6 POWERFUL LESSONS FROM MERLIN!

Once upon a time in land of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom lies in the hands of a young boy. His name is Merlin’

When you hear those words at the insertion of a DVD plate that is emblazoned with a courageous, handsome guy called Arthur, his dark beautiful lover servant called Guinevere, a skinny young dragon lord called Merlin, an old and wise physician called Gaius and of course the king of Camelot caller Uther, then you       understand what I actually mean.

The ground breaking seasonal movie that centers on a one time great kingdom is more than a seasonal film. 

Back then in high school, I had heard of this movie called Merlin. I could remember a particular scenario when my class mate Christopher brought the DVD plate then to school. He would spend so much time telling his friends about how this movie had fascinated him. ‘Morgana plotted to kill king Uther but Merlin posed as a hindrance’ I heard him said one time. There I was, listening but never interested at all. Then I was never cut out for watching seasonal films. I enjoyed home videos and a few Americans films I could lay my hands upon. One fateful day I had the opportunity to watch this Merlin. I was happy when I came home on a Friday evening to find my siblings gathered in front of the TV set. You need to see the seriousness written on their excited faces. They really sat tight. As I dropped my bag to join my siblings, I then meet face-to-face with Merlin. ‘Oh this was the same DVD Christopher brought to school last time’ that was about a term earlier. ‘Look at the man with the sword and the boy that stretched his hands’ I quickly added. I was already falling in love with the seasonal film. Despite the fact I never knew the names of these characters nor their roles in the movie, I recognized their faces.

That day marked the beginning of a journey into the world of a great movie about the great city called Camelot. 

The truth be told I spent hours, days, and weeks watching this movie. But in the long run, it turned out to become not just a movie to me, but a great lesson that I could apply to my every day life. You see friends, we need to ask ourselves several questions when we watch films. We need to always look out for simple and timeless lessons we could glean when we spent lots of time in front of that TV set so that we would not just waste time. We can invest our time by watching films that are educating and of which we can learn lessons we could apply to our personal lives. Though, we only learn a minute piece of information when we watch TV but we should maximize every time we use. Research have proved that we learn more from reading than watching television. When we read we are putting our brain cells to work and that helps to articulate each of those million tiny cells to form our memory. This is a simple reason why at times when we read to an extend we feel some kind of ‘headache’ because we are putting our brain cell to tedious work. Just as our muscles become stronger when we exercise, our brain cells are exercised when we engage the act of reading. When we read we learn to think for ourselves and use more of our brain cells. Like Brian Tracy once said ‘the human brain obeys the law of use and disuse, if we do not use it, then we are going to lose it’. Unlike TV where we get every bit of information poured into our brain without allowing us a room for us to think for ourselves. Bingo! What was I actually talking about? Merlin right! Let’s quickly see the few lessons I learned from that seasonal movie.

Arthur Pendragon.

Merlin is a movie that teaches us about BRAVERY and Courage.  Courage is the ability to act in spite of fears. It is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it. Like they said, Arthur in the movie represented bravery. Arthur was a skilled swordsman that was ready to sacrifice anything to protect Camelot. In spite of the myriads of attacks that beset Camelot, he never gave up. He was always ready to face every attack and threat that fell on them. You remember when he promised Morguse to do anything she wished? As a knight and the prince of the great Kingdom-Camelot, he gave Morguese [Morganna’s step sister] his words and like you know, when Arthur gives you his words he certainly fulfils it. Morguese tested his courage when she asked him to place his head on a stone so she could behead him. Merlin stood in confusion and tremble watching to see what Arthur would do. But guess what, Arthur mustered great courage to allow her to behead him. Morguses never beheaded him but she was intrigued at Arthur’s magnitude of courage when she said ‘Indeed you are a man of courage’ Lancelot was another man that displayed a high dose of courage. 

Arthur accepted to be beheaded

Lancelot’s courage was the greatest of all, his courage and bravery was even greater than Arthur’s. Why? He sacrificed his life. Though Arthur made an attempt, but Lancelot never wasted time before everyone could notice what was happening he was already smiling his way down to the boarders between the living and the dead. ‘What love is greater than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends’ says Jesus Christ.  Lancelot spread wide his hands and vanished across the clouds delineating the living and the dead. Quite touching!

