WARNING: IF YOU DON'T HAVE STRONG TEETH TO CRACK BONES PLS DON'T READ!
I am becoming increasingly disturbed by the negativism that fills comments about the issues that matter to my heart: the Church and the nation (Nigeria). Let me just share my thoughts and leave the rest for you to ponder and may be comment.
- God is at work in every generation and really we can't hinder God. We talk as if our generation is the worst since Adam. Remember Sodom and Noah's days before that. Remember Nimrod and Babel.The earth has and will continue to know evil till Jesus returns. In the midst of that evil, God's light continues and will continue to shine. To focus on the evil so much that we are blinded to what God is doing is a mark of ingratitude.
- Perfection will never be attained on earth. If it were possible, God will not promise a new heaven and a new earth. One day God is going to be done with this world and will then wipe it out. When I see imperfections in People, Governments, Church organisations etc it only reminds me that we are called to prepare men for heaven and not to perfect the earth. So I REFUSE TO COMPLAIN UNNECESSARILY!
- The Church is too precious to be constantly battered. If you constatntly tell me and others how bad my wife is, even if you are right I would soon hate you. The Church is the Bride of Christ, let's love her and pray for her rather than condemn her regularly. By the way I am part of that Bride, so polish me rather than constant rebuke. I've learned with my children that folks learn by encouragement more than by constant rebuke.
- The way some of our Brethren talk about Leaders in the Church, you would think they were telling God, 'I'm the only one still doing right on this big ball'. Remember Elijah and the hidden Prophets! Boy, be sincere, you're not perfect, so stop insisting that others must be perfect. Again, by constantly criticising Church Leaders (many are actually spiritually sick!) instead of praying for them, we forget what God is doing on earth. He has not abandoned His Church. You know what? I'm still shinning my imperfect light at Osogbo and it's driving some darkness away! Celebrate that.
- Now about the nation. Who's the leader we can trust? We criticise each one. Let's make YOU the next President! I would not Vote for Me! I Pastor a Congregation of about 1500 (including Children) and it's ... HECTIC..what else? I Pray, Fast, Teach, rebuke, encourage, cry,... and wait! Those who lead at home know leadership is not easy. The Bible commands to pray for those in authority, let's do that. The critic role is not for me. Which Nation would you like Nigeria to become like? America, UK, Canada, Dubai,Japan,... your answer makes me laugh! NAIJA FOR LIFE!
- So when am upset about what is going on in the Church and Nation, what do I do? Pray and if possible offer constructive analysis and proffer solutions. And do that with humility, fear and trembling. Sometimes I see a tinge of arrogance in our comments. e.g It's very easy for someone who is not a Pastor to criticise we Pastors. One common criticism is that I don't make my church to be Missions minded. Like I said earlier, I wish they were, just as I wish they all knew Jesus and had a closer walk with Him. I'm doing my best (whatever that is) and leaving the rest to God. So you pray for me and send your loving advice.
- I've been studying about revivals and praying for one since I was a teenage young believer. I'm still expecting one. But would a revival cure all the ills of the Church? My studies don't prove that. In fact it could increase our problems. More converts to disciple, more pretenders to deal with (suprised?), more poor at the doors of the church looking for food and clothes. More sick folks needing Pastor's prayer. Those will be good problems, but problems are problems. So I continue to pray for revival. Much more I pray - Lord Jesus come. MARANATHA!
