THE EXPOSÉ (THERE WAS A CAUGHT!)

Can you recall any embarrassing moment in your life?

When I think about embarrassing moments in my own life, one event tops my list effortlessly. Let me give you the gist.

I had just completed my A-levels and was waiting on news of my university admission. Consequently I had an abundant amount of free time on my hands and was always looking for ways to keep busy. On one of those days, a friend suggested we do lunch at a restaurant and I obliged.

The college where I completed my A-levels was a preparatory schools with most of the students heading to the UK to complete their university degree. Consequently, we were encouraged to adopt a lot of etiquette and other social behaviors' that would enable us adapt in the UK or other diaspora. One of such was the proper use of cutleries to eat (think knife, spoon, fork etc.). As a bonafide Port Harcourt girl who had a degree in eating with my hands, I couldn't be bothered to learn or adapt. For one, I rarely ate out then, so I had no need to learn it when I will mostly eat in the comfort of my home, I thought. Secondly, on the few occasions when I ate out, I had mastered the habit of choosing foods that did not require more than one piece of cutlery - think a simple plate of rice, and fish as my protein of choice.

No strong goat meat to disgrace the family outside. This had worked successfully for me until that blessed day...

We arrived at the restaurant and I ordered my plate of rice and fish as usual. The only problem was that the restaurant had run out of fish, so I had to choose a different protein. I dodged the goat meat, determined not to disgrace my family, and settled for chicken. When the food arrived, I realized today was the day and I had run into a problem.

In Nigeria then, most restaurants served hard chicken (matured hen), and not the soft ones that could easily be picked at with a piece of cutlery. I was faced with a dilemma - eat the chicken with my hands or attempt to use the cutleries that were laid out in front of me (even when I didn't know how to use them) - I settled for the second option.

I was just settling into my food, enjoying light conversation with my friend when a middle aged man seating on the adjacent table started making his way towards me. He came to our table, cut into our conversation and looking intently at me, blurted out

"You are holding the cutleries the wrong way"

And without waiting for another word from me, he picked up the cutleries from my hand and proceeded to demonstrate to me the proper way to use the cutlery - on my own food. I had never had a stronger wish to disappear into thin air as I sat there and mumbled a forced thanks to my "intruder-teacher". My friend across from me wouldn't stop laughing...

As I recall this story more than 10 years later, I still laugh. I have since learned how to use cutleries properly, but this story reminded me of this scripture...

…and you may be sure that your sin will find you out - Numbers 32:23B (NLT)

I had the chance to learn how to use my cutleries away from the eyes of the world, but I did not. I could only cover up my flaw for a while - until I couldn't - because I was found out.

Friends, the best time to deal with a sin/flaw is immediately; it is a guarantee that it will find you out, often in a very loud and disgraceful way. Think of a single that has not dealt with the issue of lust before getting married. Or an individual that hasn't curbed greed before picking up an assignment at a top firm.

As we journey in life, we will always encounter opportunities that will either allow us to shine - or be exposed. The best time to deal with any flaw/sin in our life is way before "there was a caught".

This scripture in Hebrews is a perfect reminder...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us - Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Let's roll up our sleeves, get to the ground and get working on that flaw!