Ibidun Ighodalo: Let’s Think About This For A Moment

One of the scriptures that has an unexplainable impact on me in the Bible is Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (NLT)

Prior to Ibidun Ighodalo’s death, I’ve had some questions about death I felt I should hear the answers from God. What brought about the questions? I was scrolling through Facebook when someway somehow, I saw a picture of an acquaintance we used to volunteer together in church in those days, so I decided to check her page. Some pictures into her page, I realized she was dead! Oh mine! I couldn’t contain it. This lady was so committed to God’s work, and as well, was so careful to live an upright life. I had a mini reunion with her 2years ago (I think) where I made my hair and we exchanged pleasantries. Imagine my joy to know she got married last year (which was what took me to her facebook page in the first place), only to see her obituary on her page. I’ve had quite a number of deaths like that, which made me really question God, and at the same time, afraid. I wondered what life indeed was, especially seeing how good people die. Then sometimes early this month, I found the answer to my question. 

Kehinde (nee) Daramola. Rest In Peace

It was in Ecclesiastes Chapters 6-8; but chapter 7, verse 15 struck me the most, and poof!- gave me the answer to my questions. It says “I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people” (NLT). This made me realize that it was not new (as said in Ecclesiastes 1:9), and that in the end, death comes to all (Ecclesiastes 9).

I guess it’s in the time of painful deaths, like the sad case of Mrs. Ibidun Ighodalo that we get to realize that life indeed is temporary, and that we all are sojourners on this earth. Her death, perhaps more than anyone else has gone a long way to curb forms of laziness I exhibited sometimes when it comes to work. Why? You can only be remembered by the works of your hands. Sad but true- a lot of people died this past Sunday, what made her death stand out, such that made the world stand still? - her works/the legacy she left behind through her deeds.

In as much as I have known Mrs. Ibidun for over 10years (from afar), it was her kind deeds to Tomike that made it feel like I knew her intimately. Her deeds made her heart shine from afar. It was not a case of having a foundation (which is not bad, as a matter of fact, she had one), it was more of who she was beyond title or office coming to play.

Pastor Kunle Soriyan made some statements about death many years ago which never left me. He’d mentioned it was not the number of our years on earth that makes our life count, but the impact we made with the number of years used. As well, he used an analogy I can never forget. He said- if you sent a servant to a place, and you call the servant to come back home after the reason why he went to the place has been fulfilled, would you feel bad as the master for calling the servant home?

What would happen to isolation centers after the outbreak of Corona Virus? The government/establishments of course would close the centers, else, their use could either be abused, or eventually destroyed. Such is life. God leaving us on earth after our assignment has been completed could lead to catastrophe; an idle hand, being the devil’s workshop. As a matter of fact, if Jesus were to have died today, at the age of 33, we all would have said he died an untimely death, whereas, He had fulfilled all there was about his being on earth. Despite not having biological kids, Mrs. Ibidun had made many homes happy through her IVF Foundation. She's made many hearts glad with her kind deeds in the space of her 39 years spent on earth. She was indeed an angel sent to the earth for such a brief time. Little wonder we felt her departure (transition) very painful.

In as much as a number of times, we never really understand the things God does, trusting Him, and understanding the fact that He knows better would go a long way, no matter how painful the situation appears. When a saint dies, he/she goes into eternal rest, into a place so beautiful and peaceful. Imagine the joy of going home after a very long sojourn? Even Apostle Paul exclaimed how he longed to go to rest in Heaven, but for the work he felt he had to do on earth at the time. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10).

I have been playing the ‘blame game’ repeatedly all over my head, that what if she (Ibidun Ighodalo) didn’t go to Port Harcourt, would she still be alive? Been imagining a whole lot of things…But in the midst of all the thoughts, especially the ‘what ifs’, and sometimes the fear of what this life is and when sometimes we don’t know if we are spending our last breath on earth (and all the other fears and worries that comes with death, especially deaths of good people), I have realized one thing helps us face life as it is, and as well, give us sound health in the place of worry and fear. What? – Worship. In worship is stillness and surrender. In worship as well is strength, and an unexplainable force of peace the world, and even you cannot explain. I have learnt to worship when I don’t understand things. I might not understand what I seek to understand (especially at that moment), but I’ll have peace, instead of despair, and strength, instead of weakness.

Worship works wonders. Why? because in the place of worship, you exchange your burdens for His peace. In the place of worship, you feel His warmth, especially that soothing feeling that not only tells you everything would be alright, but also drops that message of ‘you are mine’ into your heart (from God’s). I tried it this morning after a long while, and oh, what a relief I felt.

With so much going on around the world at this point in time, we have to consciously stop on our tracks to worship, and as well (If I may be honest) – to pause and prepare ourselves for eternity. How? By choosing to be conscious about our thoughts, and in all honesty, just asking for forgiveness at every point in time. Not out of fear, but in preparation that the day can be anytime now, and as well, in preparation to make heaven, because indeed, what good shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

So, while we strive to be earthly relevant, let us do our best to be heaven conscious- both for worship sake, and as well for eternity sake.

We pray God sends His divine comfort to those directly involved, especially her husband- Pastor Ituah, her kids (Keke and Zenan), her immediate family (most especially her mother!), as well as intimate friends, mentees, and well wishers.

These are my thoughts. Can you please share your thoughts in the comment session below?

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