Dead Things, Not Dead People:


Khulekani's room smelled of sweet Caribbean salsa. Her mother had once given her a clay pot filled with African spices, but she preferred the Caribbean salsa...it reminded her of the time she spent in St. Lucia, and the smell of the beach and other aromatic spices. Her room was lovely. It had three dainty photographs hung up on the wall in a diagonal manner. On the right, she had her own little sanctuary: a lime green sofa in front of a little TV, and a small side-table with a lime colored vase filled with tall green and white sweet alysum plants, shipped from Southern Europe. On the left was her luxurious bed with the canopy drapes in front of them, British style.

There seemed to be a clear sense of normalcy and serenity, that everything was alright and blossomy. But there was something wrong. It was not alright outside the window. In that very moment of time, if you decided to stand in front of her window, you would see Khulekani standing right there, outside in the rain without a raincoat. And you would notice that she was trying to defy time, to stop the clock's hands from turning. Any time soon, the thrash collectors would come with their big old ugly truck, to carry away the left-overs of the entire neighborhood. So there she was, stalling for time. There she was, unloading everything she had thrashed last night...looking for her precious diary. She must have thrown it out by mistake. No, not her secret diary, the story of her life! Her world was different from the one in the diary, and she did not want her true self to die. She needed to find it. She didn't want that part of her to die with the truck that was coming soon.

But she never really found it...although she knew it was no longer in her room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Three days ago I read about the man who wanted to follow Jesus. The problem was that he really wanted to go back and bury his father who had died, you know, pay him his last respect. And I saw nothing wrong in that, and truly there is nothing wrong with wanting to do that, if you think about it. But the next statement which came from Jesus was very shocking, "Let the dead bury their own dead, you follow me."
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Now, I understand why He said what He said. He said that so we could get a lesson or two from that picture. It's not that we should not physically bury our dead (because it is important that we do), but that we should leave those things which have died alone. There are some things that die, even when we are trying to revive them. There are some destinies, visions, and thoughts that die...even when we are putting all our hopes in them. Today, I want you to know that because a part of you is dead does not mean that the whole of you is dead. Because something you really wanted is no longer possible does not mean your future is bleak. Dead things are not equal to dead people. You don't need to die just because something precious is dead.

That being said, I pronounce "life" upon you today. You woke up this morning, didn't you? So, I praise God for your life right now. I praise Him for your destiny. If God allowed something to die, it means He wants something else to live in you. He has the power to resurrect what has died, doesn't He? So just let the dead go and follow God. If He wants to resurrect those things that have died, it would only be in the blink of an eye. Remember the story of Lazarus who died and Jesus resurrected after three days? So, live large and live big with what you have right now. Oh, and don't forget to praise & worship your Maker while you're at it. Lol.
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I have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly (John 10:10)

Photo copyright: Lost in Dreams by Gittiart (redbubble)

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

If God allowed something to die, it means He wants something else to live in you.

Reminds me of the NIV rendition of Jonah 2:8 in a way... Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the Grace that could be theirs!

Jennifer A. said...

Hey Danny...wow, I love that rendition...the way it is written! I think all of us should learn how to cling to God's grace more, rather than cling to our worthless idols...yup! :) How's you day going?

Anonymous said...

Day's been splendid so far... Thanks for sharing this stuff as usual..

~Sirius~ said...

Wow...
"we should leave those things which have died alone"

This says it all....
Funny how obvious it sounds right now, but I guess when you keep digging the tunnel and there's no light at the end you keep hoping....
I love how Danni rephrased it.

Thanks Jaycee...As always.
And Amen! to that prayer.

Kémi Penélopê said...

This summarizes my week for me; the desk calendar spoke to me, my daily meditation spoke to me and then you? No, this is definitely not coincident; God is surely speaking to me through these different signs.
I know it can be so hard letting go of what coulda woulda or shoulda but it is time to let the trash collectors take it.

God bless you, Jaycee for sharing…

olusimeon said...

so things just hav to die for some to live....
no need sermonizing again jare..
bless you jaycee..true words..

Mrs.O said...

Wow! revelation right there.
Amen!!

Remi, United Kingdom said...

lol @ Simeone re "no sermoninzing"

As usual, Jaycee, thanks for sharing.

Yes, something has to die, for something else to live. Jesus died, so that we might live.

Daily we must die to the flesh - or like my ma will say "Kill it, kill it" for us to live daily in God's will.

Okay my sermonizing don over :-)

Simeone, I dey borrow that one oh.

Much love xx

Kafo said...

It's not that we should not physically bury our dead (because it is important that we do), but that we should leave those things which have died alone. There are some things that die, even when we are trying to revive them.

WOW
i have to come back
and read this again
just so i can write a sermon on it

simeone don't be mad at mii oooo

but this message needs to be preached


HOT

Kafo said...

okay i am going to leave now and stop listening to these two songs over and over

bye

Lolia said...

You make my day with all your posts you know that right?

Thanks for yet another wake-up call and Amen to your prayer!

xx

Rebirth said...