Merlin taught me the benefits of WISDOM. Gaius was a man who had wisdom and also knew how to apply it. On many occasions, he warned Merlin about the consequences of every action(s) he was about to take and left him to make his own decisions. He explained every mystery behind every event. Being an old sage he had a vast knowledge of ancient’s inscriptions. He also had a great understanding of magic, how they work and the portions that could be prepared to rescind their effects and influences. When Merlin met his new and disturbing friend that had been locked in a box for over 50, 000 years-the Goblin, Gaius immediately knew that the disturbing Goblin can only be trapped by his most treasured object which was Gold. Gaius transcribed an inscription on the heart of Cornelius Sigan which read ‘whoever breaks my heart completes my works’. Gaius was a man who had wisdom no doubt. If you watched the early seasons closely there are many scenes where Gaius displayed wisdom that helped Camelot from tearing apart. Like the bible puts it ‘wisdom is profitable to direct’

Merlin taught me HUMILITY. I cannot say if anyone could play the role of Guinevere than the way she played that role of a poor servant. She was down-to-earth to the last level. She was lovable and she also showed love to everyone that inhabits the palace. She was hardworking and caring. As a personal assistant to the Lady Morganna, she knew her onions and never was she lackadaisical about her work as a servant. I know you understand what I mean here! Words alone cannot explain well the dose of love, care and passion 

Guinevere dedicated to her work. Those scenes taught me to always do the same while under the care of higher authorities. It was really an eye-opener for me. Above all, she was disciplined with her emotions. She was not loose with her body and that was why she succeeded at being tied to Arthur. In modern times, ladies are loosed with themselves. They expose every part of their body trying to seduce men towards them. They apply heavy make-ups to make up for their defects. True beauty lies in the heart. If you are beautiful, then you are beautiful even when you do not apply ‘make-ups’.  Little wonder Arthur loved her so much well done Guinevere!

Merlin taught me to look closely at my inner circles before putting TRUST on them. People break up from friendships because they had been betrayed in one way or the other reasons being that-they were too quick at putting all their trust on them. People are tricky; they can pose as your friends while they are your doom. They are simply wolves in sheep’s clothing. They pretend to be your friend while they are your foes. Uther trusted Lady Morganna and Uncle Agravine but what happened in the long run? You know the rest of the story. Merlin was angered at Uther’s blindness to Lady Morganna’s secrecy that he asked Gaius ‘Why is he so blind’. Before we put trust on people we should be ensure that they are truly who we think they are. People are funny :)

Merlin taught me TRUE LOVE. Uther was wagging war against magic and sorcery. He was ready to sentence any one who was found guity of having magic deposited inside of them. Do you know what amuses me? When he was sick, they summoned a sorcerer to cure him. Merlin did not see magic and sorcery, he saw gifts. Like he rightly said ‘Magic is not a crime, it is a gift’ 

Freya rejected and dejected

Do you remember the druid girl whom was cursed? Freya. She was forbidden to live a normal life; she lived all her life hiding from people who plotted to kill her. When she was caught and brought to Camelot, Merlin got her released behind the backs of everyone. In spite of the fact that she usually turn into a wild ugly beast, Merlin still showed her love. Because she could not hold herself from killing innocent people whenever she turns into a beast, she hated herself even more. What did Merlin do? Merlin made her understand that, the fact she was cursed does not mean she could not be loved. Merlin cared for her and showed her lots of compassion. When she was about to die from the deep cut she had from Prince Arthur, just a few yards across the river that leads to her hometown, she lied helpless in the hands of Emrys and spoke this powerful words to Merlin. She said ‘I have truly lived because you made me feel loved’ to my best understanding, I believe that was the first day in her entire life someone showed her true love. She had suffered from the pains of hate and neglect all her life. When she died, I saw the marks of pains pierced in the heart of Merlin. But his tears did not bring her back. I believe wherever Freya’s spirit went, she would be happy because she never believed she could ever be loved again in her life. Merlin is an embodiment of true love. He was kind at heart and lowly in spirit. He used his ‘witchcrafts’ to save lives and above all to rescue the great Camelot form TEARING APART!

Merlin shows care to fre

Magic is a gift!

