LOVING YOUR ENEMIES

 “But I say to you, Love your enemies,

 bless those who curse you,

 do good to those who hate you, 

 and pray for those who persecute you”.

  Matthew 5:44

                   

If we had our way, we would kill the killers in this country, those who sexually exploit children, those who commit acts of violence, all those who spew racist hatred and everyone who hurts people for no reason.

I remember in my JSS2, where these two boys in my class were my arch enemies. I hated them because they bullied me, made life miserable for me, threatened me, and constantly made me unhappy with their piercing words of jest. I wanted so badly to retaliate. Every time their torture started, I would wish I could do something to just end their existence on the spot and have my peace of mind because I mean, what did I do so wrong to deserve all that bullying?

Like every other person who had or has an enemy, there is a fresh rage that springs up in you every time you think of them. If we had our way, we would get back at every single person who back-stabbed us, lied against us, cheated us, hurt us emotionally, or hurt someone dear to us. We just want to snuff out life from them so badly, and that’s the thing.

Hate consumes the hater, and not the hated. I was there hating on them when they had no idea I hated on them that much. I was carrying so much bitterness inside and that toxin was affecting ME, NOT THEM.

Carrying hate on your inside, they say, is like drinking poison, and expecting it to harm someone else. That’s an illusion, you are only hurting yourself. Love your enemies, because hating them is an emotion that eats you up. Many times, they never get a chance to know how much they actually hurt you.

There can be no love without forgiveness. Forgive sets you free from being bound in your past. The hurt might have been so deep, and oh, I know it can be really hard, but you can let it go today. Forgive them even as your heavenly Father has forgiven you. Let God do the revenge, he says we should leave vengeance to him. The boys who bullied me eventually got expelled from the school, much to my surprise. I didn’t know the moment I left it in God’s hand that he was going to show up for me.

Love your enemies through good deeds and prayers. That way, you are heaping hot coals on their head. Many times, I have seen people come to Christ and surrender out of the guilt of been loved by those they have hurt so badly. God loves all of us by being good to us even though we don’t deserve it. Jesus asks us to do the same. Whether it’s something as simple as a courteous greeting, a smile at them or even helping them, we need to reflect God’s love by being good to our enemies. 

In addition to doing good, we must pray for those who persecute us. The best prayer request will be for their salvation. If they are Christians, the best prayer request will be for their walk with God.

We must love our enemies through good deeds, through prayer, and through allowing God alone to avenge the wrongs done to us – all through the grace of God and for the glory of God.

Do we know any other ways to love our enemies? Let’s feel free to share!

Get in touch with me at ajaregina33@gmail.com

THE LITTLE THINGS...

Today. Today was deep for me. I really got a chance to reflect on what this life really is about, on how privileged we are to have some of the things we have, that we don’t realize we have, and so we take them for granted. 

Let me give you a typical example. Ninety percent of you reading this article can readily answer the question ‘who am I’? You know your surname, you know your state of origin, you know the hospital where you were born, and it’s even no big deal to you, at least not yet.

Working with orphaned children has taught me that these little things are big blessings- knowing who you are, where you come from, who your parents are, and the rest. Many of them battle with what is called "Identity Crisis". Many of them ask the question 'Who am I?" No parents, no family members, no state of origin, no surname, no sibling…they don't know who they are and they do not belong to anybody unless and until they are adopted out, then they can associate totally with their new family.

Identity Crisis has been identified to be one of the greatest causes of depression, low self-esteem and self-pity in orphaned children who grow up in orphanages. When I interact with them, they often ask me personal questions like “Aunty, they always make fun of me in my class that I live in an orphanage where everybody is my mummy and daddy. What should I do?” This just goes on to give us a little clue of what is going on in their minds, and more.

And with every question they ask, I try to make them see that by human explanation, they may have been here by accident, but by divine arrangement, they are here on purpose. Stars that are destined to shine by God and illuminate their generation. Sometimes it’s not always easy, but it is always worth it.

Let’s cultivate the habit of thanking God for the seemingly ‘little things’ and encouraging and praying for others who do not have what we have. It is the best service you can render to humanity.

Here are some pictures from my visit to Vigilante Heart Charitable society, Ajah Lagos, talking to the kids on ‘Self Esteem’. Will post more pictures when i get them.

PS: our volunteers weren’t able to make it because it’s a working day, and they were all at work. (Don’t ask me how I escaped work. Hehehehe)

Get in touch with me at reginauzomafoundation@gmail.com for more information or details.

FINDING YOUR OWN SPACE

FINDING YOUR OWN SPACE.

You can’t fit in everywhere.

There has to be a space where you were created to be in and function effectively there.

Be content with it.

Don’t feel you aren’t good enough. Because you were made in the image and likeness of a God who is good enough.

Just embrace who you are and love your place.

Never compare your life with any other or wish you were another. Never look at a person and wish you were him or her.

Comparison is the thief of potential. It cripples you and constantly has you doubting yourself.

We all can’t be everything, and that’s what makes it even all the more special.

That’s what makes your flavor bud because not everyone has it.

Just embrace who you are and love your place.

                          

Why do you think your neighbor is better than you?

The garden always looks better from afar.

That person is just someone that has found their space and is cultivating it.

You too can. Don’t get too busy admiring another person’s lawn that you can’t even see that you have the raw materials to build yours too, and even better.

Just embrace who you are and love your place.

God has you exactly where he wants you to be.

Harness all the potential he has put in you

Shine your light and let it burn bright

Be yourself, because there is beauty in your uniqueness.

I remember once upon a time

When I didn’t see the abilities in me

I rarely functioned because I doubted I could get it right

It’s sad how much we deny ourselves when we are constantly forcing to fit into another man’s corner.

Why?

What’s wrong with you the way you are?

Let me answer that. Nothing!

You just need to see differently like I began to.

The world is waiting for you daily as the clock ticks.

You know why?

Because it has just one of you.

Don’t each of the stars radiate in their own unique way?

Just embrace who you are and love your place.

I knew who I wanted to be but I wasn’t sure I could get there, because my eyes were too busy roaming to look for who I felt was doing it better and that would cripple me. Every time I wanted to try, I would say “There is no point”. How many times have you said that to yourself and how many times has that hindered you?

Well, there is a point. And that point is that you are unique in your own way, and though you may have the exact same gift as another, your destiny is still different. Your audience in life is different. Your impact too will be different.

Nothing else brings joy and fulfillment like walking your own path, doing your own thing and coloring your own space…

Just embrace who you are and love your place.

It’s your unique rhythm. Find it, and sing it to the world!