21st May, 2022.

I DIDN'T SLEEP- I WAS WRONG

Genesis 2:21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. NLT

I have shared my personal story several times. This story illustrates today's teaching. In my 300 Level in the university, towards the end of first semester, I came under a self- induced pressure to enter a relationship. I just thought to myself that I was fit enough to also be in a relationship. I saw some brethren who were in a relationship and within me I felt I could find myself a sister too. I saw it as "No big deal" affair because I was filled with the Spirit, laying hands on the sick and walking in the supernatural. I became over confident and anxious at the same time. What a bad combo. By the time all these thoughts ran through my mind, I was already close to a sister, my room mates and colleagues match- made us in their minds and they told me we were good together. "Cooler Ministration" started and this made my room mates love her the more. They insisted we were good together. Beware of people who counsel you after they're induced. All these adulations and recommendations got the best of me and I felt I was making the right decision. Only one person cautioned me to be more patient before jumping into that relationship but I ignored her counsel thinking she was jealous because she wasn't in any relationship then.

I thought to myself that God was involved because the voice of men is the voice of God- "Vox Populi Vox Dei." I was wrong. From the day I entered this relationship till the last day I called it off, I lost my peace. I knew something was wrong. The first time I heard something that sounded like an audible voice telling me to dissolve that relationship was during that period of my confusion. Eventually, I did and peace was restored. That was the only serious pre marital relationship I had before I met my wife. There was something I failed to do which made me run into error. I didn't do what Adam did when God wanted to give him a wife, I failed to sleep. In the opening text, Adam's sleep was a literal sleep but figuratively, every single that intend to get it right must "Sleep." God couldn't bring Adam a wife until he slept. To "sleep" is to be free from pressure and anxieties of wanting to get married. Adam wasn't looking here and there for the sister that fit, God brought him a wife.

In the state of "Sleeping", anxiety and pressure will be dead and you won't be looking here and there for the sister that fits your spec. As you "Sleep", you give God the opportunity to work on you before launching you into marriage because God's concern is not about you marrying fast but making you right before marrying right. Some persons think age is what qualifies them to be married but as far as God is concerned, becoming "right" for marriage precede finding "Mr/ Miss Right." Some may remain single for a while until God is through with them. God want to work on you and sharpen your life before certifying you fit. God saw Adam fit before bringing him a wife. It is in that state of "Sleeping" communion is enhanced and clarity is gotten. We have many wrong "Thus Saith The Lord" today among singles because they're fully awake looking and checking out several sisters. Some brothers are doing a trial and error kind of thing asking out several sisters at the same. Some sisters have two to three brothers they keep at the same time with the intention of marrying the one that fits their spec. You can't get it right like that. Allow God put you in a state of deep "Sleep". It seems to me that those who got it right are those whose minds were not preoccupied with marriage but kingdom service and loving the Lord. God himself has a way of bringing the right man or woman your way in places, times and moments you least expect. Stop jumping from one singles deliverance meeting to the other, your problem isn't singleness. Can you focus your mind on God and His kingdom and live a normal life? Some singles are anxious to the point of depression and other health challenges. Why destroy yourself before the coming of your much awaited "Prince Charming?" God is the best match-maker. Anxiety is against the rules of this game. The journey starts with "Sleeping."