 Lastly, Merlin taught be the usefulness of our GIFTS. Merlin was blessed with the gifts of magic. In a land where magic and sorcery was highly feared and threatened, Merlin made up his mind to use his gifts to save lives and to protect the destiny of Camelot. Many people are blessed with gifts and abilities but are not using their gifts to its fullest potential. What are your gifts? How are you using them? The books of proverbs makes understand that 'the gift of a man maketh room for him'. Until you discover and exploits your hidden powers just like Merlin you will never be fulfilled in life. Living and using our gifts and talents are what brings fulfillment in our lives. You can be successful but not fulfilled.

How are you using your 'powers' today? Are you using your gifts to influence lives positively? Many of us are just like Morganna and Morguse who decided to use their gifts to do evil. Many people are good at something but they use that thing in which they are gifted in to frustrate the lives of people around them. God has blessed us with a treasure chest of gifts, potentials and abilities so we can use them to add value to the lives of others. 'Let your light shine among men' Jesus Said. I urge you to use your own 'magical powers' to say 'Tospringe' to open the lives of others. Above all remember that your gifts are destined to the lives of many people. Merlin's gifts was destined to Camelot. When we succeed in using our gifts many people's success are also destined to ours.

I can continue to elucidate many lessons I have gleaned from the timeless seasonal film. There are many lessons I would not be able to put here, but I believe you have yours. If you think you have not learnt any lessons from the movie rather than the actions embedded in the movie, then I would encourage you to change your perception a little about films. When you watch movies, no matter how boring or adventrous the movie can be learn to look out for simple lessons you can learn. Little lessons can help you greatly in life. Great authors of books have narrated used simple basics from movies as a centre of the writings. You can do the same today. If you think you have learnt one or more lessons from Merlin, then I would be glad to hear from you!

Blessings!

THE DANGERS OF SIN

When we sin something in us dies-W.Kenyon

Why do the battle of christendom centre on sin? Why do Christian set ample of time to deal with this three letter words spelt as S.I.N. Sin is the only threat to humanity. The origin of sin can be traced back to the account of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis. Sin came into the world when Adam and Eve dispised God instructions. And because of their disobedience they became foes and no longer friends with God. Since time inmemorial, we have come to believe that sin is an act of offence before God. Briefly I will sharing with you my personal experience and battles against sin which I tagged here as ‘The Dangers of Sin’

As a young person, I have eat sin, chewed sin, digested sin and also assimilated sin. One thing about sin is that a constant repitition of it kills the human spirit and makes it lifeless i.e. We no longer become feel like we are doing something wrong. This is a simple reason why you see people kill other human species as if they are killing some kind of lower animal. As I grew up and deep in my Christian faith I began to see the dangers of sin in my life and in my future yet to come. Most of the major cause of the misfortunes, sufferings people face today are as a result of their sins of yesterday sonnest they forget they have sinned and begin to point accusing fingers on one person on the others. Some generations are suffering from the sins of their fore fathers or their grand parents. Sin and its dangers and effect will continue to linger until it is cleaned by the precious blood of Jesus.

The dangers of sin cannot be over underlined. Firstly Sin separates us from God. When we sin, God’s spirit which were in us at the beginning of creation is withdrawn far from us. Like the bible says ‘The eyes of the lord is too holy to behold evil’. Because God do not live in a corrupt body, He takes away His spirit from us and we are left to the wiles of Satan and his cohorts. King David cried unto God ‘Create in me a clean heart Oh God and take not thy Holy spirit away from me’ God’s spirit is life and energy to the human soul and body. When we are empty without the God’s Spirit it is like when the mother hen lives her chicks to the dangers of the  strong and fierce birds of the air. When we sin God withdrawn His spirit from us and until we are cleanse we will remain empty.