"becausea part of u is dead doesnt mean the whole of you is dead".........

i needed to hear that.... thanx

Robyn.K.Y said...

death has levels.
hey you ever think of publishing short stories.
How are you?

Olufunke said...

I receive life!
I appreciate JB pointing us to Jonah 2:8, I need to let go and let God.
Thanks, God bless you.

doug said...

I'm so glad I read this. I have been doing this very thing: "There are some things that die, even when we are trying to revive them" for while.

I asked a christian friend for advice and she said "what are you afraid of losing?" what if what you're holding onto is lost already.

Thanks Jaycee.

doug said...

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the Grace that could be theirs!"

I shall keep that in mind DB

olusimeon said...

@ kafo.. i concur

Anonymous said...

So what is a "naija lady" then?

Anonymous said...

Very deep!

Ted A. Brooks said...

Just to say hello and I agree live large and live big right now. God's universe is limitless and today is my first day in the blogging universe and it's amazing the paths I've found.
Angel Blessings

Jennifer A. said...

Danny...glad u were having a splendid day yesterday...that's pretty cool. We just dey gbadun that Jonah bible quote wey u give us o...:)

Sirius...the funny thing is that "it is not that we should not hope," because nothing pleases God more than a child that has such GREAT FAITH, or even faith as small as a mustard seed. But when that hope begins to deter and affect our daily lives in a negative way, then there would be a serious problem with what we're hoping for. So, we must keep hoping against all odds, even without seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...but we must NEVER let it affect our daily activities. Say for instance, a woman living in shadows because she's hoping for something...when there's another door of opportunity that seems like she could embrace "for the time being," at least until the right time for her to receive what she has been hoping for comes her way. LOLLL...see this long epistle o. I apologize. Lol.

Jennifer A. said...

Kemi Penelop...tell me about it!!! It's hard, but what can we do? We must allow the thrash collectors do their dirty jobs, abeg! How are you doing dearie? *cyber hug* :)

Simeone...lol @ no sermonizing...Kafo and Remi have something to say to u about that. But I get it o, my broda. So how are things at ur end na?

Mjay...I echo your sentiments exactly...:)

Remi...LOLL @ your ma, "Kill it, kill it." There's this quote I learnt: "I want to die to myself to 0% so that I can live in Christ 100%."

Kafo...Kai, I'm sure that sermon would be hot...because you have a crazy imaginative and creative mind...hmmm...

Funms...yes, I'm glad u heard it! God is not finished with you yet. At all! Thank God you've heard the word now...:)

Robyn...I just like the way you said, "death has all levels." One sentence says it all... (publishing short stories? Yup...I have...he he)

Olufunke...don't we all, dear? Don't we all? We all need to let go of various empty fragments of our lives...

Doug...wow. I am SO glad u read this! Thank God that He speaks to us in little ways, here & there.

Chris...lol...naija lady is just a nickname from my country of origin! :)

Olubern...thanks boo. Lol. Didn't know u came to read...

Ted...wow, u've just embarked on a new wonderful journey, I tell ya! Lol. It's amazing. Welcome...and yeah, ditto...God's universe is indeed LIMITLESS!!!

The poets voice ~~~ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The poets voice ~~~ said...

I love this post!: a part of my dream dying does not mean my whole future is dead...

God works in mysterious ways afterall, one door closes so that another can open.

That door was taken completely out of the picture so it wouldn't be a distraction to you serving him and fulfilling your destiny!


have a fantastic weekend!

Parakeet said...

Again this is awesome...am glad am reading this after spending last night it in the presence of God and it just reinforces God's promises for me.

Alter Ego said...

True talk - If we only knew when to let it die and when to fight to keep it alive, what a difference it would make!

Afrobabe said...

Been a while I read something like this from you babes...

One of my fav posts...you always seem to show the corrolation between rel life and bible...make it relatable...

James said...

Never did get that scripture.Thanks for throwing light on it.Great piece.

Shubby Doo said...

"Let the dead bury their own dead, you follow me."

i 2 never did understand that...well i had a sense of what it meant but you put it across much clearer.

"If God allowed something to die, it means He wants something else to live in you. "

thank u for this Jaycee

p.s
sorry i've been a stranger to these parts. hope u are good sha!!!

O'Dee said...

letting go of what has died, so other things in me can live.

There's a song, "I speak life", i love it a lot, cant remember who sang it.

Giagerry said...

jaycee this is wonderful, like i really need to understand that bible passage.
good revelation jaycee!
dont even kno y i waited so long to read this.lol

Hadassah said...

"So, live large and live big with what you have right now. Oh, and don't forget to praise & worship your Maker while you're at it."

nice Post!

Lady A said...

My mom always say that scripture, "let the dead bury the dead." I know I struggled with it cuz I didn't know the meaning...long story short, I got the relvetion...they are dead in spirit...not born again. We have no excuse to witness to others for we have the light of Christ in us and our spirit is alive and well.

How you been?

Unknown said...

You do something to me!


You bring God's word in season.
Bless you!