Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Independence Day

My Independence
The risks stare me in the face
I fear I can not keep up the pace
With all those who started the race
Towards independence;

I know where I am coming from
I am more comfortable with the norm
Rather than heading towards the storm,
I prefer status quo;

But it is high time I leave
Cutting off unproductive cleaves
Ignoring those sights that deceive
And move into all you want for me;

Easily have I removed from memory
That those whom I thought were glory
Have failed me and left sad stories
While you’ve remained faithful;

The risks stare me in the face
Now with faith, my fear is replaced
For I hold on to your word and grace
Sufficient for my independence.

The Inspiration
It started out as a discussion on alcohol and cigarettes. A healthy argument I must say. My seatmate on the flight felt strongly about his choices in life. I enjoyed listening to his arguments though my mind was somewhere on those I was missing back home. The guy brought me out of my reverie when he said he would not forgive his father for neglecting him at an early age and making him become a man before his time. I do not know what transpired between him and his father, and I believe he has a right to his feelings. His statement simply reminded me of a friend who refused to speak to his uncle for not giving him a job, and yet another who said her father did not give her money to further her education abroad and hence was the cause of the wrong choices she made following the order that she remains back home.

I learnt a lot from these experiences, from forgiveness, judgment, expectations to duties of parents. But something else I took out of it was Independence. I will merge two version of a scripture to state “Make it your goal to work with your hands so that you will not depend on others and lack anything” [1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; NLT and KJV]. Paul who instructed the Thessalonians with those words was a living example of those words for despite his work in ministry, he was also a tentmaker [Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 4:12].

As a child (and teenager), I have every right to expect from my parents and guardians. But at that age when I call myself adult, it is high time I behave like an adult (after all there are some things I will do and claim it is because ‘I am now an adult’!) [1 Corinthians 13:11]. It is time to be independent. Independent in this context does not mean I will no longer take the wise counsel of my parents and guardians. It does not mean I will no longer eat from my mother and sleep under the roof of my father. Independence herein means knowing that my sufficiency is not of man but of God [2 Corinthians 3:4]. It implies consciously knowing that HE has given to us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness [2 Peter 1:3]. It goes beyond knowing, but acting upon the truth that HE has given us wisdom, revelation, understanding, skills, abilities, strength and power (to say the least) to be prosperous. This is no time for blaming the past, your parents or guardians. This is not the time to look at the storms ahead or meditate on the failures of others. This is the time to use what HE has given you. In HIS grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well [Romans 12:6]. For you to be independent, you have to take advantage of it. That’s what makes you different from the next person. You do not have to follow the crowd.

Let your dependency be on God for the Lord is good to those who depend on HIM [Lamentations 3:25]. How will HE be good? HE shall open unto you HIS good treasure, the heaven to give rain unto your land in HIS season and to bless ALL the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations and shall not borrow from any [Deuteronomy 28:12; 30:9]. Every work of yours shall be rewarded [Jeremiah 31:16]. With favour will HE encompass you as a shield [Psalms 5:12].

It is time to be independent while holding steadfastly to God. Incline your ears to HIS words and directions, and you will never go wrong.

Have a blessed day.

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