Secondly, when we are yoked by the influence of sin God’s creativity is also withdrawn from us. In God lies creativity, innovations, and great ideas. The bible says ‘The entrance of His words gives understanding to the simple’. In the book of Acts of the Apostles, When Peter and John performed their first miracle at the beautiful Gate, the learned, the Jews were all amazed at how brave this men defended Christ. They were intrigued at the dose of wisdom they exude when they were been queried. But like the Jews also said ‘These men are not even educated’. The Holy spirit is the source of wisdom and knowledge in man. You may not be well educated but if you have the Holy spirit inside of you, you will certainly outshine those with higher degrees and PhDs. Why is this so? Because ‘He that is in us is greater than He that is of the world’. Myles Monroe in his book ‘The principles and power of Vision’ also noted that ‘Man’s need for educated began when the first man and woman sinned against God’. Those who live in the shakles of sin are void of the Holy spirit of God and filled with the dirty spirit of Satan. Sin takes away our creative power and leaves us with zilch. No wonder the bible notes ‘Guard your heart with ALL DILIGENCE for out of it springs the issues of life’. My gift for writing took a different and better shaped since the day I learnt to pray for God’s inspiration and Holyspirit before writing. So Sin is a creativity killer.

Thirdly, Sin averts God's blessings for our lives. When we are in sin God blessings is always far from us. God always work with His people. Those who are not just hearers but doers of His words. God can do anything to bless His children even if it takes Him to destroy one million people. When we are in a constant fellowship with God , His blessings are sure to come to us. He has sworn to bless all those who are covenanted to Him. Like he says’ heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will never pass away’. Take a look at every sincere Christian and you will see that God’s blessings are always bestowed on them. The bible says ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you’ He also said in Deut 18 ‘And you will remember the Lord because He has given you the power to become rich’ Sin steals our blessings both in physical and in our souls. Sin makes us restless while a good relationship with gives us peace.

Fourthly, Sin makes God deaf to our prayers. Sin is a barrier to the channel that leads to God. Like a priest once said ‘Sin is like a collapsed bridge to God’ and until that bridge is repaired we can not cross over to the path that lead to God. God do not answer our dearest requests and petition when our hands is soiled with sins and our hearts is corrupted with dirty thoughts and desires. Like Victor Onochie, a good friend of mine once said ‘Prayering to God with a sinful heart is like offering a spoilt food as a sacrifice to God’  He will never accept it, He will turn His back at it, He will smash it away. But when we are cleanse and purified in our hearts, then can He Pay attention to us. The bible says ‘The effectual fervent prayers of a RIGHTEOUS man availeth much’

Furthermore, Sin hinders Self Discovery .When we are wrapped up with sin, we cannot discover our purpose of living, we cannot fathom the totality of our true being because we have already been cut from the source of our creator. This is crystal clear. In the beginning of the world God said ‘Let us make man in our own image and likeness’ God made us, He had a purpose in heart before He decided to create us and if we are to find that purpose then we musk ask Him directly. I am guilty of this. I thought I do not need to ask God before I discover my telents and purpose in life. I thought knowledge alone will but I failed. Books, mentors, seminars cannot help you discover your purpose for life-Only God will because He single handely created you. He is the manufacture and we are His product so He knows why He manufactured us. Sin hinders us from knowing why we are born and what we are born to do. God said ‘I know the plans I have for you’ He also said ‘Many are the desires of man but only God’s plans will be done’.

Sin makes us prey in the hands of the devil. When we remain sinners we are not safe at all. God will always protect only those who are His. He will guard His people even with His last breathe, because those are His and He will never want to lose them. Satan has authority to harm us and to make our lives miseable when we have signed an agreement with him by remaining in sin. Satan can deal with men only when their hearts are not with God. Satan crushes men when their spirit are not bearing witness with the spirit of God. The bible says ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runeth unto it and are save’ The name Jesus Christ will never move the devil if it is not coming out from the mouth of a sincere believer and son of God. The name –Jesus Christ is only activated when those who are His mention it. The bible says ‘…at the mention of His name Jesus every knee must bow’

In conclusion, Sin robs us of the salvation of our souls. Everything that has a beginning will surely have an end. God gives and at the same time He takes back what He gives. Death is an inevitable occurrence in the life of man. Everything has has life in it will surely die. But we are not just some kind of lower animals. We have a soul that makes us different from any other kind of animal and that soul belongs to God. Dust we are from and dust we shall return. We are just going to return, but we are going to return and give an account of how we spent our lives. The bible makes us understand that once we die judgement follows. Heaven is reserved for those who died in righteousness and the torments of hell is reserved for those who failed God’s judgement. Sin hinders us from enjoying the peace of heaven. Sin will make us qualified to be casted into the flames of fire that burns till eternity. That is why we should be grateful we are alive today because once our heart stops pumping and breathed is ceased from our nostrils, then we shall be facing God’s judgments.

