What On Earth Am I Here For?

“I thought we were going to your place!” Mena nudged her friend Daisy as the latter veered off the road.

“Change of plans; I have a surprise for you!”

“Mena stared out the window as her friend drove past Sherman Road. She had known Daisy for about 6 months, but it felt longer than that. Daisy was kind-hearted, loyal and very vocal about her faith. Mena liked her immediately, and a few months later, they became best of friends.

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“Stop it!” Daisy covered her face as someone tried to take her picture. “I am not interested.”

“Aha, he is trying to make some money. Don’t be a buzz kill.” Mena rolled her eyes. Her friend detested pictures.

“I just don’t want anyone to post any picture of me without permission,” Daisy said firmly.

“Even with your permission, you don’t let anyone post; you are very particular about what you post on social media”, Mena was blunt. She didn’t quite get it, but she respected it.

“I post stuff on social media, I write faith-based articles and stories about messages preached in church.” Daisy countered and then paused. “Anyway, what do you think?”

“About this place? Yes, it is a lot to take in. I absolutely love the concept. The environment is nice, well aerated, and there is plenty of playground for extracurriculars.”

They were at a children’s centre where Daisy volunteered. Daisy had brought her friend to finally see the work they had been putting in. “Daisy, you and your team have done an excellent job organising these kids for the event. It is inspiring seeing many children talk boldly about Jesus.”

“See that one?” Daisy pointed to a young girl holding a shirt. Boldy written on it was the phrase Imago dei. “It means the image of God. Every quarter, they develop more creative ways to preach the gospel. We adults just help finetune and coordinate things.

Mena seemed quiet, lost in thought.

“Mena, what’s wrong?”

“I am just realising that I hardly talk about Jesus like you all do. I feel like I don’t want to be known as ‘too spiritual’. I also run a business; some clients see my posts. I have a personal brand. Besides, I already serve God; I go to church, pray, and read my bible. You know.”

“Hmm, that is understandable. However, your perspective is skewed.”

“Skewed?” Mena huffed. You only post Jesus’ stuff on your page; there are few, if not at all, pictures of you. I don’t mean to strike a nerve, but I also want to be known for other things.” Mena replied as they sat on a bench to watch the final rehearsal.

The other instructors were also with the kids. Daisy had been discussing her work with this group, and Mena could appreciate why it was so important. The children seemed genuinely delighted to preach the gospel to their peers in the neighbouring town, and they had been rehearsing this creative stage play. Mena wondered if she ever felt that way-delighted about preaching the gospel.

“I know you find it odd that I don’t post other things. It’s not as simple as that. I simply can’t. There are some things I haven’t told you about my past, and I am not sure if I want to go into it right now; I—”

“How about tomorrow? We could go to Keggie after the program.” Mena was excited; it was the first time Daisy was willing to open up about her past. She barely talked about it. Mena only knew about her parents and sister Margaret but had never met them in person.

“Fine, tomorrow then.” She said as her friend shrieked in excitement. “Anyway, can we now talk about the elephant in the room?”

“My Elephant or your Elephant?” Mena laughed.

“The Elephant,” Daisy replied. “Are you reluctant to talk about Jesus because of your reputation,” She made an air quote. “Or because you are afraid you don’t know enough to tell others?”

“Well, both, if I am being honest. It is more of the latter. I don’t want anyone to engage me based on what I say, and I can’t provide an answer.”

“But you know that the bible talks about being ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you for a reason for your faith. So, you should not be afraid to answer if you are not ashamed of your faith.”

“I am not ashamed; I just don’t want it to be all I am about.”

“Okay, let’s even go there. What else are you supposed to be about? If not a child of God busy doing her father’s work, tending to his affairs, actively caring about his kingdom? If you have been saved and have accepted Christ as your Lord and Saviour, shouldn’t you care about what he wants? His desires?”

“Yes, I care, but do I have to be talking to people? There are people who like those things, who don’t mind. That is why we have pastors.” Deep down, Mena knew Daisy had a point.

“Hmm, so are you saying you would rather stand back and watch other people do something you should be doing because you feel they can do it better? Funny how it may not be the same for other aspects of your life. I am sure you won’t just give up because many people are already doing Mass communication. Do you know that some people have never heard of Jesus and are under your influence? If you do not tell them, they may never know. Why wait for someone else to do that?”

“What if I am not cut out for it? What if I don’t know how to do it? Why can’t I just sponsor programs like this and move on?”

“Yes, sponsoring the gospel ensures the message is spread far and wide, but you should not shy away from being vocal about your faith. God desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4). As a child of God, this is your father’s business. Your purpose on earth is to know God and make him known! That is your mission on earth. That is what you are on earth for, Mena. Every other thing is just an extra.”

“Besides, you know enough”, Daisy continued. You are just underestimating yourself. For every message taught in church, you can retell it to a different audience differently. Look at these kids. Do you think they have a more complex understanding of the bible than you? They see it as simple as it is and preach it because they have dared to believe it.”

“Okay.” Mena sighed, “Now I see why you brought me here.” Mena rolled her eyes. “All this was just part of your agenda to make me see things from a different point.”

“Guilty as charged!” Daisy laughed. “However, I also wanted you to see our work; I am really proud of what we have accomplished, and I wanted to share it with you. But I am glad things make more sense to you now. You just have to decide on your priorities. Are you more concerned about what people think about you? Or what God will like you to do?” She got up. “I think we can head back home now; I will drop you at your parents’ place.”

“No! We were heading to your house before. I want to come over. I want to finally meet your folks.”

“They are not around today, but you can come next week and spend a few days. Don’t worry, we are going to Keggies tomorrow, and if we run late, which will most likely happen, you can sleep over at my place then since it’s closer.”

“Okay, fine.”

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Mena knew something was wrong when Daisy didn’t pick up for the 15th time within three hours. She had decided to take a cab to check on her at home after the 7th unanswered call. Pulling up in front of her friend’s house, she realised this was the first time she had seen the building up close. There were no cars parked outside and no lights on. Mena rang the bell, and a man in a suit opened the door.

“Oh hi! Sorry, I am Mena. I am looking for Daisy…Daisy Phillips.” Mena said, her heart racing. Who was this man? Why was he here? Mena took a peek into the apartment, and it looked empty. What is going on?

“I am sorry ma’am, there is no one who goes by that name. I suggest you leave now.” He started to shut the door.

“Wait! Please, let me show you her picture. She brought out her phone and started to search. Oh no! Daisy didn’t like pictures. How could she find her now? Then she started to search and dig deeper. The man was getting impatient. It started to hit Mena, The fear of pictures, her social media profile, hiding her family, her past, and her house!

“Here!” Mena finally found a blurry one that she had taken by accident one day. It was visible enough for anyone who knew Daisy to still recognize her from the picture.

He looked at it, raised an eyebrow, then looked out and lowered his voice. “This woman is not Daisy Phillips. Her real name is Jemima Williams. But sometimes she bares Sarah Parks and Sophia Cole. She has a disguise for every state she has visited in the last 6 years.

“I’m sorry, what are you saying?” Mena’s heart was thumping so loudly that she thought it might explode.

“Do you know these people?” He brought out a picture of Daisy’s parents and Margaret. Mena remembered the picture from when Daisy had shown it to her.

“Yes, that’s her family.”

“No, that’s the family that has been missing for the last 6 years, and we believe that Daisy or Jemima is responsible for their murder. We received an anonymous tip that she was living here. Unfortunately, she was gone by the time we got there, together with her things.”

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