Christian Living
A reflection on the present crisis and the future.
Oyinlade I. Oladipo
We live in interesting and challenging times. Right before our eyes we watch history happen and see the seeds of yesterday become the harvest of today. Who would have thought that an African American could win the
primaries of a major American party and be nominated to run for the presidency of the USA, but right before our eyes Senator Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. No one would probably think that Wall Street, the entire banking industry and Financial Markets could get into trouble, plunging the economy of great countries into recession? Anyone who suggested to the people of Zimbabwe that Robert Mugabe would agree to share power with the MDC would have been called a joker some months back.
However, the year 2008 and early 2009 saw all these take place. I wonder if you will agree with me that a major chunk of DR ML King's dream of an equal America is being reaped in Obama and that the distress in wall street is a result of the selfishness of Banks, finance institutions and their CEO s. The Law of sowing and reaping operates in all areas of life, in fact it is the number one law in the universe. It cannot be refuted or added to. What you sow is what you will reap at the long run.
If you sow corruption, you will reap corruption, but if you sow corruption, repent and then sow what is right, God's mercy is available to kill the seed of corruption- that is the Bible's definition of forgiveness, total absolution.
The crisis in our world should make us think twice, no two times in history are the same. They may have the same trend, but they are not the same. Tough times never last but tough people do, however tough people know that they will live through many tough times.
In order to survive and live well, we need to have a balanced view of time and develop a constant positive attitude that can see us through times of great adversity. It is a great deceit to say that troubled times will never come; there will be times of great trials in every age. Jesus prophesied that towards the end of world, there shall be perilous times. The Apostle Paul said 'men shall be lovers of themselves rather than lovers of God'.
There is no better way to understand the financial crises in the world other than people are selfish. It is selfishness that makes a bank to give credit facilities
to people who can't afford them with the hope of making jaw breaking profits from high interest rates. Nothing but selfishness is responsible for the killings in Zimbabwe because one man views the country as his personal farm and refuses to let
go of power even when beaten at the elections. Right before our eyes, we see the scripture being proven right as men are becoming more selfish.
There is no denying the fact that the whole world, saved and unsaved alike are being affected by the bad decisions of the selfish ones among us. We however thank God that there is a way out. The answer to the problems in today's world is simple
thought its specific application requires some selflessness. Here it is; sow what is right.
In order for tomorrow's generations not to suffer from our bad decisions, we need to start making the right choices, sowing the right seeds now. Bankers should play by the rules-the good rules and not bring out rules motivated by greed. We cannot continue to make laws that feed our lust and expect society not to go insane. Parliamentarians should put the fear of God into perceptive in making laws.
Only an unrealistic person will deny that the high level of crime we see among British youths today is not as a result of parliament taking so many powers away from the parents and teachers. Discipline does not kill a child, only a lack of it does. And it is high time that rulers started putting the people first before their own selfish ambitions.
As individuals we should strive to live by the principles in God's word. Permit me to pay attention to our thirst for wealth and the Hollywood lifestyle many of desire. God urges against running after wealth, God is not against wealth but He is against the pursuit of it at the expense of humanity and Himself. God's plan for us is the best but He will not have us get the 'best' against His laid down good principles.
Incidentally, on the Independence day of my native country Nigeria, Dr Tunde Bakare hosted an Independence Day celebration and prayers for the nation. I am quite optimistic that if my people have the view that Dr Bakare and others like him possess about our country, she will soon take her place amongst the developed nations of the world. For any nation to move forward righteousness should be the watchword and the citizens must be selfless, thinking of the other person before themselves.
As good as it is, being religious is of no benefit where selfishness is rampant. Africa and Asia are arguably the most religious and most undeveloped continents on the face of the earth today. The truth is; what makes any people better is not the knowledge or belief they have in God, but the application of it. The Bible is full of principles that can make lives better when followed. The prosperity of the west despite their godlessness never ceases to amaze immigrants from other nations.
The nations of the west are prosperous because their foundations were built on Biblical principles and they still follow these principles though they have been secularized.
True prosperity comes from following God's principles. Selfless leadership as against selfish leaders, the dignity of the human life as against incessant torture and killings, integrity in leadership as against constant lying to win votes are qualities that third world leaders should imbibe.
God is no respecter of persons but honors those who honor Him, especially those who keeps His word. In times of adversity and prosperity, when the earthquake
in Wall street has sent a tsunami to Broad Street and the High street, those who live by God's principles will live in peace.
Tomorrow is fragile and is not immune to the viruses of today. For us to see true prosperity, we must stop being selfish and start being selfless.
Like Dr Martin Luther King Jr, we should dream of a great tomorrow and take actions to ensure it.
The destiny of generations yet unborn is in our hands what are we going to do with it?
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