It's Friday Again Read online

has become really stuffy. The air is humid and contains the stench of sweat. The MC beckons those standing near the windows to open them to allow in some fresh air. He announces that it is now time to hear the sermon.

  We all cheer and applause as the pastor mounts the platform and moves behind the lectern. He signals the congregation to cease the ululation and take their seats. I am eager to here the message he has for us tonight; I hear, during fellowships, they invite outside preachers and the sermons are usually wow. In fact I’m savouring every bit of this fellowship. I can’t believe I’ve been too ignorant to miss such a wonderful experience.

  I now appreciate the essence of keshas and their power to drive out emptiness from one’s heart and put nourishment and fulfillment in its place. They give one a chance to move away from daily frustrations of this worldly life and draw themselves close to their creator and sustainer.

  “Praise God,” shouts the man of God.

  “Amen,” the congregation responds in unison.

  “I am most privileged to stand before you this wonderful evening that our Lord has blessed us with to share His living word. Hallelujah?”

  “Amen.”

  “We are going to discuss about top reasons why you should not get married.”

  The preacher pauses to allow what he’s just said to take effect on his congregation. As expected, the topic stirs mixed reactions among the audience; some seem confused, others amazed and the rest probably not sure how to react. Alfred looks thrilled, I can tell from the expression on his face – definitely the kind of message he needs in the presence of his lady. He turns to face Joan with a wide grin on his face. She’s certainly confused.

  “I am sure that this message dawns to you as an issue of controversy but the truth is, no matter how much the church would like to deny it, the marriage as we know it today is a direly threatened union. There is no need for the church to coax the flock to enter into marriages without having them first understand clearly what this thing really is.”

  “Why am I saying this? I am going to give you the reasons so that instead of entering into a marriage that is bound to wreck you decide otherwise while you still have the chance to make things right. First you have to understand that a Christine marriage is a lifetime commitment that comes with a multitude of responsibilities as well as benefits to be reaped. So, it is advisable that you gauge yourself first in order to determine whether you have the capacity to become a responsible husband or wife. Praise God church.”

  “Amen.”

  The clergyman goes ahead to outline reasons why one should not even think of getting married, let alone entering the matrimonial home itself. Everyone is very alert and eager to learn this seemingly strange message. Of course, no one has ever heard or even thought of such a sermon from any preacher. Where is he headed to by warning people about getting married yet since childhood we’ve been told to save ourselves for marriage as it is the pinnacle of life? I wonder.

  “Praise God. Reason number one why you should not marry is, if you understand and perceive marriage as a contract and not a covenant, then you should not marry…If you are not ready to fulfill your marital obligations, don’t get married. You will have to let go of your independence and autonomy of getting intimate when you want to and avoiding it when you are not in the mood. I warn you, when you get married, it means you have surrendered the power over your body to your spouse since you belong to them in a wedlock.”

  “If you want to dedicate your life to serving the Lord without distraction, then don’t get married…If you are a eunuch don’t marry since you have a role in marriage to satisfy your spouse’s sexual needs. Don’t get married until you have the right forensic understanding of what marriage is. Don’t marry for sexual pleasures, to please your parents, to bring forth children or to fulfill cultural obligations, but marry for the glory of God because marriage is sacred and comes from God.”

  “Finally, marriage is in a crisis in the world today – separations, divorces, devastations of spouses, suffering of children, shame on the extended families and so on. Don’t marry if you are certain you cannot avoid these crises…Let’s pray. Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we come unto thy presence this…”

  After the message I am not sure whether I would want to marry in future or not. The whole idea of marriage now downs on me as very complex and taxing. I am convinced that almost everybody else in the congregation feels the same way; a state of indecision. However, the love I have for my girl Esther and the promises we’ve made to each other clear the fears. After a comprehensive analysis I resolve that my darling and I have all it takes to make a successful work.

  Whatever has a beginning has an end too and this fellowship is no exception. Finally we disperse as we say the grace. Everybody is walking out quietly apparently lost in deep thought. We bid Joan goodbye and wish her a fabulous night then start for our cubicle in the student’s hall of residence three (Hall 3). I am not only blessed…but also refined.

  End