Thy Will, Not Mine

Chapter {29} Destiny

"Oh, I forgot that the pastor only speaks Italian," my best friend muttered beside me after screaming out her own awkward 'Ciao'.

"I say take it as a learning experience both spiritually and educationally, and on the brighter side, today is your blessed day because here comes the translator," I smiled at her as a smile replaced her scrowl as soon as she watched another translator with pair of glasses sliding down his nose and slacks that looked a size bigger for him but you know what I loved about the church community? The love.

Nobody dared to laugh at him or raise a judgemental brow but they all had a spark of love in their eyes and I could tell you that from the very beginning, they did not judge according to appearance but judged righteous judgement which I adored about this specific church.

"I am so delighted to see you all here, on this very important day!" The young translator swiftly said in his smooth English accent, "Thousands of years ago, this was the day our Saviour conquered death and rose once more to life, can I get an amen!"

"Amen!" The enthusiasm in all of us could be heard and seen a million miles away.

"Before we begin, I would like to quote a scripture and our wonderful choir will sing a beautiful hymn for us." The pastor, dressed in a white fitted suit that seemed to fit perfectly with the theme of the day, which was repentance for all our sins through the death of Christ and glorifying the Lord for his sacrifice, paged through his Bible.

As usual, I held the program in my hands and today it took on a different look, the illustrations held so much meaning from the three crosses to the rising Sun in the horizon. It was perfect in a way.

"Sono sicuro che tutti conosciamo questo versetto Giovanni 3:16, poiché Dio ha tanto amato la parola che ha dato il suo unigenito figlio in modo che chiunque crede in lui non perisca ma abbia la vita eterna, ma oggi ha molto significato," the pastor said moving from his podium, interrupting my stare down with the paper.

"I'm sure we are all familiar with this verse John 3:16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life but today it holds a lot of meaning." The translator reiterated moving with the pastor and they paused for a short moment as the sound of the thin pages of the Bible being turned was all that could be heard but my ears and eyes were only focused on the pastor and my interest also peeked when I found that Giovanni actually meant John. Interesting.

"It means that God loved you so much that he gave his only righteous son to die in place for you, to suffer for your sins," many shook their heads thinking of how great his love was for us and my eyes grew watery as I thought of the sacrifice the Lord had given so that our sins could be washed away. How beautiful and moving that is!"

Suddenly the choir of about twenty dressed in red uniforms entered the stage in the middle of the message and stood still as the pastor continued with his sermon.

"Children of God, it is not by your works, nor by your doings that you are saved today but it is by God, through his sacrifice, through the death of Christ that you are saved today."

The guitarist started playing a soft melody as the female leader of the choir who was non-other than the girl who had sung Alpha and Omega on the first day I had come to church, started singing, her angelic voice holding so many emotions, happiness, gratitude and most importantly love. We all turned out attention towards her.

You unravel me with a melody

You surround me with a song

Of deliverance from my enemies

Till all my fears are gone

The rest of the choir joined in bringing tears to my eyes. Their different ranges bringing the perfect wavy song to it.

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

From my mother's womb, You have chosen me

Your love has called my name

I've been born again into Your family

Your blood flows through my veins

Now everyone was singing in a sweet soft tune whilst I was too emotional to even form the words and seemed as though I was not the only one as I heard sniffling beside me and turned to see Thato with tears running down her cheeks which she tried to wipe away when she saw me looking at her but I gave her a subtle shake of the head and a gentle smile as I turned back my attention to the song.

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I am surrounded

By the arms of the father

I am surrounded

By songs of deliverance

We've been liberated

From our bondage

Were the sons and the daughters

Let us sing our freedom

I realised just how the Lord had delivered me from the bondage of sin, from the shackles which I was under and today I could gladly shout out that my Father had saved me and welcomed me into his big family with open arms and love.

The singing stopped and was immediately replaced by the soft humming of the song with the guitarist still playing in a soft melody. Everyone started praying, be it in tongues or just pouring out their emotions.

The pastor walked up the podium with his arms raised high and eyes shut closed as he uttered words foreign to the human mind.

"Heavenly Father, thank you for this day that you have given me. Thank you for your protection and most importantly thank you for your unconditional love." And I got emotional as one tear after the other rolled down my cheeks, "Where would I be, had you left me Lord? I don't even want to know because you have never forsaken me and for that Lord, I glorify your name. Thank you for the sacrifice you offered on the cross, it could've not been easy but you paid the price and you did it, Thank you El Shaddai..."
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"Vi saluto tutti nel nome di Gesù Cristo nostro Signore e Salvatore, che proprio in questo giorno ha vinto la morte ed è risorto." - "I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who on this very day conquered death and rose again."