MOVING FORWARD

The last couple of weeks have seen us in a very dark place as a country, our homeland Kenya. So much has happened in a few weeks than it had in the past couple of months. How we handle corruption and increased taxes has changed and has seen us taking a strong stand against the unfairness that some of our leaders have displayed. We have lost lives, we have been mishandled even after some have gone out with good and peaceful intentions and we have seen how issues can get out of hand in just a few moments. We have all sorts of emotions going through us. Anger, pain, sadness, revenge, and all else. So how do we move on from here? How do we repent for all the vengeance against our leaders that we have felt and for all the wrong utterances that we may have said in anger? How do we move forward after feeling like everything has come to a halt as we follow up to see what next and as we stay at home on some days for our safety? It can be difficult and most times feels paralyzing, but the difficult truth is that we have to move forward even when the environment looks uncertain. Let us discuss a few things that we can do.

ACCEPT

Politics can get painful, divisive and dirty. Unfortunately, each one of us is affected and are not spared from the horror that politics can be. Since days immemorial, the wellness of our country has been founded on politics. Not sure if it is the right way to handle a Nation, but I know something needs to change. However, to rectify something that has taken root for over fifty years, might and will take a while or maybe might not happen because the World and its systems are only getting worse as we get prepared for the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. So now that we have the reality on the ground, and we have seen how things are handled and even from the speeches given, we need to make peace that we might be headed into more difficult days. We have to accept the situation at hand and ask GOD for help in this unfamiliar territory. We have seen just how much some leaders have only their interests at heart and not those of the people that elected them to represent them. We have seen that for sure, we only have each other in times of crisis. We have seen that the leaders are guaranteed safety as a priority above the citizens. We have seen and we have learnt and we should do better moving forward and not just in the elections, but also in how we handle ourselves and each other. So now we forgive them, yes, very painful but Godly. We forgive each other and find grounds to move past with a peaceful heart. Remember in the previous blogs and podcasts we have said that not everything Godly seems fair. But we obey because we love GOD. And not to say that we stop holding people accountable, but we do it without the darkness of unforgiveness, vengeance and anger in us.

PLAY YOUR PART

And so play your part, as Christianly human, as well as possible. First, learn from the whole situation. Understand the same mistakes our leaders are making are the same ones we might make, only that we are not holding public positions. Take responsibility and understand that your actions and decisions can and will affect the people around you. Be the person you would want your leader to be, so don’t bribe, don’t be corrupt, lead with and live in righteousness in accordance to GOD’s Word. Learn.
Don’t look over your shoulder to see who is and who is not playing their part. Put in mind your safety and that of your neighbour. Know your neighbours and form Godly communities, fellowships and safe spaces, where we can stand with each other and update each other on issues. Protect one another and stop allowing people with wrong intentions divide us, especially during campaign and election years. We are one Nation under GOD. Mountains and rift valleys should now be any other landscape features. As diverse as we are, we need to stop being tribal and stand in unity. As much as this may not cut across everyone, those with good intentions should understand how important unity is for an entity to thrive. We can start right where we are and spread the goodness as far as we can go. We can say no to anarchy in our small spaces. Impact always happens where Godliness is preached and practiced.
Market each others’ businesses, buy from them, trying as best to not bargain if you can truly afford it. Fight for the justice of one another, especially for them that are looked down on… The orphans, poor and the widows. Give your part in civic education and educate people what certain decisions will mean for them. There is some lingo that is better understood better by a certain people more than others. Do not be silent because it doesn’t affect you. If it negatively affects someone else and you know it and do nothing about it, you will be held accountable. Give to those in need as much as you can. Give to charity, refer people for jobs, mention their names and businesses in those rooms, create opportunities and give them to people, offer services that will help lift someone else’s business and don’t get tired even when you don’t get anything in return. You can rest assured that GOD sees your service and HE will bless you in ways unfathomable. Work unto the LORD, your labour is never in vain.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the LORD.

I Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

RESPECT

It should not be a case of us against another. We can put across what we believe in as respectfully as possible. No need to call each other names, no need for insults, no need to feel better than another, no need to look down on another and definitely no need to feel that you are the only right one. We can disagree and still remain united. We can hold different opinions and still think highly of each other. We can have discussions that bring out our unique thoughts and differences and still share a meal. We don’t have to be arrogant about what we stand for. Change your mind when it makes sense and accept that we all fail in making wise judgements at one time or another. We can do it! Such situations should not leave us enemies in the body of CHRIST. Such situations should not leave us feeling some type of way about certain members. If there was a time we needed to be of one mind, it is now. Politics cannot unite us. Our opinions cannot unite us, but only JESUS can. We can have varying opinions about the issues surrounding us, but for as long as we agree on the Word of GOD being our sole and final authority on how to handle issues, then we are good to go.

