HOPE IN THE FACE OF HOPELESSNESS! – Abbe
These are trying times. The complexities of Nigeria’s problems are immeasurable. Whether we want to admit it or not, we went through very tough and turbulent times in the year 2020. It seems as though every region of Nigeria is in turmoil. Our government is bereft of ideas that proffer solutions and do not have answers to the myriads of challenges facing us as a Nation. Political and social divisions have widened particularly in 2020. If not for God, those of us who made it to this New Year may probably have gone with the tide of 2020, but glory be to God that he spared our lives to witness the beginning of another year despite the ordeal we went through last year. May His name be praised forever. Let us boldly exclaim just like the Psalmist that – ‘If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel (Nigeria) say,’ Psalm 124: 1.
As we enter a New Year, we need God more than ever before. Our country is experiencing a most difficult time, almost on the edge of a precipice. I want to enjoin the Church to continue to pray fervently so as to ensure that the country does not crash. To be candid, nothing seems to be working in the country. Imagine a man at 60 still crawling. Nigeria is indeed a paradox. It is a country of five talents that is being governed by ‘one talent’ leaders. The fact that good and purposeful political leadership is indispensable in the development of a country cannot be controverted. We are stuck in the mud of underdevelopment today because we lack such leadership in our country. As a people we have suffered a lot in the hands of our so-called political leaders! Rather than providing the citizenry with basic amenities that will make life more meaningful they continue to enrich themselves and their children and right before their very eyes, Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping, rape, ritual killings, corruption and the likes continue to thrive. We should not be surprised that the air is filled with a lot of protests and resentment by the people because the masses are not getting the dividends of democracy. The reaction that is emanating from the masses is in consonance with the scriptures, which says, ‘when the righteous thrive, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan,’ Proverbs 29: 2.
As we enter into 2021, I believe God will stand by us and fight our battles for us. In the words of the American tele-evangelist and author, Robert Schuller, ‘tough times never last but tough people do.’ We shall ride over the storms and come out victorious at the end the day. Most people were hopeless in 2020 as a result of the many negative life situations that dashed our hopes. I believe God will restore our hope in 2021, because He is the source of hope and He will surely see us through in this New Year in Jesus Name. It is time for us to go back to the drawing board and amend our ways. Let us all draw closer to God and totally depend on Him for our survival. It is certain that with Him on our side we shall conquer if we faint not, Hebrews 4: 15 – 16.
As I welcome you into 2021, it is my sincere prayers that the year will be a wonderful one for us. May the year be filled with God’s renewed hope and sufficient grace to overcome the challenges of life. And as we draw closer to know Him the more, may the joy of knowing Him fill our hearts, shape our schedules, and grace every moment of our days throughout the year in Jesus Name. Happy New Year!
His Eminence, Julius Olayinka Osayande Abbe
The Primate of The African Church
