THE PLATE AND THE PALATE

 

I was thinking this morning.... I was still doing my Masters, when I ran into a former classmate in Benin City. It was a time we were in a hurry to make it. He was looking good and had great panache or like we say, e don hammer. He invited a friend and I for lunch and we obliged. After all, student no dey reject free food. As we gisted, I observed his transformation from our days at the university and was determined to understand his template.

We settled into this popular restaurant in town and placed our order. Of course, someone else was paying, so we ordered 'orobo' portion. As the food was being placed before me, I suddenly heard my stomach grumbling and my mouth salivating. It was like my hunger had doubled. It must be true that the content of the plate determines the reaction of the palate.

Without hesitation, I dug into the dish and kept going until I was full. It was only then that I started to see and think clearly. Like the Scripture says, the eyes of my understanding became open. I started noticing things about my friend that made me contemplate.

After an hour of gisting, I still couldn't say exactly how he made the money he was spending. From his expensive smelling frangrance to his designer clothes, I imagined how what he was spending could pay my school fees ten times over. What about his wristwatch? Hmm! It was even gold plated.

The more I saw, the stronger my doubt about the source of his wealth, and the more I got uncomfortable and decided to cut short the outing. We shook hands one more time as he dropped us off on campus. As he turned to speed away, I looked again to wave a goodbye, and I caught a glimpse of the licence. Wow! His nickname was on the number plate.

As I opened the gate and walked towards my room at the BQ, I recalled the words of Proverbs 1:10, 'My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.' I re-appraised my values one more time. I would rather enjoy a plate of jollof rice cooked with firewood than pretend to be a big boy using an electric hotplate.

The devil will always tempt us with the luxury of life to derail us, but Ephesians 6:14 had admonished us to stand, gird our waist with truth, and have righteousness as our breastplate.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey