The Quenched Desire – Episode 14
The Quenched Desire – Episode 14
By Lewis Dampson
Soon, Mrs. Johnson had become popular in ministry with people trooping into her church every day to hear of her new doctrines.
Faced with much criticism for her actions with Charles both in her country and Charles’ country from ministers, Mrs. Johnson granted a press interview. In the interview, she explained how Charles was faring under her care. “I have heard a lot of rumors about me concerning Charles. Most of it is negative, false and overemphasized. The truth of the matter is that, Charles needs to be safeguarded from the slandering and accusations he has been facing recently. And that is what I am doing. I am teaching him all he needs to know to overcome such accusations. I am also showing him the way to a greater truth. He is maturing at a great rate seeing how he had been misled. Charles has grown spiritually and I can see how the two of us are being specially trained for a special work,” Mrs. Johnson left the interview after she said these words.
The interviewer wanted more clarifications on her assumed special work, but Mrs. Johnson answered none of those questions. She entered her car and took off.
Mrs. Johnson was using the strength and call of Charles to promote herself. She initially didn’t have any strength, character, or call to make it on her own. She needed something to prove her spiritual validity, and that something was Charles. If she could gain his partnership, then she could share his platform and that was exactly what she was doing. Charles remained isolated in the home of Mrs. Johnson.
Noah as usual became worried when he heard of Mrs. Johnson’s statements. He knew Charles had been misled. To save Charles, he embarked on an audacious mission to convince Charles to leave the home of Mrs. Johnson.
Noah arrived in the country of Mrs. Johnson. He was immediately directed to her house since she was a popular figure. Noah initially thought he would face resistance from her when he got to the house. But, Mrs. Johnson invited him into the house nicely and even offered him a drink to the dismay of Noah.
“I can perceive you are Charles’ friend, Noah. I have been seeing you at his crusade grounds,” Mrs. Johnson finally broke the pervading silence with this statement. “Yes, I am he whom you speak of. I have come to see my friend, Charles,” Noah requested. “Oh, that! I know you are part of the people who think I am misleading Charles. I want you to know that it is not as you think. I am teaching him a lot of useful things. You are aware of the accusations he faced back home which led to his emotional breakdown. I took him from that environment to nurture him. I want to help him overcome all the problems he is facing,” Mrs. Johnson, said trying to persuade Noah to side with her.
“Please stop all those lies. You know what you just said is not the true representation of your feelings. I know your motives. You want to use the anointing on Charles’ life to elevate yourself. You have taken advantage of his frail condition to persuade him. I have listened to and read most of your messages and the conclusion I came to was that, your teachings and doctrines are straight from the devil’s pit. You teach the Apocrypha. I don’t want to sit here and listen to your deceptive words. I came here to see Charles. Please direct me to him,” said Noah as he stood up from the chair he was sitting on initially.
When Mrs. Johnson saw that her plans to convince Noah to side with her had failed, she switched to another tactic. “Young man, there is no need to get emotional about this. I can see there is no way you will agree with what I am saying or my beliefs. Notwithstanding, I will take you Charles’ room so you can see him. I don’t want a disagreement to erupt between us. I am for peace,” Mrs. Johnson said while she led the way to Charles’ room.
When they got to the room, Charles was lying in bed as usual. His back was covered with bruises due to constant lying in bed. When Noah saw his friend, he nearly broke down in tears. His onetime vibrant friend who could shake down mountains was now being kept as someone’s pet. With a sad countenance, he asked Mrs. Johnson to excuse them, which she obliged.
“Charles, how are you doing?” Noah asked. “I am getting better, Noah,” Charles responded. “You need to come out of this house and from the influence of this woman. You are allowing this woman to control your life and ministry. She is deceiving you with all kinds of lies and has taken advantage of your current situation. Her teachings don’t correspond with the Bible. She is killing you, Charles. Your family is worried about you back home. They need you to return,” said Noah with concern in his voice.
“Don’t worry, Noah. I am here by my will. I am not being held hostage here. I will return when the time is right. Anyway, I am very grateful that you traveled all the way to this place to check up on me. You are truly a good friend and I have never regretted knowing you. Extend my greetings to my family back home and tell them not to worry,” said Charles.
With that, Noah left the house of Mrs. Johnson and the country. After Noah went to see Charles, other ministers and friends also paid him visits and encouraged him. As they counseled and prayed with him, they greatly influenced his recovery. Their love helped to encourage Charles spiritually, but it was still another year before the emotionally shattered revivalist could stand or walk.
After a year, medical advisors instructed Charles to never undertake public ministry again. He was told he could only do informal counseling, but he was advised to never preach in public again.
Charles’ situation was only known by people in the country who were mostly close friends or ministers. Most of Charles’ converts were unaware of his physical condition and were hurt. They felt deserted by their leader. As a result, some returned to their old ways of living. The ones who remained faithful found other churches to attend. Due to Charles’ absence and the confusion whether he was a messenger sent from God, bars and prostitution joint began to operate again. The fire of revival was dying out in Charles’ nation.
