-By Wilson Adekumola
The Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, The Right Rev. Dr. Olusola Odedeji has given insight into the four kinds of runners on earth noting that everybody on earth falls into one of the categories.
Odedeji gave the insight at the 60th birthday anniversary of Rev. Wale Opeagbe which held on Thursday October 11 at The Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Akesan, Lagos.
The event which attracted hundreds of well-wishers and family members of the celebrant turned out to be a time of deep reflection and gratitude to God.
In his sermon, the Bishop noted that “there are four kinds of runners in life. The first kind of runners are the careless runners. These people show lackadaisical attitude to everything. Nothing makes meaning to them. Another level of runners are the distracted ones. They major in the minor. They are carried away with things of life. They are eroded.
“The third category is the category of the tired and exhausted runners. These people are not motivated. They have accepted defeat. They are wary and frustrated. The last ones are the careful and determined ones. So, if you are careful and determined nothing will stop you from achieving your goals. You must be more careful and determined to get there. There are lots of spectators in the race of life. They watch things happen. The man who wins the race is a man who is not distracted. You must know the key to success, which are desire, determination and diligence”.
While noting that life is a race, he said, quoting from Psalm 90v12, that “life is counted in years but in Biblical terms it is calculated in days. The Christian life is a race from unknown to the known. The known aspect of life is that one day we will die but no one here can tell me he remembers the first attire he or she was clothed. It is now your choice if you want to make heaven or not. If you say tomorrow will be well you are only saying it by faith. Your life is not in your hand”
He then urged the celebrant and participants at the event to look unto Jesus noting that He is the only One that has the key to success. “I implore you to look unto Jesus because He has the map and manual of where you are running to. He has the current answer to all your questions you may want to ask. He has the real solution to all your problems. He knows the standard of the kingdom. Jesus Christ has travelled that route and He knows where the pitfall is”, he urged.
The celebrant who is the twelfth vicar of Saint Peters Anglican Church founded over ninety-four years ago, took his time to appreciate all those who came to felicitate with him. He said, “First and foremost, I give God all the glory and adoration for the grace to witness this remarkable occasion of my 60th birthday. Thank you all, friends, family and all well wishers for being part of me on this special day. In fact, I feel honoured with this enormous crowd. By the grace of almighty God, celebration will not cease in your family”.
The book, The Good news of Christ written by the celebrant as instructed by the Holy Spirit was launched on the occasion. He told this reporter that the proceeds from the book would be deployed to the completion of the two-storey building church auditorium which is under construction.
He said, “I felt one of the ways I can show gratitude for His infinite mercy in my family is to dedicate the money raised here to build His house. I can tell you that I did not pay a dime for most of the things used in this ceremony. I got them from generous and kindhearted people as God put in their heart. If it takes all I have to appreciate Him why won’t I? He provides all my needs according to His riches in glory. If you want to serve God, serve Him with your whole heart. There is difference between serving God and worshipping Him. God cannot be mocked.”
The celebrant’s former teacher in secondary school, Mrs. Joke Ojikutu, who was at the event said, “I am very happy that I am alive to be part of this ceremony today. As a matter of fact, I taught him in secondary school about forty-one years ago or so where I got to know him as a gentle, hardworking and obedient student. He will never leave a problem without solving it. These virtues have not left him till today. He is so respectful that we have not been far from each other. My advice to him is that he should not go astray. This is the time He should be nearer to God and more caring than before because the day is getting closer when he will say here I am o Lord ”
In his own word, Reverend Mike Asomugha of St. John Anglican Church, Bariga, Lagos, described Opeagbe as a crusader and a minister of God to emulate and to relate with. “He is a brother in Christ to emulate. He is a believer in Christ to associate with. You can see the eminent men of God in attendance at his 60th birthday. It shows his relationship with Christ and the believers of the gospel of Christ. It is an inspiring ceremony that reminds us of the second coming of Jesus Christ. That is the essence of the book he wrote”, he declared.
The celebrant’s wife, Mrs. Atinuke Opeagbe poured encomiums on her husband. Her words, “My husband is a loving and compassionate man. He is an epitome of a good husband every woman will always think of. From the first day we met till now, he has always been a loving husband and father. I also thank God for the godly children God gave for us. I pray that he will celebrate many more years in good health. I want to also use this opportunity to pray for every broken home that almighty God shall rejuvenate such homes”.
The event was indeed a remarkable one with the presence of many dignitaries including, Ven. Johnson and Mrs. Roseline Adebola Adebiyi of Ikotun Archdeaconry, Ven. Funso Oginni, Ikorodu Archdeaconry, Ven. Dokunmu, Isolo Archdeaconry, Ven. Johnson Ajayi, Ijede Archdeaconry, Mr. Ayo Olatunji, Mrs. Adenike Ayenuyo, Mrs. Modupe Fadiora, Mrs. S.O Bassey, Mrs. Oyeniran J.O, Mr Akeem Koleosho, Mr Agboola Taiwo, Pastor Toyin Alonge and Pastor Lekan Adepitan among others.