Chain Reaction

Today's post is more of the perception I got when it comes to how far we can impact one another into progress or failure. I've learnt that we limit other peoples progress intentionally and sometimes unconsciously. The state of people and what is going on in the world is man's fault at most and at part ours. The times' people give in into selfishness, corruption, greed, worked on jealousy and other similar ills have somehow contributed to the poverty, pain, injustice, sickness, crime and all that contributes to the vast gap between rich and poor. I call this the chain reaction that involves many people in between that are often strangers. In as much that everyone is responsible for their own choices, often those who choose wrong were driven there out of desperation to survive. In a world of approximately 7.8 billion people, few of these people work to see change with no ulterior motives.

All of us have a part to play to make the world a better place. Few are not enough to see the change that most if not all people in the world want to see. A world where all people have access to basic needs (food, water and clothing), where all children get a chance to get a good education, those who are skilled, talented, gifted and graduates get jobs or opportunities within their range. It is our responsibility to change what is not right and only children get a free pass on this. 

I guess we don't realise keeping life all about us, our family, our friends and our world only maybe a contributing factor to the ills we see. I don't know why some people do that, maybe out of fear not knowing what the future holds, so giving what they may need in an uncertain future is not an option. Some may hold on to things for boasting rights and pride. There are many reasons why we hold on to surplus and no one is in a position to judge because no one is perfect, however, this may be costing us more than what we keep to ourselves.

For example, Africa is the richest continent in the world in terms of natural resources containing almost one-third of the earth's mineral resources and yet it is the poorest continent. There are many reasons to why this is, reasons from corrupt to vision-less leaders, capitalism amongst other reasons. What I have also learnt is there are more people who want to see a better world for all compared to the few (they are there) who benefit from the injustice, atrocities, capitalism, wars and overall social ills. When it comes to natural resources, was it a case of finders-keepers? why was is it that profits acquired from these resources not beneficial to all who live within respective African nations? These questions have remained unanswered and even avoided.

In an ideal world, if the resources benefited the entire society we would see less crime, poverty, sickness, suffering and pain. We would see more educated, skilled, talented and gifted people getting jobs and many opportunities available. Everyone would have a chance to fulfil their God-given purpose instead of simply surviving, people would live. The chances not given to the least of us will cost us more than what we keep. We lose unrealised creativity, techno skills or skills in general that remain undeveloped, discoveries that would lead to cures of the various illnesses, problem solvers, engineers and world-changers all of whom we would benefit from. I think of those who have never had a chance at living and only survived and their time on earth ended, purpose not met and cures of diseases people now suffer could have been a thing of the past. But here we are, we cost ourselves more than what we keep when we think "me" instead of  "us". To me, it is like making a deal that leaves you poorer than you were before.

Amidst the suffering, we can be the change we want to see for a better tomorrow for future generations. The little or much we do for another benefit may impact them positively. Not just the individual it was meant, this (whatever it is) may stretch even to their families, later impacting the next generation of that family leading to progress for that family. I have come to realise that building people (even if its just one person)is building oneself and the effect may and can reach millions and may continue for generations and that is what I call being truly rich. It is not in the money one makes but rather how one can impact another (in various ways such as a simple act of kindness) person for a lifetime. We can live a better world when we all do our part. We have and are the answers to the problems we phase and unity makes the implementations of solutions much easier.

Challenges

A plant needs both the sunlight and rain (sometimes in stormy weather) to grow. The lack of either one of them, the plant will not grow and die. Likewise, the lack of challenges in our lives means that we won't know the full potential and capacity of our strength, creativity, skills, gifts, talents and our being in general. We would become dormant and fail to progress. James 1:2-5 states that challenges are essential to our growth, it builds endurance to the point of needing nothing. Therefore, we should count as joy when challenges come our way even though it is uncomfortable and painful as it is an opportunity to grow,  progress and become a better version of yourself. In Romans 5:3-5 states that endurance develops strength of character which leads to us being confident in our salvation. 

