Trading Places: Would You Dare?


Fiction.

It is my decision. So I go inside. The inside of the building smells of a mixture of urine and other chemicals. The song playing in the background is from the 50s. I bob my head up and down, trying to remember the melody. But I don't remember. I shrug my shoulders like I don't care whether I remember or not, and start to find my way to the center of the crowd. After all, I was not born in the 50s.

On my way to the center, I notice a few things. I see two young guys with eccentric hairstyles from the 60s. The first guy is much darker in skin color than the second, but they are rocking the same type of fro' anyhow. The height of the fro' on the second guy's head is higher though, say as tall as the empire state building, only in centimeters. I nod to them and they nod back at me. Maybe I am welcome in this place.
.
As I go along, I notice a young woman sitting on the floor. She seems to be playing a musical instrument, maybe a flute. As I look a little bit closer, I realize that I am wrong. She is not playing a flute. She is smoking something from a personalized carved Korean pipe made of bamboo and metal. No one is disturbing her. The rest of the people are ignoring whatever it is she is smoking and they are minding their own business. So I do the same, I mind my own business. But I start to feel a little bit weird, like what in the world am I doing here?

I move even further to the center, where the major activity is. To my utter regret, I find lots of people at the center, heaped over each other like a sand cake. They seem to be laughing and shouting and enjoying themselves, I do not understand what for. The person at the bottom of the heap seems to be crying loudly for help though. Suddenly, I realize that this is not my place. I realize that I am not where I am supposed to be. So I turn around and change my mind. I begin to find my way out of this place. I make another decision. Yes, it was my decision to come here in the first place, but I know I also have the golden opportunity to trade places.

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

Many times we find out that we are not where we are supposed to be. All of a sudden, you wake up in the morning and go through the motions...again! You do what you're supposed to do without any feelings, without any passion.

But today, I'd like to announce something: you can definitely choose to trade places! If it seems like you are not in the center of God's will for your life, why don't you just get up and BE at the center? Oh, of course it is easier said than done. But the thing is that, it is possible. You can choose to be at the center of His will. You can 'choose' to begin to do what He has called you to do. It's only a matter of choice. But in the moment when you make this decision, there's something I know that can be your helpful guide: the Word of God (as written in the Bible). It has helped me before, and is still helping me as I write today. Let this word be a lamp unto your feet...and guide you in the right direction.

"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

Photo by Photobucket

PS: I hope this post has made you think deeply about where you are now and where you really want to be. Other news: Guess what's hot in blogsville guys? The Blogger awards are going on right now and The Light Her Lamp blog has the opportunity to be a first time nominee for some categories...go ahead and check out the awards, and make sure you vote too :) Be blessed!!!

http://naijabloggersaward.blogspot.com/

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Needed to hear this... Have been thinking along this lines for a few weeks now.. thx for sharing....
already voted for the most inspiring blog!!!!

Mrs.O said...

This piece is quite interesting and inspiring.
I would certainly vote you too.

Anonymous said...

You said something that struck me..."All of a sudden, you wake up in the morning and go through the motions...again!"

We sometimes let life live us...when it should be the other way round...living life...

No psyches...you're an inspiration!

Straight from the heart said...

Food for thought, I love the way you wrote the story.
We only have one life and the sooner we find out God's will for our lives the better we will be for it. walking in God's will is what makes all the difference.

Your writtings are always a blessing.

Unknown said...

Dear Father
Bless Jaycee for this post

**touched**

Vera Ezimora said...

Jaycee, I really love this. Been praying to God for a change in jobs. I don't wanna say I hate my job, but God.... I'm sick of it.

Thanks, darling

Omo Oba said...

On reading the story, what came to my mind was the song "everything" by lifehouse. We are called out of this world yet being accepted is a need for many...

Beulah! said...

This is it!...this is the encouragement i need. God bless u Jaycee

Anonymous said...

Jayceeeeee,

"...again! You do what you're supposed to do without any feelings, without any passion."

I have one question, just one question? When is the book out? or am I missing something here?

Simply inspiring. I said it once, I am announcing it again - YOU ROCK. Very talented. Thanks for not wasting it.

God bless.

laspapi said...

Great words, Jaycee

laspapi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kafo said...

i like how you started by saying
FICTION

just in case we were wondering

but yeah
i've had this feeling before

my once and only trip to a club, it wasn't my wish to go a friend was having a birthday party and i didn't have my car so after the party i had to go and it was just like
OH MY WORD what am i doing here

La Reine said...

I have all kinds of love for you and your blog right now.

Keep it up.

-Where do I vote...?

Writefreak said...

As usual Jaycee...you got me thinking! Like how you linked the fiction and fact...
I choose to walk in the centre of God's will for my life- Amen

How're you doing? and the mr?

The Activist said...

Thank you Jaycee. This is so meaningful to me. BTW pls we need to get down with something if I dont send you an email by 2mrw can you contact me at tadonline@gmail.com?

Giagerry said...

Just what i needed to see/read. Sometimes this world really makes things of God look impossible, war everywer, sex in all places, drugs and all sorts and sometimes we see we begin to adjust and condone these ungodly things(so we find ourselves in the "wrong places"). At such times its left for us to quickly realise that that is not his will for us and then step back into his will again. Like u said its not easy but it is soooo possible and I believe im a living testimony!

Bibi said...

very insightful and inspirational. good one. FIRST TIMER

~Sirius~ said...

As always..... your post doing what it should.

Can I say a little prayer for you?

*May the Good Lord be with you at all times, May He grant you your heart desires, and May His love never depart from you.

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Sometimes it just won't do, unless you are really in His will. How I am reminded that trully that is the best place to be. Have an awsome weekend, and hope you win the awards. Off to check it out.

The poets voice ~~~ said...

Thanx for sharing this! I totally agree with 'No-limits'... we sometimes let life live us when we should be living life.
It's not that we want it that way, it just happens and we find ourselves suddenly in the middle of a world where we don't belong- a total misfit!

But God's light is always there to direct our feet back to the place of His will...It all works out once we make that one decision to trade places!

Jaycee..God bless u.Have a lovely weekend (",).

Unknown said...

temptation everywhere i go...
God help me...
i love your blog....

Unknown said...

temptation everywhere i go...
God help me...
i love your blog....

Kémi Penélopê said...

God definitely knows how to speak to His Child through different way...just like this post...

This is same thing that has echoed in my ears throughout the weekend (from My pastor...to Preachers on the TV) so I guess that is what God has to share with me this Week...

"God help us to trade places with what is Your will for our lives, Amen..."

*Sssh! don't tell anyone but I vote for you (*wink)

Olufunke said...

true talk!
I pray God would help me trade places ....so I would be in His will for my life.
Thanks!

Buttercup said...

wow..this struck a chord..

u didnt win the most inspiring blogger award for nothing!

Paul said...

uno its jst so hard attimes2follow baba God.....so hard ...i luv him alot but im jst a jacob plus peter..i want2corespond wit u wellsbaba@gmail.com holla@me

Anonymous said...

Needed to read this again!!! I should just print it off I guess...