Welcome to the May 29th edition of Faith & Life Lessons.
You will see this email full of tidbits from my week. My goal is simple. I hope that from how I live my life, you can find a thing or two that helps you as you try to live a life that matters. I am always trying to do one thing - make Christ-focused decisions in love, work, and life. And this was my week.
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The Story of My Week
My family attended a social event of a friend of the family on Sunday.
She is Senegalese so it had all the regular things that come with such events.
I realized something.
My years in Spain had dimmed the flickering light for unending social events which was at a low ebb before I left Nigeria.
I had gotten used to social events having a start time and an end time.
For this event, we were told it would start by 1 pm. The celebrant arrived just before 3 pm.
The main meal for the event had still not been served by the time we left at almost 5 pm.
It was like nobody remembered that the next day was a working day.
Maybe a part of me is no longer drawn to loud-noise events where we just sit and watch.
Maybe if I wasn’t a stranger, I wouldn’t be out of place.
Maybe.
I think I have fallen in love with structure.
Events with a start and an end time help me plan better.
Perhaps I may become the eccentric guy at African events who tells his host before coming “I’ll be at your event for 2 hours. Afterwards, I’ll be leaving”.
This approach manages expectations and ensures the host does not feel offended when he is leaving.
Hmmm…I might just consider this.
Things I Learnt
1-God Rules Even in Politics: I’m very passionate about my home country.
I never forget the countries I have lived in.
They are in my prayers.
But the country I come from carries a unique responsibility for me.
I was born there to play a part in its prophetic destiny.
My passion for it probably makes me open to hearing God explain His plans.
I recall during the last election cycle. God told me that He was going to give victory to a particular candidate to bring about His judgment.
Despite all the scheming, everything happened as God said.
And that’s why I kept praying - God in your judgment, remember mercy.
Because I know that God rules, I’m asking Him to anoint a man of blessing for leadership.
Let mercy triumph over judgment.
Not because of us but for the glory of His Name.
2-Close the Door Gently: I had an urgent family-related transaction that I needed to do during the week.
My options were pretty limited.
An idea struck me.
I reached out to someone that I had tried to do a work-related transaction with.
The transaction fell through at the last minute. But I made sure we parted on friendly terms.
That helped when I called him up.
He was able to step in and bail out the family-related transaction.
It reminded me to never close the door hard.
Always leave room for a future possibility.
Professionally or personally.
Unless it’s a values-based breakup.
When values clash, a good transaction would be hard to conclude.
Not impossible but hard.
Some transactions can survive differences in values. Others can’t.
Keep the door open for transactions that can survive value alignment and value unalignment.
Postscript
May your heart grow to be big enough to see people’s character flaws without closing the door on them. May you carry enough grace to serve people despite their weaknesses. Amen.
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Tola - The Everyday Disciple
I help Christians like you who want to live intentional lives incorporate their faith into everyday life so they can make Christ focused decisions in all areas of life and truly live to make an impact and make God happy.
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