 Final words

PS: Are you still in sin? Do you want to enjoy God’s protection and blessings? Do you want to know why you are created because you are tired and famished of living a life without meaning? Do you want to God to bless your family? Do you want God to give long life and prosperity to your parents? Do youwant to be all that God want for you? Do you want to excel in life? If yes is your answer then you must reconcile with God by confessing your sins and asking Him to give you the Holyspirit. When we are in a good relationship with God then we are accessed to all the good things of life and still our souls will not suffer. This is an opportunity for you to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and saviour. 

To read more about sin visit :thereflectionofhim.blogspot.com

SHATTERED DREAMS: Episode One.

‘Dreams are like eggs, they have to be protected’-Cyprian Henry

Victoria* was a charming and beautiful young lady. She was about nineteen years of age when I knew her. Victoria was a high flying student she proved herself to be outstanding when she led a school debate in our class. In spite of the fact we did competed with other eggheads from other well know schools she beat them hands down. To be sincere this charming lady was naturally gifted with the gift of the gab i.e. the ability to argue, debate and win ,above all the ability to speak up with great confidence and courage that will simply amaze you. I have never seen any other girl as gifted and intelligent as she was. Because of her enigma then in school coupled with the fact that she was our assistant health prefect she became cynosure of all eyes. Everyone wanted to know her. All the boys in my class then wanted to date her. If the truth be told I also began to like her myself. But was I attracted to her just because she was beautiful? As a young person then, I could not answer this question myself. I knew the answer few years later.

Being a very shy boy I never had the effrontery to approach her. ‘This girl will never give me listening ears; she is really not in my class’ I thought to myself on several occasions. But one day, I had the opportunity to meet her. Back then in secondary school, I was pretty good in drawing so it really help me in Biology, so a time arose when we were given a project to do that involves more of the sketching work. Victoria was not quite good in drawing, in fact she finds it very boring [you need to see her drawing, quite scary] so, some other lady introduce her to me. That afternoon was a delightful one for me. So I QUICKLY accepted her request and help her drew those diagrams. That event began a new friendship for me and Victoria.

Victoria was quite humble and kindhearted. But what baffles me was her degree of giftedness I saw buried inside of her. Within a couple of weeks I learnt so much from her, she explain math [which was my weakest subject] despite the fact she was not science inclined. She encouraged me to always give my best and made me connect with other bright students like herself. In grade S.S.S.3 she met this guy called Charles*. Charles was from a rich background, cool, handsome and a heavy spender in school then. According to the story I was told he spends money like there was no tomorrow. Well the only thing I noticed back then was the fact that he used very expensive phones. Somehow a relationship commenced between these folks. We began to see her always cling to Charles every corner around the school premises. They go on break together, eat together, dismiss for home together, come to school together and did virtually everything together. The relationship became so close that people began to addressed them as ‘Oko ati Iyawo’. As a result of this, many other male folks became very annoyed with Charles since he has ‘snatch’ Victoria away from them.

Towards our preparations for the most feared examinations in school then called ‘SENIOR WAEC’ something happened. Victoria all of a sudden just stopped coming to school.  For days, we thought she went for some kind of break and we hoped earnestly to welcome her back again. But do you the shocking thing. She never came back again. Teachers, students, friends, enemies became worried about Victoria since she had been away from school for a very long time. The practical session that would prepare us for W.A.E.C has already begun and she missed her practical classes. Lectures became intensive as well as reading. ‘Maybe she decided to write an External Examination’ we all concluded. But how true is this? What really kept Victoria away from school? We waited patiently as investigations went on. Teachers were particularly interest and perturbed because she took a French leave. She left without dropping a notice or telling anyone about her whereabouts. Her phone lines were not going through.

