Chapter Seven

Eniola was disturbed, Abena said she had seen her uncle, Madeyo, seated by the gate on her way back from the queen mother’s chambers. She had also mentioned that Madeyo had been there for the past three days. He never left to go home and had not even had a change of clothes.

Something bad had happened and she desperately needed to know what it was. Eniola  arranged with Abena to find out what was wrong with her uncle, and she had come back to say that the king and his chief of Security, Halaam, had decided to annihilate the Yoruba Christians in the land.

“He is asking for your help to speak to the king, hoping that you will be able to soften his heart.” Abena said, and watched Eniola pace the room.

“Did you tell him that there is nothing I can do? I have not even seen the king for three weeks. He hasn’t summoned me.”

Abena sighed, wondering how to deliver Madeyo’s message politely. Eniola sensed her distress.

“Is there something on your mind?”

“Your uncle has another message for you.”

Eniola rushed to go and sit beside Abena.

“What did he say?”

“He said that you should not think that you are safe from trouble because you are in the palace. If you are quiet when your voice is needed to save your people, God will raise help from elsewhere, but you and your family will perish.”

“Hmm” Eniola sighed, then rose.

“Return to the palace gate. Find Uncle Madeyo, tell him to go and comfort the people. All will be well. Even though it is not the culture of the land, I will break protocol and go to the king unsummoned. If I perish, I perish”

Abena widened her eyes in shock.

“My queen, are you sure?”

Eniola looked out the window and saw Chief Halaam walking majestically to the palace. Fear, the type she had never felt before gripped her heart, tears welling up her eyes.

“Making a courageous move is never because of lack of fear, but a move of faith despite the fears. If I don’t make this move, I can’t achieve anything worthwhile. I must do this.” Eniola said, and wiped the tears that fell with the back of her hand.

Abena smiled sadly, shaken by the young queen’s resolve.

“May your gods help you.”

Eniola held the older woman’s hands and looked into her eyes.

“May God help me. Abena, there is only one God, no other gods, but the Lord God Almighty.”

Abena nodded, moved by Eniola’s confidence.

“I am almost convinced you are right, because only absolute trust in the all-powerful can make you attempt to move against the strongest chief in the land.”

Eniola smiled.

“I will go and make preparations to beautify you some more. If you are to face the king without invitation, you must take his breath away,” Abena said and moved to leave, but Eniola held her hand to hold her back.

“Beauty may have its power, but it is prayer that moves mountains, and makes the impossible a reality. Tell my uncle to organise a three-day fasting and prayer with the faithful ones in our fellowship, I will join them too. They should start praying for me, that I will find favour as I stand before our king.”

Madeyo was excited by Abena’s report, but Abena was furious.

“That girl has a real chance at becoming a legendary queen. Why do you want her to end up like Vabifat? The king has not summoned her, she is not allowed to show up without being summoned.”

Madeyo shook his head in disagreement.

“You and your people are just being selfish. I don’t want you destroyed for any reason, but if it must happen, why should you drag the girl into this? Let her enjoy her good fortune.”

Madeyo smiled sadly despite his grief.

“Do you think I want my dearly beloved niece who means more to me than anything in the world to get destroyed or punished?”

“Then why are you involving her?” Abena asked, unable to comprehend the decision.

“Eniola is a Christian. A Christian cannot be in a place without making an impact. She carries the gift of the Holy Spirit that can help her make significant changes. It is her duty to use it, and if we perish, we perish, but we must do the will of God”

Abena sighed.

“Queen Eniola said the same thing.”

Madeyo smiled.

“Of course, we don’t want to perish in the true sense of the word, but Christians don’t perish. We may lose our earthly bodies, but we will rise up in glory to enjoy everlasting life.”

Abena had tears in her eyes.

“I have never seen faith like this before. Can I be a part of your group?”

Madeyo held her hands.

“We are more than just a group. We are Christians.”

“How can I become a Christian?” Abena asked.

“By asking Jesus to become your Lord and personal saviour, and making the daily decision to walk in His ways.”

Abena looked up.

“Jesus, come into my life.”

“Hallelujah!” Madeyo rejoiced.

“Are you saying that is all? No sacrifice required?”

“Jesus died on the cross of calvary! That’s the sacrifice.”

“He died? He is dead?” Abena asked, confused.

“He rose on the third day, and is now seated in the heavens far above principalities and powers.”

“This is wonderful,” Abena said, and Madeyo held her hands to pray with her, grateful to God for the way He works wonders.

Even if God did not answer their prayers and Halaam’s attempt to annihilate the Yoruba Christians worked, they would all know it was the divine will of God, but he was glad that Eniola found the courage to do her part, which led to saving a soul for Christ. Truly, when we shine our light, we give others the permission and courage to do the same.

They would pray, but it would be up to God to do the rest.

The Christian faith is a call to surrender. A call to surrender to the one who loves us and has bought us with the biggest price of all, his life. Choose Christ in how you live everyday and indirectly, you might be leading a brother or sister to eternal life.