MY TREASURED DESIRE

Chapter SIXTEEN: Looking Up To The Cross!

Dr. Reese’s P.O.V.

The Holy Place, Nri City, Africa.

The thought of the seriously tall, huge, formidable, and colourful cross that emits bright lights lingered on in my memory… I realised that most of the brightness that illuminates that environment as if it were in the noon, emanates from that 164 and a half feet high, solid cross. Dr. Alex Junior told me it is exactly 50 meters high, now I see… It was awesome! We have passed the smooth ground with well-paved gardens into the well-tended green lawn that leads to a brownish looking, large, beautiful, sculpted gate that opened as Alex’s foot touched the red, exceptionally long foot mat that covered the width of the sculpted inner gate. The scenery exposed by the opened door was unique; the scent was as natural as that of a garden of roses; the array of seats was aesthetically calm. I touched the natural leather on the thick, plum, and comfy sofa… and I looked up to admire the pure white pillars draped with the finest floral beauty I had ever seen within the confines of a hall. The aisle of the 5000-capacity air-conditioned hall was wide with pure red carpet on the floor, and the aura around the place was ambient and esoteric. My head swells as I look straight ahead to see the altar, filled with identical thrones and a marble table at the centre… On the marble table, were worship elements like the seven candlesticks on a diamond-studded seven-headed metal candle stand, Diamond-studded Bible Stand, bearing a white, giant-sized Holy Bible – all aesthetically arranged… The backdrop showed another – but smaller and more – colourful and vividly fascinating Cross that emits bright lights which illuminates the whole Auditorium… I got the answers! This is the Church in the Palace, a place so comfortable to be, welcoming to new-comers, rich in outlook, and peaceful in its appearance. Darkness has no place to hide here: Just as the LORD Jesus Christ’s glory illuminates the hearts of His believers, the cross hanging behind the altar illuminates the auditorium!

A youngish-looking, tall, blue-eyed, handsome Priest with smart moustache and smooth beard, with his blonde hair parted in the middle, appeared from the Chancel and moved towards us, smiling. His appearance is enthralling. He glowed in my eyes, and I was scared for a moment. Alex bowed, while Ndidi went down on her knees… The Priest was dressed in a long white cassock, three-quarter covered with a white damask chasuble. A golden chain with a smart, golden cross pendant shone like precious metals into my eyes as he came nearer. I could not see his feet. He gently used his white, right hand to take the hand of Alex and afterwards, Ndidi – who took turns to kiss his right signet ring finger – and then he spoke:

“Alex, Alexa… And My Dear Daughter Reese, I welcome you all!”

I wondered how ‘the hallowed Priest with the smooth voice’ could determine that I would be the much talked about ‘Reese’! But I knelt on the soft red carpet and took his cool hand. I kissed that right finger with the Episcopal Ring, and I felt a strange shiver all around my spines… The pains I had been nurturing after the attack I had faced before coming to Africa just started disappearing. I was virtually jerking, and making hard efforts in stopping myself from screaming… I did a great job of that! And he raised me up afterwards.

The awe-inspiring Priest - who reminds me of the Popular face of the Christian Risen Lord that we see on artistic impressions and photos in different places - whispered into my ears: “Christ Jesus had just healed all those bones, nerves and ligaments… The broken rib that you were hiding all along is also restructured… Thank You, Jesus: All glory to God, Almighty! Now… That is one of the reasons why Alexa calls this Holy Place, ‘her favourite part of the Palace!’” Then, he smiled warmly.

I was genuinely happy… And I whispered back: “O Yes… I can now see why! I am so grateful to God!”

He gestured that we follow his direction to a door near the extreme side of the Chancel. The door led to a very spacious and beautiful corridor leading to his gracefully decorated Oval Office. He led us to a huge executive table that has about FOUR Guest Swivel Chairs, facing the bishop’s throne-like Seat across the table. He waited for us to sit before he stood between that Executive Throne Seat and the Table, Praying for us. He sat, eventually. It was then, that I noticed that another Priestly young Man had been with us all the while. The bishop introduced him as his chaplain before the younger Priest took his seat behind the Bishop’s Official Seat… a smaller – but still imposing - version of the one on which the bishop sat.

The Bishop’s Secretary appeared in a jiffy and humbly served each one of us – including the Bishop and the Chaplain - with natural fruit juices in large mugs, leaving us to choose which of the fruits’ variance is each soul’s preference. She placed peanuts, digestive biscuits, and grilled meat on the table for each one of us. She also left sets of cutleries, transparent wine glasses with serviette papers before us… as she disappeared again.