One fateful afternoon, on a Friday, a few minutes after break.  The school bell rung endlessly. ‘Is the school regulator insane? What is he ringing that bell for? Doesn’t he realize we have to rest and wait for our lectures to begin? As we peeped down from the corridor, we saw a crowd of students filing themselves at the assembly ground. Anita the very girl I use to sit in class with announced to the class that the principal herself summoned that assembly of student, as soon we were notified, we quickly ran out of the class in other to listen to what she had to say to us. ‘Perhaps she has some news from the Examination council? Maybe the examination timetable is out? Let us see? I said to myself with a mixture of anxiety and fear. As we got to the assembly ground, we were first calmed by the vice principal. She yelled out ‘Listen up the principal has a very important message for you’ then the Principal coughed cleared her throat and reiterated what the Vice principal said ‘Listen up my children’ ‘I have............ 
WATCH OUT FOR EPISODE TWO

Shatterd Dreams :Episode2

‘A good life is very hard to build; but very easily to destroy’ Cyprian Henry
Introduction………………..

Relax; just take it easy I believe you have read the preceding story that led to this one. If you have not, stop reading any further, endeavor to read the main story itself. If you have I believe you are anxious to see the end of the story. Yeah every story that has a beginning must certainly have an end. This is a story of a young lady with academic prowess. This is a story of a human’s life. It had a fine beginning. Yes! But we did not know how it ended. Without mincing words, let’s see the end of Shattered dreams.
The principal  coughed, cleared her throat and reiterated what the Vice principal said ‘Listen up my children, I have a very bad news’ as she said that, I looked at Anita and she whispered silently into my ears ‘It is about Victoria’ she said. I never knew when I screamed ‘What? Bad news, Victoria? Then the Principal continued. ‘I believe we all know Victoria Okafor? And the whole assembly responded with a loud voice ‘YESSSSSSSSSSS!’ Then she kept quite for seconds, bowed her head and raised it up again as if the words are too heavy for her to say. She began again ‘Victoria is a very assiduous student, I am sure you know her well, she served as the assistant health prefect, she led S.S.S3A to the debate we partook in last term, she is fair and a great talker, she is very gifted and intelligent in fact she even told me she was aspiring to study Law in the University of Nigerian, Nsukka. For about a month, Victoria was reported constantly absent from school which we decided to see to the matter as an Institution. A few teachers began the search some weeks ago and just this afternoon, Mrs. Dorothy Olatunji gave me a heart aching message at 12:58pm. It is hard to the hearing but because of her impacted in this School, I decided to announce it to the entire assembly. Victoria Okafor passed away two days ago’ immediately she said she bursted into tears and the long calmed crowd turned into a pandemonium.

I stood there, dumbfounded my heartbeat increased and I began to sweat copiously. The crowd were anxious ‘what killed her’ some asked ‘What happened’ ‘How, where? The Principal continued ‘Her parents discovered she was pregnant as she began to develop some strange symptoms which made them began to suspect her. After much questioning she confessed she was pregnant for Charles a fellow student in this same school. She died in the attempt to abort the fetus now she has been buried and Charles, the doctor as well as Charles’ relatives are in serious trouble. This has never happened in the history of this School. Please I pleaded on your behalf hold yourselves, be careful, cut away from any sexual relationships you engaged in. Think about you future, and finally do not let your dreams shatter’ as soon as she said this she left the gathering and retired into her office. I tell you only God knew how bad I felt that afternoon. We could no longer have the class we intended and some minutes later, the bell rang for all to go home. Through out the week and the rest of our stay in school until we took our final examination, the sudden death of Victoria never left our memory.
This was why I decided to write this little note, though I am not a pro writer but at least the message was clear. Since that event I have held on to the insight God gave me as a warning that says ‘Dreams are like eggs, they have to be protected’. One my bed as I sleep I began to ask myself ‘Was that how Victoria and the big dream she had in the future was shattered and terminated’. As young people we will always have challenges, temptations that would want to thwart God’s plan for our lives. The Devil they say is ‘our adversary looking for whom to destroy’. He is always on the watch to see who will fall to his tricks. He will come through relationships, movies, sex, disinterest in study, and he would want us to go far from God. But my mother has always told me the weapon to destroy him and his cohorts. It is via prayers and living a righteous life. When we live righteous lives the Devil will of course try but never get us. When we live a good life we are surrendering ourselves and dreams on to the foot of Jesus. As young people we should be careful of the choices we make everyday because they will determine our life in the future. A little mistake can ruin your life. He said through Solomon in the book of proverbs ‘Commit your plans [dreams] unto me and I direct you path. Always remember your dreams, future, your goals, protect them as Arthur protected Camelot and your dreams will not shatter.     

