“All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
– Walt Disney
This past week, I read several distressing posts regarding one problem or another in Nigeria – the codeine epidemic, the de-emphasis of STEM education, Fulani herdsmen – ending in the phrase, “only God can save Nigeria.” I was particularly aggrieved by the medical doctor who documented the codeine addiction epidemic with facts and figures and concluded with the same trite phrase. While saying, “only God can help Nigeria,” is not new, it is a negative approach to the issues on the ground.
The phrase camouflages several ungodly attitudes:
- Not my headache or above my pay grade in other words, I know what’s wrong but it’s not my place to fix it.
- The problem is so tangled that I can’t wrap my head around it.
- Those behind the problem are too powerful to take on.
- Learned helplessness or “we’re just poor citizens, what can we do?”
- “Na so e be” or the insane ability to adapt to any situation.
- “Let me face my own, o jare” or “I have enough problems of my own.”
Why God’s children?
- Sent: God’s children have been sent to light the world, salt the earth, liberate the oppressed, and generally, do more than Jesus Christ did.
- Enlightened: Given the wisdom of God and knowledge of their environment, God’s own are to bring heaven to earth. And heaven’s will certainly is not to allow one person to oppress multitudes.
- Equipped: The scripture equips believers for every good work not to pass on the buck to God.
- Strengthened: If one with God, is majority, what despot can stand against a son of God?
So, stop saying “only God can save Nigeria;” instead, say “only God’s children can save Nigeria. Then, roll up your sleeves and do the work.
