What a weekend it was!
At The Convergence on Friday and Saturday, Reverend Gideon Odoma explored the theme “Separation” with depth and prophetic clarity. Then on Sunday, at the RCN Lagos General Assembly, he brought the message full circle with a charge to “Go Forward.” It was a weekend of divine insight and alignment.
In a world saturated with content, Reverend Gideon reminded us that God’s design for His people includes deliberate separation — not withdrawal, but consecration and a distinctive living that propels us forward.
Separation is seen from the very beginning. God separated the heavens from the earth, the waters from the land, and even humans from animals. If creation itself bears the imprint of separation, then our lives should, too. We are called into two interconnected realities: separation from and separation unto.
To be separated from something is to be divided or cut off from it. To be separated unto something is to be consecrated, set apart for a specific purpose. The latter carries both blessing and responsibility. When we are separated unto God, we become witnesses to His purposes — a people whose lives display an alternative way of living, one anchored in truth.
Reverend Gideon painted a compelling image of our moment in history: a relentless stream of messages and content, and a divine invitation to produce something that endures. Our content — be it online or offline — should be meaningful, edifying, and rooted in truth. Separation doesn’t mean retreat; it means stepping into our spaces with clarity and conviction, so we don’t yield ground to the surrounding noise.
The sermon wove biblical stories into this theme. A husband leaves his father to cleave to his wife — separation unto a sacred partnership. Jacob and Esau, though born of the same womb, reveal how separation can lead to divergent destinies. Abraham’s insistence on not choosing a wife for Isaac from a familiar household underscores how separation unto divine purpose guards against dilution.
Reverend Gideon didn’t shy away from a sobering word about the Church. Some have treated the Bride of Christ carelessly, like a bride sold off after a dowry was paid — forgetting what we are separated unto. Such neglect doesn’t just harm the individual; it weakens the witness of the Church. Yet even in that warning was hope: those who live distinctly for God inherit a blessing. Separation, then, is not asceticism but alignment — life oriented toward God’s presence and mission.
From separation, the message moved us toward sanctification and forward motion. The call in Exodus 14:15 — “Go Forward” — comes after sanctification. It’s a command that activates mission and witness. We are not to hide our light but let it shine so others see and glorify God. Reverend Gideon reminded us that right believing produces right behaving. Like John the Baptist’s disciples, we must not cling to the old when Jesus calls us into the new.
Transition is critical. God calls us into new seasons — not through fear or legalism but by His Spirit. The disciples’ hesitation after John’s ministry serves as a caution: do not resist divine shifts. When God is doing something new, we must move forward with Him.
Practically, the message urged us to consider how separation shows up in daily life. What does your online presence say? Are your words truth-filled or echoing the noise? Are you publishing light or confusion? Separation demands that we guard the gospel and our spiritual integrity — not with volume but with consistency and Spirit-led living.
Finally, the message called for reflection. In what areas is God separating you unto Himself? Your family? Your workplace? Your ministry? Are you moving toward Jesus or stuck in a comfort zone? The journey of sanctification and going forward is not about striving — it’s about alignment. When we follow Jesus, we carry a witness marked by compassion, clarity, and hope.
May your life be set apart in such a way that others are drawn not just to your light — but to the source of it.
