I rejoice with my Papa, His Grace, Most Rev Luke Olukayode Odubanjo, the outgoing Methodist Archbishop of Lagos on his 70th birthday celebration. Papa, starting my pastoral ministry at Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo under your mentoring remains for me a cornerstone and a model of your steadfastness, humbleness, and contentment in ministry. Living together at Methodist Boys High School, Broad Street, Lagos, remains our solid bond and model of your humbleness to me and my family.
Studies in church history and events of our modern lifestyle of consumerism often leave a minister feeling inadequate with potential for temptation and weariness though restless periods in service to the church. Historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., observes that our society is marked by “inextinguishable discontent.” The reflection is that ‘everything in life creates opportunities for contentment–or discontentment.’ However, the outgoing Methodist Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Luke Olukayode Odubanjo and his wife, Elizabeth provides us a model and meaning of contentment in ministry and life.
Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians aptly describes the secret behind the ministry and success of Archbishop Odubanjo. Apostle Paul wrote, “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Phil. 4:11). Though, writing from prison, Apostle Paul’s contentment which resonates with that of Archbishop Odubanjo suggests that life or ministry does not consist of what you possess but it is about who possess you. Archbishop Odubanjo and his wife Elizabeth could make such a bold statement like Apostle Paul because they know that contentment lies not in what they have, but in whose they are. Just as true contentment is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, Archbishop Odubanjo’s 55 years is ministry is founded in the Lord Jesus Christ. Archbishop Odubanjo and his wife in their obedience and faithfulness to Jesus understand that God is not impressed with their possessions or accomplishments. They are not control by superficial satisfaction.
Born in Ago Iwoye in 1948, Archbishop Odubanjo who started his ministry as a Cadet at Adeniyi-Oluwa Methodist Church and Methodist Church, Abule Ijesa section from 1973 to 1976 did not lack contentment. He did not ‘look horizontally – at what others have.’ He is always satisfied especially throughout his university days in Jos and training at Immanuel College, Ibadan between 1976-1979. For Archbishop Odubanjo, contentment inspires him to look vertically – at God as the Author and Finisher of his faith, his calling, his marriage, and his ministry. Throughout his ministry in Ikenne, Agbeni, Apara, Oyo, Jos and Olowogbowo, in every direction, regardless of his possession or lack of or status or lack of, Archbishop Odubanjo believe and know that God is enough. John Stott provides us a glimpse to the secret of Archbishop Odubanjo’s inward peace and contentment. John Stott wrote, “Contentment is the secret of inward peace. It remembers the stark truth that we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. Life, in fact, is a pilgrimage from one moment of nakedness to another. So we should travel light and live simply. Our enemy is not possessions, but excess. Our battle cry is not ‘Nothing!’ but ‘Enough!’ We’ve got enough. Simplicity says, if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Archbishop Odubanjo learned contentment from his parents and with the support of his wife, their contentment develops as they honestly live and say with the apostle Paul, “I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content – whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:12-13). It is noted that ‘the majority of people in our society is like thermometers and suffers from pseudo happiness – a counterfeit high that quickly evaporates,’Archbishop Odubanjo’s contentment is on an internal source. It is of the heart and not based on external circumstances. Blessed with God fearing children and grand children, Archbishop Odubanjo is a model of ‘enduring contentment, a deep-down, soul-satisfying contentment,’ kind of contentment that comes from within and ‘source found in a soul satisfying relationship with our Heavenly Father that cares for us and promises to meet us where we are.’
For Archbishop Odubanjo and his wife, ‘contentment isn’t denying one’s feelings about wanting and desiring what they can’t have, but instead it exhibits a freedom from being controlled by those feelings.’ For Archbishop Odubanjo, ‘contentment isn’t pretending things are right when they are not, but instead it displays the peace that comes from knowing that God is bigger than any problems and that he works them all out for our good.’ For Archbishop Odubanjo, ‘contentment isn’t a feeling of well-being contingent on keeping circumstances under control, but instead it promotes a joy in spite of circumstances, looking to God who never varies.’ Mama Elizabeth Odubanjo is a model of contentment and hard work to my wife, Abimbola. Mama inspired my wife in trading in order to support our ministry. To the glory of God, we bought our first car through the pure water business and other items.
Archbishop Odubanjo blessed with restless energy is noted for his courtesy and patience, and his style in meeting, ‘could out-wait anyone in silence.’ With Very Revds John Makinde, Sola Ala, we worked under Archbishop Odubanjo at a difficult time in the history of Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo. Archbishop Odubanjo’s pastoral ministry is renewing and restoring and he is known to dislike some of the formalities and abuses that go with the ministry. Archbishop Odubanjo as a model of contentment in ministry contributed his quota at a time when significant changes in the Nigerian Methodism and in society in general have caused us to examine some of the church’s disciplines and practices. Archbishop Odubanjo have sought to infect the church and public life in all his appointments ‘with principles that are thoroughly Christian, thoroughly just, and thoroughly decent.’ When Papa and Mama Odubanjo came for my father’s burial in Osu in 2014, rather than passing the night in their hotel reserve accommodation, they passed the night with my local minister in the church manse. Papa, I delights in you and on behalf of my family, l wish you every happiness and every blessing in the years ahead. Thank you for being yourself.
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