GUARD YOUR HEART

This is a season where we can easily get angry, say uncouth things, get mean, feel overwhelmed, feel defeated… Such sensitive times and so guard your heart. Spend time in prayer and devotion. I can’t explain the Heavenly silence and calm that comes with spending time with GOD and genuinely pouring your heart to HIM. Meditate and action HIS Word throughout the day. Don’t feel the need to be right and for people to see your point. Say your point and move on. Disengage from spaces that anger, annoy or trigger you. Switch off the media if you don’t want to hear what is being said. You don’t have to watch the news. Stop scrolling idly through trends that are causing you discomfort, you might not be as strong as you think. Unfollow or mute accounts that are not in line with what GOD would have you see or hear. Take a walk, exercise, rest, eat healthy, sleep, hydrate, take care of the Temple of the HOLY SPIRIT. Relax with your favourite Godly Music, Podcast, Blog, book, movie, series, anything. Just don’t let your heart be jolted too quick or hard by whatever you hear or see. Be still and know GOD is GOD even in these times. If there is nothing that you can humanly do, walk away and release control.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD; and the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the GOD of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9 NKJV

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 NKJV

GET BACK TO WORK

Is it Ministry? Is it your business? Is it that project your boss has been asking for the last two weeks? Is it that delivery you needed to finish tailoring for your client? Is it that proposal you need to draft? Is it that collaboration you need to work on? Is it laundry? Is it cleaning your house? Is it decluttering? Whatever it is, get back to work! Such situations have a tendency of making us feel like we need to halt our lives, but unfortunately, time is going by so fast. Get back to work. Yes, it is possible to flourish in an unfavourable economy, unfavourable taxes, unfavourable conditions, unfair treatment, it’s possible. GOD has a good plan for every situation that bombards us.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the GOD of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. For thus says the LORD of hosts, the GOD of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely to you in MY name; I have not sent them, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:4-9 NKJV

For every “prophecy” you might hear about things getting better or even worse, do your due diligence. Only GOD knows the future from here and the best we can do with the time we have now is to allow HIM accomplish through us all HE wills and intends. Also, read further before and after that portion of scripture. You will have context of the famous verse, Jeremiah 29:11.

TALK AND DEAL

The time to sweep things under the rug is long gone. Sweeping them under the rug does not make them go away or make them non existent. They only start smelling with time. Clean the rug as well. Healing comes when we are true to what is ailing us. We have seen what is ailing our churches and their leadership. We have seen what we have not dealt with in the country. We have seen how we deal with crisis. We have seen how we react to situations. We have seen our children bring up certain topics that their grandparents refused to discuss with us. We have seen it and we need to address it. We cannot be bullied into silence anymore by our fellow Christians and by the World. Yes, there is a way to handle issues, but we need to stop throwing around out of context verses like “touch not my anointed.” We need to stop putting leaders on such pedestals that we cannot be the voice of correction that GOD wants us to be. We can no longer be silent. We can no longer be in bed with governments as a Church of CHRIST and expect to represent HIM fully. We cannot be paid to complacency. Only GOD can build HIS Church and certainly not with the help of a corrupt entity.

THE ONE COMMISSION

Our role here as Christians is not to win arguments or prove who knows more than who. We have been called to make disciples for CHRIST. So even as we put our thoughts across, we need to ask ourselves if anyone would want to be associated with the GOD that we profess. How we carry ourselves out in our spaces of our homes, work, businesses, our social media and all should be telling of who CHRIST is. Our desire should be to be like CHRIST even in the most dire situations. Wherever we are, if we are convicted that what we say, do or think is not in line with making CHRIST known and HIM glorified, may we quickly walk away and seek GOD.

FINALLY

On whose side are you leaning on? Are on the LORD’s side and is HE on yours? I was talking with a pastor and I told him that whatever injustice is happening, GOD will sort out. He was quick to add… “Remember, GOD is not here to streamline any political agenda or political party. HE is here to build HIS Kingdom and HE is working even through the current position we are in.” Challenge… Will you allow GOD to use you to build HIS Kingdom? Streamline yourself with HIS agenda and you will not go wrong. We have no power to drag GOD to our corner. Only by doing according to HIS will can we please HIM. Only by being on HIS side can we win. May our eyes be laser focussed on CHRIST and only then can we know how to move forward even with the contentious challenging issues. May we be humble enough to realize when we are walking out of HIS will. We don’t stand by HIS side to be seen as better than the rest or seen right, but we are on HIS side to fulfill HIS purpose, to glorify HIM in all.

And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.

Judges 16:20 NKJV

PRAYER

LORD JESUS, forgive us for the times that we have doubted YOU and YOUR power. Forgive us for the times we allowed issues to take us away from YOURSELF and caused divisions amongst ourselves. Forgive us for the pride in our hearts that has caused us to not see what YOU are doing in these times. Forgive us for the times we have abandoned YOUR mission as we turn our attention to the destructible. Forgive us and give us peace in our times. Help us be the light and the salt of the Earth in these times. Help us be safe spaces, beacons of hope and shoulders of comfort for everyone around us. Help us to always remain focussed on YOU in every circumstance, to the honour, glory and praise of YOUR Holy Name, in JESUS CHRIST our LORD, Amen.

More of GOD’s Grace, Love and Light,
Lydia Ndwiga.