PASTORS ARE ORANGES – Pst. Ife ADETONA

When I was younger, I used to hear the saying that “pastors are like oranges, people squeeze out the juice and discard it.” Every pastor would agree that he has experienced his fair share of being treated as an orange by those whom his life and ministry has blessed. I have had my share too and still do.

Let me tell you two orange stories of myself.

I knew this man from distance. He has lost his job and lost all hopes of getting another. He came across our ministry, get blessed spiritually and physically. Things started turning. I prayed with him, God answered, he was called to his place of work and paid him the arrears including the time he was not working. Do you know what he did? He said he wanted to come to see me at least just to see my face. I welcomed him like a guest. We talked about different things and I prayed with him. While he was leaving my house, he saw some stuff that my neighbour sells. He said he wanted to buy a few to add to what he had already. Before I said no problem, he had bought goods worth 32 thousand naira and paid on the spot. Oh! I forgot to add, he brought something for me, a 200 naira worth of Apple (3 for #200).

Another story.
This lady had a health issue that became a family concern. I was praying with her. Her parents started calling me as well to intensify prayers. They were always reaching me. It took some months but God did it. Her system was cleared and she was confirmed healed in a hospital. She called to share the news with me. Before I said praise God, she hung the call. I didn’t even hear from her parents from that time till now. It was long I heard from her as well.

These are just 2 of 200 stories that I can rip off to you offhand. What about those you feed spiritual meals from babyhood till they turned giants? And look at me one day to say- I know you helped me but you’re not my father- lolz.

To the glory of God, I have countless people who remain grateful and loyal but that’s not the focus today.

You need to read Dag-Heward-Mills book: “Those who Forget”, you will see stories that will make you put yours aside. Just this year, at Winners 40th anniversary, Papa faced where pastors from different ministries were seated and said: “stop worrying yourself, there’s no ministry where people do not leave.” That statement is deep and profound.

I know many pastors whose prayer point is that everyone they prayed for turned their backs after testimony. They thought it is “ise-aye”, a work of demons.

It has been long that I realized that no matter how a man of God acts, there will always be people that will treat him as an orange. So, I said to myself: “why be an ORANGE WHEN YOU CAN BE AN ORANGE TREE!”

Yes, I want to be an ORANGE TREE, that bears big and sweet fruits in abundance all across the year. You are free to pluck all you want and turn your back. But I want to leave a memory of sweetness on your tongue that no matter how far you go, you will return to have another taste.

By the time you return, you won’t be able to throw stones and sticks at me again. You won’t be able to despise or take me for granted. You will have to wait in the queue because a lot of people would have filled the spaces you once had in abundance. You will watch from afar and wait for your turn.

I want my fruits taken to the markets and sold from there. I want it displayed in show glasses. I want it blended into juices and parked in cartoons and bottles. I want to be a sweet and ever-producing ORANGE TREE.

For ministers who feel bitter towards those that turn their backs on them. I have no sympathy for you but pity. You think your reward is with them. They are your customers, not your employer. Any worker that expects to be paid by the customers will be neglected by the Employer.

Look up to God that called you, they are not the ones that call you. The Orange Tree depends on heaven for rain and sunlight and it is happy seeing all sorts of people pluck from it.

Let me cap it with the story of Apostle Joshua Selman. In one of the miracle services, he called a person’s name prophetically. When the lady came forward, he recognised her. He said something like: “oh, many of you don’t know this sister. In the days we used to hold crusade under the tree”. I don’t know what took her away from AJS but that day, she returned, queuing, watching from afar.

Man of God, stop lamenting jare, work on your fruit production. You have limited choices: do you want to be an Orange fruit or an Orange tree.