MONDAY MORNING MEDITATION: Between a Prayer and a Cheque But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. ~ Deuteronomy 8:18, NIV ¶ Yesterday evening, a very passionate young woman SOSed me from a state up north. She lamented the appalling state of the classrooms over there. She urgently needs computers, desks and chairs for those children whose only misfortune was having been born in Nigeria. She wants to initiate a leadership club to raise a generation who might be willing to take responsibility and turn the backwardness of the region. After she finished lamenting her helplessness, I felt so ashamed to say, Ill pray about it. Just how many things can I get involved in? But be honest with me, what does this girl need right now, a prayer or a cheque? ¶ I hate to spoil your theology, but I have long discovered that on this side of eternity, some things respond better to a cheque than a prayer. ••• Two weeks ago, I was invited to a private party in the city of Lagos. At that event, I counted at least 4 billionaires: Dangote, Jim Ovia, Tonye Cole, Leo Stan Ekeh and a few others lesser known to the public. There were dozens of influencers in the room - men and women who determine the fate of lesser mortals. Men who say, Import! and it is imported, Export, and it is exported. Truly, Man has been given godlike powers by God Himself. We were made just a little lower than angels. Yet, men invest their lifetime fascination on angels and demons instead of marveling at themselves. ••• I left the party depressed. Up till that moment, I had told everyone that we were all created equal. However, as I beheld the energy dynamics in the room, I had my doubts. When Dangote, wealthiest man in Africa, made his appearance, the room instantly became drenched in an invisible, high velocity centrifuge that spiraled radially toward him. I bent over and whispered to a fellow mortal by my side, Dont you think money has some frightening energy! The man was too numb to respond. He just nodded absentmindedly. ••• Dont get me wrong. I am not saying that I am not happy with who I am. All I am saying is that context can be a humbling experience. In one place, you are the greatest, the star, the man or woman of the year. At another, no one will notice you except an angry usher kicks you under a magnifying glass by splashing red wine on your bow tie or something lower on the scale of embarrassment. ¶ Also, I am not saying we should compare ourselves to others - thats a foolish preoccupation. I am saying that its okay to feel challenged by the accomplishments of others. Why? Because capacity is not a constant. ••• Are opportunities equal? ••• Maybe not, but who can measure the power of an inspired soul? Isnt that how a 15-year old Ugandan student, now 30, became the youngest billionaire in Africa? He started by selling computers to his classmates. Fifteen years later, Ashish Thakkars business is in 22 African countries and counting. You may not have opportunity but you do have spirit. Isnt that fair enough? ¶ As I was saying, I left the party with the unanswered question: What does it take to play in the Big League? Influence is a critical asset. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah, Daniel, Esther, Mordecai, David, Paul, name them … were people of influence. Their interventions marked a triumph of righteousness, peace and prosperity. In our time, our governors have retinues of payroll men of God, prophets and prayer consultants. And I keep wondering, What do these payroll prophets tell these governors? Why is our land tormented by such a dearth of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost? ••• If we are not able to influence education, financial services, legislation and politics, we will soon find ourselves going to jail for the freedoms we currently take for granted. Moreover, the less our influence, the more our prayer points and night vigils. The difference between those billionaires and the rest of us is that when there is something to do, they do first and pray later. In our case, we pray first, and do later, if ever. If they want to get anything done, they dont hold endless vigils and rowdy bazaars. They dont send out envelopes soliciting cheerful givers. They simply write a cheque! Then, they can go ahead and pray … prayer of thanksgiving, that is. The American declaration of independence resonates accurately with Deuteronomy 8:18, our meditation verse, but after that private party, I modified the declaration thus: ≈ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights … BUT only a few ever bother to unearth their abilities and develop the courage to exercise their unalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness… ≈ Otherwise, explain how 86 individuals control 50% of the planets resources! ••• Throughout this week, I invite you to ponder that great question: What does it take to play in the Big League? What does it take to become a person of influence for Gods kingdom? ••• What does it take to pray when it is time to pray, and write a cheque when it is time to write a cheque? For sad is the man who can only pray when he should write a cheque, and can only write a cheque when he should pray. ••• For while heaven cannot be bought with a cheque, taking dominion on earth cannot be done by prayer alone. You need a dose of wisdom and high quality work. I love you. Do have an awesome week … and be healthy, wealthy and wise!
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 07:23:02 +0000
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