Who Are God's Chosen Vessels?

[A Lady and Gentleman mount the stage to minister a spoken word poetry to a Church congregation]


Musical Interlude - A Charge To Keep I Have by Charles Wesley

[Lady turns and faces the Gentleman]
[She begins with an accusation]

Stanza One
 [Lady addresses the Gentleman]


YOU have a charge to keep!
Dressed up all suit and tied
A Bible in one hand,
An offering in the other
You leave behind your family, friends and neighbours,
To catch the first bus so not to miss praises
You get there on time
Run to the front
Dance heartily to the song
"Yebeyi Wu din na y3,
Wedi nkunim ama yen!"
The Preacher Man signals the end of praises
"Chuuuuuurch! Tis time to hear the word of God!" he screams
"Turn your Bibles to Matthew chapter 2 verse..."
Meanwhile your eyelids attempts hugs at each other
Clearly, they miss being in each other's embrace
Before we know it, you have danced your way into dreamland
"Amen! Tis offering time!"
"The choir would lead us with a song of praises"
In a flash, curiosity kills the cat out of your eyeballs
The sound of great music appeals to your consciousness
You hit the dance floor once again
And lit the whole place up!
The Grace is shared
And you exit the Church feeling blessed,
Or must I say refreshed
You depart with no Word in your heart nor ear
Whereas your unsatisfied soul continually hums to the songs past
What Word then would you deliver to the lot you left behind?
Is it the cliche "3n3 Asore y3 d3 butu butu!".
Or the unheard message of Christ?
You better start listening to the Word!
Read your Bible often!
Teach others His Word!
Who carries out the assignment if not YOU?
YOU are God's Chosen Vessel!

 



Musical Interlude - A Charge To Keep I Have by Charles Wesley

[Gentleman turns to face the Congregation]
[He points an accusing finger at the Congregation while speaking to the Lady]

Stanza Two
[Gentleman addresses the Congregation]

I alone cannot bear all the blame!
They also have a charge to keep!
Leave their beds without having a Quiet-Time
Cohabiting for the sake of gossip,
Splitting in times of conflict
Strangely, they stay awake throughout the Sermon
And when the Preacher Man screams "Love your neighbours!"
They shout the loudest "Amen!"
But in their hearts they despise one another
Rarely offer water to a thirsty neighbour
In times of trouble when you seek their counsel,
Instead of admonishing you with the Gospel,
They share instead their biased viewpoints
Who then cares for the flock if not them?
Who are their neighbours if not us?!
I bet THEY have an assignment to carry out!
'Cos THEY are God's Chosen!



Musical Interlude - A Charge To Keep I Have by Charles Wesley

[Both face the Congregation]
[Intermittently stealing glances at each other]

Final Stanza
[Both address the Congregation and each other simultaneously]

So then WE all have a charge to keep!
Kings and Queens
Husbands and Wives
Family and Friends
Young and Old
Masters and Servants
All who have breath
We have all being duly empowered by the Holy Spirit
Let us go into the World to preach the Gospel!
Let us uphold the duty of our Father and Saviour!
Let's do so in love, peace and harmony!
Only then would WE be doing the divine will of our Father
Always remember, that a charge to keep WE all have!
'Cos WE are all God's Chosen!

The Lord keep US as WE carry out His Holy assignment!
God Bless US All!


[Both genuflect in front of the Congregation in reverence to God]
[Both bow courteously to the Congregation as a sign of respect]
[Duo exit the stage] 

Musical Interlude - A Charge To Keep I Have by Charles Wesley

Composed by: Atsu Dogbey