A zebra once said “How I wish am a lion” after escaping from a hungry lion. “Had I been a lion, I will walk around the jungle fearless. I will never be hungry as there are many animals to feed on. Other animals will take to their heels as soon as they sight me”
The hungry lion on his part shouted “God, you should have made me a zebra” in his heart. “Had I been a zebra, I will not have to run after other animals for food. I can always eat the green plants all around me. Had I been a zebra, I will majestically walk around the jungle to show other animals how beautiful you have made me. Had I been a zebra, I will outrun all lion who tries to catch me for food. Oh God, I sincerely wish I was I zebra!”
Many people are like the zebra! They wish to be someone else. Funnily, those they want to be like secretly appreciate and admire their qualities. You may try to be someone else but note that every individual is the only type of himself. No exact replica had been before, none exists presently and none will be born after. You are the unique you!
Udeh Caleb Ifeanyi KOH
Friday 23 September 2011
Monday 5 September 2011
Let it go!
Lepers are as good as dead! The discrimination and stigma they get are far more than that of those with HIV/AIDS. They live behind the gate of cities in Bible time and are regarded as cast outs. They live at the mercy of freewill givers who throw food and other basic necessities to them. Anyone who suffers leprosy automatically gets his/her glorious destiny thwarted as he/she is thrown out of town. The supposed four lepers in II Kings 7 are no exception to these.
After a long famine that abruptly stopped the few supply of food they normally have persisted in their country home, they decided to go to the nearest country. Not minding the deadly rivalry that existed between the two countries at that time and with the assumption that the neighbouring country might not be as callous as their country after all, they decided to decamp.
For people at a cross road as such four lepers to make a decision like this, it means much more than just being hungry. One, it means a complete loss of trust in their country. “If we …enter into the city …we shall die” II Kings 7:4. The rich held on to their wealth ad are more unwilling to share with the poor not to talk of poor outcast lepers. Secondly, there is a law forbidden the presence of lepers in the city. Hence, any offending leper may have to pay with his/her life. Considering this, their decision is more than just being logical. It is the best decision anyone will make especially when their chances of survival look brighter with their neighbor –no strict law against lepers, people are considerably willing to share their resources among themselves.
When they eventually got to the camp (not forgetting to raise their hands to show that they mean no harm), they were struck with the grave silence that existed in the camp. They chanted some words of greeting only to be answered by bleating, neighing, mooing, chuckling, sheep, horses, cattle, hens respectively. After a convincing search of sign of human being, they settled down and ate like people having a feast that only come once in fifty years. After wining and dining to their fill, they took as many spoil as they could and hid them. They came back and took some more and again hid them. They no reasoned among themselves that though they have been largely uncared for by their own people, it will be a matter of paying evil with good by inviting their country people to share in the spoil they got through unfought but won war.
This set of four lepers showed a good example of letting go of hurt. If they still forgave after all the unfair treatment meted on them by their own people, we should do same no matter how hard it seems. So let it go and you will be glad you did!
After a long famine that abruptly stopped the few supply of food they normally have persisted in their country home, they decided to go to the nearest country. Not minding the deadly rivalry that existed between the two countries at that time and with the assumption that the neighbouring country might not be as callous as their country after all, they decided to decamp.
For people at a cross road as such four lepers to make a decision like this, it means much more than just being hungry. One, it means a complete loss of trust in their country. “If we …enter into the city …we shall die” II Kings 7:4. The rich held on to their wealth ad are more unwilling to share with the poor not to talk of poor outcast lepers. Secondly, there is a law forbidden the presence of lepers in the city. Hence, any offending leper may have to pay with his/her life. Considering this, their decision is more than just being logical. It is the best decision anyone will make especially when their chances of survival look brighter with their neighbor –no strict law against lepers, people are considerably willing to share their resources among themselves.
When they eventually got to the camp (not forgetting to raise their hands to show that they mean no harm), they were struck with the grave silence that existed in the camp. They chanted some words of greeting only to be answered by bleating, neighing, mooing, chuckling, sheep, horses, cattle, hens respectively. After a convincing search of sign of human being, they settled down and ate like people having a feast that only come once in fifty years. After wining and dining to their fill, they took as many spoil as they could and hid them. They came back and took some more and again hid them. They no reasoned among themselves that though they have been largely uncared for by their own people, it will be a matter of paying evil with good by inviting their country people to share in the spoil they got through unfought but won war.
This set of four lepers showed a good example of letting go of hurt. If they still forgave after all the unfair treatment meted on them by their own people, we should do same no matter how hard it seems. So let it go and you will be glad you did!
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