Elder Femi uses every slight opportunity to slight Pastor and also enlist more members to his camp. It was Sunday morning. One of the church members came late . The packing lot inside the church compound was already filled so he resorted to parking his car outside. As he was doing that, elder Femi saw him. It was a golden opportunity to enlist him in his camp.

“Johnson, why are you parking your car outside?”

“Good morning sir, there is no space inside the church compound.”

“What of that space?” he pointed to the place that pastor parks his car. “Can’t you keep your car there?”

“The security personnel said that the space is for pastor’s car.”

“And you listened to him. Please bring your car in. after all, Pastor went out with his car. If he should come back and discover that your car is parked outside and there is space inside the church, he will never be happy. Please quickly do as I said. Pastor will not come back till the end of service.”

Johnson was not willing to do what elder Femi told him. But after some painstaking effort, he managed to cajole and convince him to park the car at the pastor’s parking lot.

“Thanks so much elder, I will do as you have instructed.

Few minutes later, Pastor came back. He quickly stepped out that morning to check on a member who was sick. Elder Femi was aware. His action was to cause confusion. When Pastor noticed that there was no space for him to park his car inside the church compound, he quickly searched for a space outside the church and parked his car. He never complained. However elder Kehinde noticed what happened. He was not happy about it so he called the attention of Johnson after church service.

“Good day brother, something happened today that I am not really happy with. I am so disappointed that you could do such a thing.”

“Elder I don’t understand. What did I do?” Johnson queried.

“The security personnel told me that you were advised not to take over the pastor’s parking lot but you refused. You went ahead to park your car there. Few minutes afterwards the man of God came back and was searching for a place to park his car. That we have a father who endures and tolerates our excesses does not mean that we should take him for granted. I never expected such attitude from you. The truth is that Pastor will never complain but we should try to honour him. He is our father in the Lord.”

“Elder please hear me out before you condemn me. I am really sorry for my action. I never intentionally demeaned the man of God. I will never do such thing. I was late to church. As I was driving in, the security personnel informed me that all the spaces are filled up. He also informed me that the only space remaining was for Pastor. I found myself a place outside and was parking my car when elder Femi came to meet me.

He convinced me that Pastor would not be happy if he should notice that the space is left empty, especially that they knew that he was not coming till after church service. I am so sorry sir; please forgive me.”

“It’s okay brother”

Johnson quickly re-parked his car and went to meet elder Femi.

“Elder please don’t be offended. Why did you lead me astray? You made me to park my vehicle in a space meant for Pastor when you knew that he was coming back soon.”

“Johnson, I see you as someone that know your right, don’t disappoint me. Is Pastor having two heads?

Why will a special space be reserved for him even when he is not around? I know that one of those lousy elders might have come to confront you. Don’t mind them. I am solidly behind you. I will tell them to their face that I sent you. You are a man. Don’t allow anyone to intimidate you,” elder Femi told him.

“Elder please I want to really understand you. Are you telling me that you truly know that Pastor was on his way coming, yet you encouraged me to take over where he was supposed to park his car?” Johnson asked in shock.

“Let me ask you. Who really owns this church, is it Pastor or members. I knew how much you contributed towards the buying of the church property and even the erection of the church auditorium. Where was Pastor then? He was somewhere enjoying himself. I don’t like people that love reaping where they did not sow. In my opinion, if there is any one that deserves a special parking lot in this church, it is you. Read my lips. It is you.”

“Haa! This is evil. Elder I’m sorry to say this, you are evil. It is quite unfortunate that you are an elder in the church of God. I wonder how many people you have deceived. Please I want to beg you. Do not include me in your evil agenda. Please don’t try it next time.”

Johnson walked away in anger.

“This one is real mumu. A fool at forty,” elder Femi mocked.

After the encounter with Johnson, elder kehinde confronted elder Femi. He was sitting outside the church auditorium when elder Kehinde walked up to him.

I met Johnson to ask why he decided to take over a space that is reserved for Pastor to park his car.

He told me that you sent him. Why did you do such thing?” elder Kehinde asked.

Elder suddenly sprang up and snapped, “What kind of stupid question is that?” He felt that the question was a huge insult to him.

Who is asking stupid question?” elder Kehinde asked.

“Who else but you. Why would you ask me such a senseless question? If you are wise, the first step would have been to find out if I really sent him.” His eyes were full of contempt.

“Why should I seek to find out the obvious? Your activities are not hidden. Even if he did not mention your name, I will know that you are the one.

You have chosen to make yourself an enemy of peace.You hardened your heart and allowed the devil to be using you against the church. You have turned yourself to gate of Hedis. But be warned, you cannot prevail against the church of Christ.”

Elder Femi stared at him furiously. “Can you imagine? What is bringing about this level of insult? I don’t blame you. I know that you have swallowed hook. Why should I even waste my time arguing with a woman? You are not man enough. You cannot take a decision on your own without somebody pushing you about. I pity you,” he mocked.

“You are right. I am being pushed. However, it is not man but Holy spirit. He tells me what to do, reveals to me the sanctity of the house of God and how to comport myself.

Taught me how to honour his servant, so that it will be well with me. Any man that has truly surrendered his life to Christ does not live by himself. You may decide to live your life in a particular manner but the spirit of God will make you shift ground. However any man that feels too big. You know it all that even the servant of God cannot talk to you. Whatever you said is final, you really need to examine your life to know if actually you have repented. One of the characteristics of a true child of God is humility. The truth is bitter but it has to be told. Femi, you have not encountered Christ . You are just in church deceiving yourself. Please, repent and be converted,” elder Kehinde warned him.

“Why am I even wasting time with a lousy fellow like you? A wretched man. If not for your wife, hunger would have killed you. Common taxi driver. ” He walked away in anger.