Personally, I've learnt overcoming challenges builds confidence. For me, I have never had to drive long distances (400km+) by myself, there was always someone with me until this plague (Corona) happened and there were travel restrictions. The night before, I didn't sleep much because I was anxious and I had to consistently think positive. I was so accustomed to being with another especially when I thought about the Johannesburg traffic and having to use the GPS. Anyway, what I learnt is fear causes anxiety and some of that was built within, in the mind and not what the road actually was. I arrived safely and actually enjoyed myself. Joburg still had its usual traffic (but better than normal days) and the GPS didn't fail me. Now I consider myself I skilled driver and I am more confident on the road.  

 Endurance is about pushing through no matter whatever storms or problems we are facing. In this, we learn more about ourselves and our capabilities we wouldn't have otherwise known. Everyone needs guidance, therefore, during challenging times, it is vital to ask for wisdom and to invite God into the situation. Life with God is an adventure. When challenges leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious and tired, be courageous and confident that God is with you all the way and you'll come out of the situation stronger than you were before. 

Deprograming the Mind

When Israel left Egypt for the promised land, it took them forty years to arrive there. The people I talk to about this often say it is their faithlessness and stubbornness that caused them to wander around the wilderness. Yes, this may be part of the reasons, however, it is easy to look from the outside and wonder why it is after seeing the miracles (parted red sea) of God and being guided day and night by cloud and fire respectively, they couldn't simply have been obedient. I mean to me the problem seems to be in the mind and what one is programmed to focus on.

Before speaking, I like to analyse the situation and see how practically the lessons we learn from scripture is applicable today. When I think of the background of the Israelites before the rescuing, they were slaves that were harshly treated by their Egyptian slave masters for a long time. Moreover, because of this, they saw themselves as inferior.  Secondly, even though they acknowledged God, they were exposed to Egyptian Idol gods and this was their environment for about 400 years (many generations). People act according to what they know and exposed to. It may be because they were constantly tormented that they became fearful. And since they were slaves, they were accustomed to that way of life, in a way they had accepted their situation even though they prayed for help.

During the rescue, the bible describes their response to the many challenges they faced. For example, Numbers 16:12-14 Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they replied, “We refuse to come before you! Isn’t it enough that you brought us out of Egypt, a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us here in this wilderness and that you now treat us like your subjects? What’s more, you haven’t brought us into another land flowing with milk and honey. You haven’t given us a new homeland with fields and vineyards. Are you trying to fool these men? We will not come.” They had accepted their life in Egypt as it is and couldn't see and believe anything else was better despite the promise and the miracles they saw e.g.parting of the sea. I do not think it was simply just an issue of faith, rather it was the mind that was programmed a certain way for centuries from one generation to the next.

Furthermore, in Exodus 32:1-2 states that when the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” This is what they learned from the Egyptians who had many gods they worshipped. Even Aaron was part of this team for making a golden calf to lead them even when he worked so closely with Moses from the time of appearing in front of Pharoah. 

Lastly, in Numbers 13 we learn about the 12 men that were sent to spy out the land and only 2 of them came back with a good report the other 10 had a part report that spread. Moreover, in verse 33 the men described themselves feeling like grasshoppers next to the giants, they felt inferior a feeling that is not new to them. They saw and reacted to what they saw with fear. One thing I've learnt is that fear is contagious especially to those whose minds are not educated in the Lord (knowing God) while faith isn't. Faith is hoping for things not seen as if they are, faith is intentional and is independent of one's circumstances. 

What these people were programmed to believe while in Egypt, failing to change their minds and believe God (whom they cried to) and believing the bad report may be contributing factors that cost them the promised Land. This includes also Moses. Joshua, Caleb and the new generation (after 40 years) are the ones made it to the promised land. The new generation whose minds were fashioned from a young age to believe in God, unlike the former generation where it was difficult to convince a mind programmed for many years with many miracles in a few years.

This is a case of you can take people out of Egypt but you can't take Egypt out of them. This is why I believe the renewing of the mind is vitally important in a Christian’s life today, believing what God says in the word and not believing what the world says about you. The Lord says you are loved, forgiven, healed, overcome, victorious, made in His image and has given you hope and a future amongst other wonderful things. Programme oneself with God's word and unlearning or deprogramming one's mind of things that oppose God's word. The Israelites at the time missed their land of milk and honey because they lacked faith, we cannot afford to be stumbling blocks to our bright future due to challenges. It is in these times that God stretches our character and renews our mind further to know Him deeper and increase our trust in Him.