YOUTHFUL AND USEFUL

‘Enjoy your youth, do all that your heart desires, eat all that you want,
But remember God will judge all our actions’- TEV

Benjamin Carson receives an award for his academic achievements

Growing up as a young person, if the truth be told, I have committed too many atrocities. I have indulged myself in many ungodly actions for which I am still unhappy about. Yes God has forgiven me but the scars left in my heart still hurts. This is one the basic reason I am very bent at impacting young people in my own little way. Nineteen years is gone and cannot be retrieved of rewind. It has gone and gone forever. If I were to give an account for all want I spent all those years my account book would be blank. If they were to pay each person one kobo for every bad he did, believe me I would be the richest on earth. That is why I am not ashamed to tell anyone some of the mistakes I did in the past with my life so they could learn and so I could not be able to go back to them. Like Merlin said ‘Our lives are meant to be a book’ and like Ben Carson noted ‘We should have no skeletons in our closet’

God surely loves me that was why he did not allow me to perish while I was in darkness and ignorance. He still gave me a second chance to retrace my steps. Like He rightly noted He ‘Stands at the door of our heart knocking to see if we would open that he may come in and eat with us’ I failed Him many times yet he never cast me out totally. As a youth full with strength, verve and elixir, I have come to believe that I am not just meant to be useful but also meant to be useful. I am not created to destroy but to build. I am not made to live but to impact. Like Jesus said through the Psalmist King David ‘We are fearfully and wonderfully made’. To be fearful made infers that we were created for some special use and assignment. I am created to execute a mandate. And I believe by the special grace of God I will be useful in God’s hands and in this world.

Definitely, as young people we desire freedom, to live stress- free lives. To enjoy everything, and to have it all. But pause here and read that quote on top of this paper. True and impact ful living is all about our choices and sacrifices. Like they said ‘we cannot eat our cake and have it’ we are created to be youthful and useful in the hands of God. When I say useful in the hands of God I am not saying you must be a Prayer Warrior in your church, or pastor, or a prophet or prophetess. All I am saying is that God must be using you to touch and changing people’s lives. Like I wrote in my little article titled ‘Man of Value’. I noted that we are not truly living until we are of value to our home, community and our world. It is a sad thing that young people have sold their usefulness and values to the Devil. He is now using them to fulfill his own mission here on earth. For how long shall we continue to live ignorantly? For how long shall be live in darkness. Jesus said ‘Ye are the light of the world... a city on the hill that cannot be hid, Let you so shine amongst men that they may your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven’ Many young people can sing but they had decided to use that ability to lure people into sin. Many can dance but you only find them in night clubs and hotels, many can talk, but they have made up their mind to gossip, many young people can persuade people but they use it to persuade others into doing ungodly things, many can write but you only see them write love letter and post fetish comment on their face book walls, many ladies are beautiful but they use that as an instrument to seduce men.

Like someone once said ‘Youthfulness is only a journey, a phase that we pass through to fulfill our assignments here on earth’ what he is trying to say is that we will not remain young for ever. To be youthful is a medium, a chance for us to deliver our mandate her on earth we shall later go to our creator to give account. Solomon had all he wanted, he had women, gold and silver, wealth and wisdom, and he still said all was like ‘chasing the wind ‘Vanity upon vanity’. He gave an antidote to vanity he said ‘Remember now thy creator in the days of your youth’ and it is only when we remember God in our youthful age can he make us useful in life. So all those things you are chasing after, the money, the girls, the land, the fame are all of no use. It is our positive influence that makes us useful in life. You can be a Doctor and still be useful, a lawyer, an Engineer, a teacher you name it. What matters most is that you depart from evil and live exemplary lives, lives that please God. Many youths out there are perishing, they are dying of ignorance.
Always remember, we are created to be useful so that was why God decided to make us youths, strong and agile in other we could have enough time to pursue and deliver the details of our assignment here on earth. Wake up, even if you have fallen many times, dust up yourself and move on. God is always there to en-grace us. Take charge and deliver your destiny