STRANGE MESSAGE

 

A strange number sent a message to me yesterday.

Not just a strange number but also a stranger. 

He claimed he was someone I had met years ago while transacting in a network marketing venture.

He claimed he needed money to bury his late dad. He claimed he had transported his dad from Abuja to the East, and the bills for the burial rites were overwhelming.

Upon inquiry, sender couldn’t verify or clarify the details of the situation described in the message. 

They rambled on with “how can I lie with something like this” yet they yielded no details whatsoever about the said event—no location, no date, nada. 

Last person with similar message (whom I know) had sent a flyer with verifiable details and it met with a favorable response (though I didn’t verify).

Obviously, the message below met with a no-show.

Just yesterday. And then just today, the ‘algo’ specifically sent a video—recently uploaded (uploaded only a few hours from when I saw it)—my way.

It was a short-form video of a pastor cut out from a message in which he was saying he sponsors people to school even if he doesn’t know them, and also angrily stating something like: If you can’t help or give to people because you don’t know them, you’re a poor man.” 

I agree. I also help and give to strangers. Sure!

But then I chuckled quietly as I remembered this strange message below and part of my response to sender, which included: I don’t know you. 

Coincidence or clap-back? You figure. You judge.

But it seems they focused on that part and ignored the fact that they couldn’t provide needed clarity or confirmation of the unverified information from a stranger invading one’s space with such request.

There are other similar and dissimilar (some more obvious, some more subtle) instances indicative of foul play, bias, targeting, stalking and harassment.

These are the type of people who hack and track, and plant and position, and do all sorts of mischief to unwholesome and selfish and unChristlike ends.

They have hidden agenda and it’s not good or true.

Church leaders must be discerning about the folks who form too much activity (joining many service groups, showing themselves everywhere in church) yet have no strong spiritual life or hunger for God.

Especially those who like to be in control or who seek lead positions or critical positions in church.

Also particularly media, technology, social media or online things. Although they permeate everywhere.

They work to erode or douse the spiritual fervor and fire of believers.

I’ve noticed a thing or two fishy things and it’s not just with one church, or one platform, or one time.

Some of these people ‘use’ church leaders and pastors messages to indirectly fight people they don’t like.

Such as, deliberately cutting part of a pastor’s video message and directing it at a person.

You can pick the signal. 

You can see the signature especially if you have also dealt with them firsthand and face-to-face.

Some very crooked individuals who are close to or who can access these leaders will use evil report, lies, lopsided words, twisted facts, gossip and all manner of evil tales to turn the leaders, or friends, and potential allies against anyone they do not like.

But not just in the church. Even in businesses.

I have experienced such sneaky saboteurs in telcos, restaurants, supermarkets, sales/service shops, financial institutions, and even with artisans.

Na their job—full time or part time. 

And na job—if you know what it means.

Anyways, God knows best.

My simple prayer: 

May God expose and eliminate any dubious worker in church who is an undercover agent of criminals/daredevils, or is intentionally turning anyone away from God, or is conspiring against or being used against any person who is sincerely coming to the church for genuine fellowship and service of God.