was done with the book, she began to read her Bible. She stopped at Matthew 5 verses 13 and 14. As she prayed on the verse, she sensed the Holy Spirit explaining to her.

“Jessica, you are like a light to the whole world, I will liken this light to a white light from a bulb. It reveals true colours. It gives clarity when things that can’t be understood or seen are brought under it. It does not change blue to black neither does it turn a green coloured dress to purple. Jessica, you are to be like this white light. When it shines around, it makes people see themselves and their true colours and helps them to make amends where necessary. The coloured light does not do this. That is why people use coloured lights in places like clubs. That is so they can hide people’s identity. The coloured light is made to hide all the evil works of the world. They don’t like light for their work are evil. The coloured light makes people look different from who they are. Don’t be a coloured light, Jessica.”

“Holy Spirit … thank you.” Jessica prayed as she nodded in understanding. “As Christians, we are to be the white light so that as our light shines, it will reveal the true colours and personalities of others. It will also show their shortcomings and enable them seek help in order to make amends. I understand now, Holy Spirit. Thank you for unravelling the mystery of the white light and please, help me to be one. Amen.”

While Jessica was still praying on the matter the Holy Spirit revealed to her, Kate walked into the room excitedly.
“Jessie!” She screamed. “Check this out! You really need to see this. It’s not like the others I’ve been showing you. Jessica looked up to see Kate drawing her attention to a brightly coloured magazine filled with models showcasing different designer clothes. Jessica saw the exact picture Kate wanted her to look at and she immediately recognised the famous model, “Is that not the famous Jael Dalley? The one whose face is on the billboards all over the country?"

Kate looked at Jessica open-mouthed and laughed, “Yes, she is. Jessie, don’t tell me you know her too. See our beloved Sister Jessica o.” Kate teased.
“I know her very well Kate, Jessica mused. “I used to love her and her clothes. Any clothe she endorses, I’d try to get it as part of my collection. I idolized her so much that I tried to look like her every time. My obsession with Jael Dalley continued till I met Jesus a year ago.”

Jessica turned to Kate and continued, “Kate, when I met Jesus, I saw that all those things were not worth my time. I realized that I needed to focus more on my relationship with God and also do more to improve on myself and make my parents proud of me. I wasted a lot of time before. I wish I had known earlier. Thank God I still found Him when I did.” Jessica concluded with tears in her eyes.

Kate drew nearer as she began, “Jessica. I’ve always tried to control it. Believe me, I just can’t. It is already a part of my life. You recall that I once told you of my dream to be a pharmacist? Well, Jessie, I don’t think that will be possible now. You know what I scored in my first test and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is already around the corner.” Kate dabbed her wet eyes. “I’m scared Jessie. I don’t know how to help myself or how to even start studying now. I need help, Jessie. I need help.” she sobbed. Jessica began, “Kate, you just mentioned that you need help. There is only one person I know that can help you. He is the only one that arms with strength and makes our ways perfect. Kate, that person is Jesus.”

“Jess,” Kate whispered. “If Jesus will help me then, why waste so much time? Please, introduce me to Him and plead with Him to help me. Please Jess.” Kate begged.
"Kate, Jesus likes it when we come directly to Him and ask for help,” Jessica replied smiling. “Another amazing thing is that I can introduce Him to you here and now." Jessica proceeded to lead Kate to Christ.

“God is faithful”, Jessica repeated over and over as she concluded her prayers with Kate. “That’s all Kate. You are now part of the family. You will have to start acting like one.”
Kate nodded, with her eyes closed.

“One more thing Kate, I feel led to pray with you concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That way, you can communicate better in prayers to God and you will also be friends with the Holy Spirit. Let us pray.”

While they continued the prayer, Kate was baptised in the Holy Ghost and she burst into tongues. After a while, she became calm. Jessica was still on her knees singing songs of gratitude to God for his goodness towards her roommate.

The electricity was restored and as Jessica looked up, she saw the white bulb in the room. She had never noticed before that there was a white bulb there. She recalled what the Holy Spirit had taught her recently.
“I never knew I would see the application so soon. Thank You Lord.”

She finally stood up and packed some things into a bag in preparation for her meeting with Phillip. She walked towards the door and bade Kate goodbye. “She’s so happy” Jessica thought as she closed the door softly.

When Jessica left the room, Kate picked up her Chemistry notebook to study. Immediately, she heard a voice behind her, “I believe reading your Bible first is a better idea, Kate.” Kate jumped and looked around the room searching for the speaker. “Who spoke just now?” she wondered. “Or, could this be the Holy Spirit Jessica was talking about? Oookay.” She said surprised.
“So fast? I thought He will study me for a while before speaking. Oh! This is glorious,” Kate rejoiced.
“Holy Spirit, if You are the one speaking, I have to say – I am going to enjoy this!”

She gently lifted her pillow and found the Bible she usually kept underneath her pillow to ward off evil spirits supposedly. She laughed at her superstition. The only place she knew was Psalm 23 so she carefully searched. “The Lord is my Shepherd…” she began to read.

...the path is the way...