Zeal

I've been questioning myself for a while now about my fervor and passion for God and his business. I heard someone say that when he was "in the world" he was so into it, relentless in rocking life; "it only makes perfect sense" he said "to be equally or even more relentless in the things of God".

I've been feeling that statement since he said it. To be Relentless and Zealous for Christ.

It's not even so much the big and important things, it's more of the everyday life stuff. Like showing up to work on time, but being late to church; like the ease of talking about celebs and tv shows instead of using the breath to discuss the word of God. Like in every relationship, it's the little things you do that show you care, that show you're always thinking about it and that it affects your every decision.

Saints tire me these days. Not that I've acheived, cos Lord knows what a mess i am without Him, but I don't see fire, I don't see the passion of Christ returned with the same intensity. Zionists should be all up in the Father's business, but it almost seems like we gotta beg 'em to lift a finger to support christian events/things/issues/whatever. Your treasure is where your heart is and think about where most of your time, effort and money goes into...its what you'll reap. Best believe if you spending time and money on clothes and shoes...I'm not sure what you plan on reaping. If you put faithfulness into watching ur favorite tv show...well that's time you could spend connecting wit the father, and if you put no effort and sweat into advancing God's kingdom here on earth, do you honestly think it'll be "all good"? on the last day? You'll get into heaven sure, but you built nuthing and will receive nuthing.

Bible says if you're faithful in little, God will give you more. If saints can't show that they can handle sumthin as little as 1nce a week prayer, or mtg or witnessing or whatever, God will not give them anything, becos they've shown they can't be trusted. I won't give $100 to someone i previously gave $10 and blew it or wasted it.

Anyways i know we all striving but lets step it up to the next level. Putting off all the stupidity and trivial stuff we pay attention to and give our time and hearts and money to. That trumpet will sound one of these days, and then we'll all know whatz up.

Tradition is Overrated?

oh my God, I'm going to make a lotta people mad with this post...

Now that I've gotten ur attention, lemme explain my title. I'm originally African and as every African knows, they value tradition and culture A LOT. Its always "it's our culture" or "that is the way it has always been" or "our tradition teaches us to do it like this" and so on. There is no quicker way to turn me off than to tell me "a woman should know how to cook". Not many statements annoy me as much as this one does. Now i do know how to whip up in the kitchen but sometimes I simply refuse to do it cos of the stereotype attached to it.

What I'm tryn to say is there's so many aspects of tradition that we hold on to that we really need to let go of.

What I am not saying is to turn ur back on ur roots and forget ur culture. No. Because to know where you're coming from is to know where you're going. Culture is precious and should be protected, celebrated, cherished and passed on. Festivals and historical re-enactments are all good, I'm not saying kick them out. Storytelling, drumming, singing, the proverbs, the clothes etc are such wonderful aspects of the African tradition, value them.

But those aspects of tradition that hold us back, we needs to let go of. Like those that give women little rights in the society, those that burden us with stereotypes, those that practice animism, those that marry children off, those that allow women to be treated inhumanly, those that misuse and hence endanger enviromental resources, those that practice barbaric rituals, those that will not allow africa to progress out into the 21st century.

and also i direct this part at a lot of older africans i meet when i'm out with my parents that hassle me for wearing jeans instead of traditional clothes: Iro and buba; and frown at me when i say "good-evening instead of Eka-sumthin. For the others who look @ me funny and almost angry cos I'm in a profession they consider foreign. For the rest who won't talk to me cos "I look and sound African-American" and the last who can't understand why I rap and do spoken-word, "Africans don't do that".

Before I'm a woman, and before I'm Nigerian, and before I'm anything else, I'm a christian.

That's why no matter how many african shows and drives and events take place, if there's a gospel thing happening somewhere else, that's where I'll be. Don't get me wrong I love and appreciate where I'm from (i proclaim it loudly in the post "the Africa I know", see archives) but my goal in life is not primarily to uplift Africa, but to uplift Jesus. If raising his name comes in the process of my reppin' my roots, wonderful. You might see me flying the colors but it is not my daily banner, the love of Jesus and his cross is my flag. The bible says "in all things put God first" and also "seek first the kingdom of God".

So lets just keep things in perspective. Love ur culture, honor and uphold ur tradition. Let go of long-held systems that hinder and burdern us. No matter what God comes 1st.