The bishop looked at me intensely after I poured myself the Strawberry juice and said: “Congratulations on your safe arrival in Africa after the brief encounter with those assassins. You were empowered to deal with them as you left them broken, in Achaia… Why did you refuse to make use of the planned escort, opting to find your way to the Airport? All glory to God… But don’t opt to be a heroine when you can play safe, anymore… Please!”

I was shocked. “I did not tell anyone about my experience on my way to the airport,” I told myself in the subconscious.

“Yeah, you didn’t,” the bishop said softly, with a wry smile. “But, as I was praying for the safety of our Guests, I was made to see your situation... Those intruders were not ordinary. They exuded the murderous aura since they were sent on a coded mission to decimate you so that Alex may not see you again, talk less of proposing to you… They hate to let any alliance happen, that will offer future assistance to your future Emperor.”

“But having no axe to grind with anyone, why did the assassins come after me, Sir?” I could not help but ask –

“The Ruling Family of Middleville, which is jealous of Achaia, wishes to seek your hand in marriage to their Ambassador to the UK. Through this act, they hoped to wrest power from the Achaian Crown Prince. They had already failed to impose the niece of their Monarch for your big brother to marry. Hence, they would be devastated if they lose in your case. The plan is against the future of Achaia, but God has planned to judge them... But only their ruler will be spared, for now. They have no intention to harm the present Emperor or his son, the King… Did you reject the amorous advances of a Middleville Leader, two years ago? That failed suitor will be decimated while they make their evil coup…”

“It is true that I rejected the advances of a prominent Middleville Leader, Sir,” I could vividly remember the long procession – and the colourful paparazzi - that visited my grandfather’s palace for my hand in marriage two years ago… But it was never in the News – I made sure of that! “However, I was accused - by the Imperial Defence Counsellor - of rejecting the will of Buddha!”

Dr. Alex Junior and his sister were shocked. They never knew about that incident. I saw the query on their faces, so I said: “Beloved, that matter was inconsequential… I had discarded it and has kept its records in the archives of forgotten history!”

Ndidi made her witty remark, “Watch your sense of diplomatic leadership… You counted a very serious matter of War as inconsequential, Baby Girl?”

The bishop raised his right hand a little above the table to motion for stillness… “Not all matters could be solved with strong will, though you did well in this one… Some members of your Imperial Council have complicity in this highly diplomatic matter. The accomplice in this matter died mysteriously in the temple of Buddha but was buried like a hero. And another deceiver in the same mould replaced him!”

I opened my mouth agape as if my heart just fell into my stomach! The only guy who died in the temple and was so buried was my Father’s favourite General – the same Imperial Defence Counsellor - who was the doyen of Military Law and Strategies in Asia before his demise. His entire family died in mysterious circumstances after that burial, last year. I had to nod in approval without saying any further words. This Priest must be a Celestial Spirit: That Christian LORD?! But he replied to me as if he had heard all my thoughts:

“I am sorry, Reese, I only see, and reveal what God allows me to say, it makes no Celestial Spirit out of me. But it helps me to contribute the mind of God to my friends’ sojourn… I thank God for allowing me to be an instrument to reveal His Will for you! Reese, may God grant you the grace to make the best use of the advantage of meeting your Mister Right – That is, Alex… Your future is bright, and your Kingdoms will be blessed for it… Get closer to Your Maker, Young People, and the sky will be too low to be your limit!”

“Thank You, Milord,” Alex’s face shone like that of a fulfilled King. “I guess I am so lucky to find my missing rib too…”

“Your meeting is to my advantage. Teamwork pays off!” Ndidi tried to crack her usual dry joke, knowing that she offered no assistance to make this courtship begin. But, surprisingly, Alex and Reese smiled in agreement with EnDee's joke. The Bishop nodded with a serious face, and added a word:

“Precisely. There is a need for Alex and Reese to be united to draw Alexa’s Groom to her… Teamwork? Just the point…”

“Oh, Papa? Where is my groom that would be drawn here due to my best friend and my brother’s relationship?” Ndidi seems confused.

