Lonely at the Shrine

 Good morning and welcome to this morning virtual Sunday School class right inside the jungle in South Carolina.

Where in South Carolina, sir?

Well, it is in a place called OYOTUNJI, an African village, right in the heartland of America.

Really, sir?

Yes, of course. Can I lie to you? Incidentally I saw the OGUN shrine and I was ‘lectured’ how I dare not lie in front of OGUN LAKAAYE, that the repercussion might be catastrophic for me and my everything.

But, sir, we lie here  all the time with the two sides of the mouth, after stealing and killing, and get away with it.

Yes, we can get away with anything in “our dear native land” because of impunity. Sin, swear, on the Bible or Quran, and get with blue murder. In this place they take you before the Ogun or SANGO shrine to “bura” (swear) and woe betides you if you dare lie.

Excuse me, sir, why are you preaching to us from far away and in front of SHRINE, for that matter?

First of all, you know I’m not always preaching but teaching. I’m a teacher not a preacher and my own teaching method is not dogmatic but pragmatic. No fixation on dogmas but on the practicability of doctrines. So don’t think I’m teaching you nonsense.

Agreed, sir, that you are not teaching us no nonsense why are you conducting today’s class from the bush in an African village, as you said, in America, their America?

Good talk. Our God is their God. God is God. We only have different names to Him, the Supreme Deity. Olodumare, Chukwu, Allah, whether Seriki or no Seriki, “disamutini ni” (na the same thing). He is the alpha and omega. “Obaloni, Obalola. Obatoto fun un”

What’s that?

Kinla.

Itumo?

Meaning you too “chuk mouth”. Na everything you wan sabi?

Yes, sir, and that’s why we dey for Sunday School to learn, to know and to understand God.

If you know that already, then let me go further  by letting you know of the three great attributes of God. He is their OMNIPRESENT, OMNIPOTENT and OMNISCIENT General Overseer of the Univers. These attributes in Christian theology define God’s nature and relationship with the world.

Are you following me?

Yes, sir. Spoke on!

In general terms these attributes of being all knowing, all powerful and all over the universe, supretending over all things and unseen are what make Him awesome. For example, let’s examine the concept of OMNIPRESENCE. God is everywhere, not just in one place or location. This attribute emphasizes God’s ability to be with His creation, guiding and interacting with it. David said as much in Psalm 139, saying, “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there”.

Are you following me?

Yes, sir. We are all ears. Spoke on and on and on till…

Sorry it can’t be on and on forever. We just  have to “gbabrake” here now by concluding on the essence of my holding class in OYOTUNJI today. God is everywhere whether in Calabar or Carolina. God is God and He is all over the place. 

This interesting. Very illuminating. Our people used to say, sir, that you don’t need to travel to Sokoto to look for what you can easily find in your sokoto…

What is that mean?

I mean can’t you contemplate on having something like this in “our dear native Naija” too?

Look at you! Where have you been since all these days? You mean you never heard me talk of IFA MOSQUE CATHEDRAL before? Maa a wo e”. Luke at you😆🤣🤣