Welcome to the January 31st 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.
The Story Of My Week
It was my birthday this week - not the whole week. Just one day in the week.
I got messages and good wishes.
One was quite touching. It was from one of my cousins. She shared a story from her growing years that I had completely forgotten until she brought it up.
I'll share her words
Dear Big Brother,
Hoping for the day I'd be able to give you a big hug for you deserve more. It’s your Birthday but it often reminds me of who you are; you are kind. God didn't just start speaking through you, he has always lived in you. Takes me back to many years ago, when I was overwhelmed by youthful exuberance. On that particular day, I was being tongue-lashed by everyone in the house for my misconduct. Like it was no good day for me, seems like hell was about to be let loose on me. I could only ask God to take me away or make me disappear from the scene. If scolding could choke one, I sure would have passed out. But then God answered my prayers using you. You came into the picture, took me out of there, even though I was thinking "Oh God, not again!" To my surprise you carried me like a baby on your shoulder, without talking about the whole drama in the house, you took me round the area, me still on your shoulder, everyone were staring like "why e carry this madam like this for neck?" but you didn't care, you just wanted me to be happy, got me some cookies and drink, cheered me up with jokes and gist, you gave me so much serenity that I almost forgot we were still going back home. But on getting home, everyone had calmed down and I could breathe again. Thanks for coming through Big Bro... I can never forget that day and what it and you taught me. I can't pay you back for your kind gesture, but I pray that the Lord surround you with peace, prosperity, and most importantly true happiness all the days of your wonderful life. May the Lord guide you through times of uncertainty, lift you above your fears and set your feet on solid ground. May blessings as numerous as the sand of the sea shore accompany you all the days of your life.
Happy Birthday Big Brother T!
This got me because one of the things I have always hoped for after I became a Christian was that my faith in Jesus would be seen by members of my family.
When I started out, I heard stories of people whose family members thought their faith was a sham because of how they lived in close quarters.
I prayed I would not be part of that statistic.
Fortunately, it seems like I did not make that cut.
Now I have to live my faith well enough for my wife & kids to believe that I have represented Jesus well to them.
As my gift to everyone, I put together a collection of 10 Life and Faith Lessons in a nice eBook.
If you haven't already, you can get in the action and download it here - https://bit.ly/3j08cym
Thanks for always been there.
Things I Learnt
1 - The Things That Matter: I had a business meeting during the week that gave me a unique perspective about how some people are adjusting to the impact of COVID.
In the country of the man, I was meeting with, one of the COVID restrictions was a curfew from 9 pm - 5 am.
That meant most facilities shut down from 8 pm so their staff could get home before the deadline.
For the man, this meant he would be cooped in the house with little opportunities for human connection other than his family or recreation.
According to him, they decided to trade money for that. He and the family moved into a suite in the hotel and had been living there for a while.
To him, money meant little if he could not retain his health and emotional well-being of the family.
It made me wonder if sometimes I don't do the opposite, i.e., trade other things of value for money.
This is one of the reasons why I promised myself not to go crazy if any of my kids mistakenly damage anything that money can buy. I don't want them to lose the freedom to make mistakes. Sometimes, the best lessons come from mistakes.
It's the reason why I consciously try to let go of anything that money can replace when it gets stolen or damaged - no need to lose my emotional balance for something temporal.
It's OK to let money go.
I'll keep my eyes on the things of greater and long-term value.
2 - National Rebirth Precedes Right Leadership: I am currently doing a personal study of the book of Jeremiah. I have two approaches to studying the Bible daily. I have the Go Fast & Wide (my daily read-the-bible-in-year plan) and Go Slow & Deep (my daily Bible book study).
In the second approach, I take my time. I may just read just 3-5 verses and spend the whole time ruminating over them.
Back to Jeremiah
In Chapter 3: 14, 15, the prophet writes "Return home, you wayward children,” says the LORD, “for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel one from this town and two from that family—from wherever you are scattered. And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding."
Reading these made me wonder if we sometimes are not getting the order of matters wrong when we pray for God to raise up good leaders.
It seems like "constant good leaders come from a people made good". In the verses, national repentance precedes great leaders (aka shepherds).
Good leaders are a blessing that follows repentance.
Does that mean "Good Leaders = Repented People"
Nope, as an act of mercy, God allows such aberrations. Why does God do that? I don't know the full picture but it definitely must have something to do with "not wanting all to perish."
This is one of the reasons I have learned to shut my mouth when people blame all the problems of a country on leadership.
Yes, they bear the brunt because of the authority they wield.
But leaders are a product of the people. Good people don't continuously produce bad leaders. Make the people good and the leaders will be good.
And this is why I keep praying for the people as I pray for the leaders.
I pray for the leaders so they can do the right thing now.
And I pray for the people because they have the key to making sure the next generation of leaders are ready to do the right thing when they get there.
Good People, Good Leaders.
A vision for the future.
Postscript
May we as a people never lose faith in our collective ability to transform the future of our nations through individual daily decisions to live Godly lives that reflect the transformation that comes from the Cross of Jesus Christ. (Amen)
Tata,
Tola
0 comments