“Your Spouse is alone now... He would be the reason for you to leave Africa and return to England before your planned two-month holiday! Even the universe will speak to you when you want to be stubborn, Alexa. But I pray that none of you will get the wrong spouse afterwards. Pray against ‘fake partners’… Alexa, you must act like Reese soon, so that you would not marry your enemy. A seemingly unimportant looking suitor is going to change your life for the better: Refuse to be unnecessarily touchy over small things, daughter. Do not prayerlessly judge anyone, but remain godly, accommodating, and humble… I have seriously interceded for you, daughter… Stay closer to your God – all of you – so that things will work in the positive realm for us all.” Will that be the bishop’s final word? No. He has much more:

“Please, never you ignore your Bible… Give your lives to Christ, first, and the ‘mother of all successes’ will become a slave to you… The Almighty God supports what Paul “Rafe” Refior, Esquire, said in his ‘FIVE RULES of Communication Between Christian Spouses,’ as he even noted that his five rules fall into the categories of EASIER SAID THAN DONE divine guides of life… Do you want to know these rules?”

The three youths nodded in unison. And the Cleric continued:

“The rules will help you to obey the LORD of the Universe and please Him as a means of blessing and pleasing your spouse. You will then be able to improve and deepen your relationship with your spouse. Most of the commands of the scripture apply to all – with only a few of them being limited to just spouses and marriage.”

Reese was beginning to enjoy the Session. “Tell us, Sir,” she said excitedly.

“Rule Number ONE: Always Speak the Truth to Your Spouse.” The bishop opened his Bible for the very first time since they arrived. “Ephesians 4: 15 counsels you to speak the truth in love; Ephesians 4: 25-29 asks you to ‘put away falsehood, speak the truth to your neighbour.’ In Colossians 3: 9, the scripture says you must not lie to one another. Exodus 20:16 and Leviticus 19: 11 refer to the Commandment of God that admonishes mankind never to bear fake witness against anyone. Lying is evil (Psalm. 34:13) and the LORD detests lying lips while He delights in humans who are truthful. Lying is abomination to God (Proverbs 12:22). So, TRUTH saves your life!”

Alex wants to know more, So, he asked: “What should be the content of our conversation with our spouses?”

“That is incidentally the Rule Number TWO: Always speak to your spouse to edify, help and encourage… Let your word build up and enrich your spouse (Romans 14:19; Ephesians 5:19; Proverbs 10:11; 12:25b; 18:21a). If the treasure of your heart is good, you will produce good reports (Luke 6:45). Guard your mouth, to preserve your life (Proverbs 13:3, 1 Peter 3: 9). Timely word is good (Proverbs 15:23; Psalm 71:8…) Never speak harshly to your spouse and never cut down or say mean words about your spouse (Proverbs 11: 22; 29:11; 1 Timothy 5: 13b; James 4:11; 5:9; Galatians 5:15…) Speak wisely when you are communicating with your spouse (Psalm 37:30; Ecclesiastes 10:12; Proverbs 15:2; 10:31; Colossians 3:16).”

Ndidi added that one should only speak when he or she is in control of his / her mind. And the Bishop admitted that it is ONE of the FIVE RULES.

“Let that be our Rule Number THREE: Speak Only When You Are in Control of your Emotions… (Proverbs 18:21; 1 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 141:3; Ephesians 6:45; Proverbs 29:20; Galatians 5:22-26); By first controlling your mind, heart, and thoughts, you will be able to control your speech (Philippians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 10: 5b). Never raise your voice in anger or hostility towards your spouse… Consciously and deliberately control your countenance, voice modulation, tone, and meaning of your expressions when speaking with your spouse.”

Reese suddenly asked: “What is the position of Christianity in the need to honour the womenfolk. I can see that even when the Jews count humans, they have disregard for Women and children.”

Ndidi added: “If this is addressed somewhere in Papa’s speech, can we make that our Number FOUR?”

“O Yes. Be deliberately respectful and calm when listening to your spouse, irrespective of the gender factor… Let your communication be a discussion, not a monologue. Read Proverbs 18:13,17; 15:28. Give your undivided attention to your spouse and his / her speeches. Listen to understand, not to criticise. Always attribute good and valid motives to your spouse – Give him or her the benefit of the doubt. Note 1st Corinthians 13:3-8. Study about love. Always give respect and courtesy to your spouse’s speeches. And finally…” The bishop looked at the three youths quizzically, touching the left side of his temple:

“This one deals with your discretion and discernment… You must be humble to succeed with this Number FIVE Rule: Be very discerning of when it is best to shut up… and then, shut your mouth (Proverbs 17:28; James 1:19, Proverbs 10:19; Ecclesiastes 5:2). A wise man holds back his spirit from venting (releasing the expression of their strong emotions that may break what they have always been building up) - Proverbs 29:11… A word is enough for the wise!”

The bishop prayed for us, as he ensured we ate the snacks before we left the Holy Place.