We always ask ourselves, what is it all about? We wonder why this and why that. It's just so amazing how we are so worried about these little things, these small details of life... But what's really true is that none of all these things we value and care about so much matter.
But recently I found out what really matters. And what we should really be concerned about. See there are a lot of children out there suffering. They don't have any food to eat, no place to sleep, and nobody to care for them. It's not only children, there are people without any hope, because when they look at their circumstances they have no where and no one to turn to. There are people, children out there without a hope for tomorrow, even yet for today, for the next minute. They are hopeless and there's basically nothing they can do about it! There are people who wake up everyday knowing that that will be their last day, some even wish that their next breath would be the last. It's so sad to know, that while there are people around us or even us ourselves with all these resources and these privileges, most of which we don't even use or most of all need. While there are people who can't have even those that we call "the basics of lie".To mean that one can't survive without them. Those things that some of us take for granted. Things we never ever even think about. Those that we get naturally, or so we think, there are some people who would kill for even a minute of supply of those things that we take for granted.
And this is what its all about. Its about those that have hope providing hope for those who don't. Its about those that have more than what they need, even those that have what they need to share with those that don't have. Its about those who have a reason to smile to help those that lost their smile, mostly by giving something or a reason for them to smile.
And yes, that/this is a very valid reason to live for. We should live to compliment and help out each other. And this also, there are many times we think we are at our worst, when we think there could never be anyone more miserable than we are. However, we should know that ohhhhh there is always someone if not even many who are worse than us, who are in worse situations. But thats not the good news, the good news is, no matter how bad you think things are for you, no matter how miserable you think you are, you are still capable and so able to help someone, at least one person!
When it comes to faith, it takes a whole different meaning. We are so preoccupied with the laws of the Bible, with all the signs and wonders. We are so caught up in these little things that we've completely lost sight of what faith in God is all about. We've lost the true meaning of worship. And worst of all, we've lost the true identity of God, Christ....
And what's even more sad is that instead of us searching for the true meaning and reason for faith, we just dig ourselves deeper into the hole of deception, misconception and darkness. In fact, for some its even in this search that we find ourselves more lost, and thus drifting further and further away from what truly matters.
We are so lost despite of the clarity of the life of Christ. As we read the Bible or hear the story of Jesus, its all about nothing else but redemption!
Its about giving, even to those you think don't deserve to be given, its about loving, loving even those that we think don't deserve to be loved. And you know it's pretty explicit in the Bible that we are called to be like Jesus.
Now, one doesn't really have to believe in Jesus to see that he is a true model of how true humanity should be, how we are supposed to be. Even for those who don't believe in God, the simple arrangement of nature but for those with to help those without!
And we see this in the perfect character and personality of Jesus Christ!
And the Bible puts it the best way it can ever be put. That these two commandments I give to you; the greatest of them is that you shall love the Lord your God with all your strength, hear, and soul. And the second is that you shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.
So, this is a call to all humanity, to all of us, that we should start living for!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Join the revolution
Throughout human history, the idea of revolution has always excited people. Revolutions have rallied those in search of a cause larger than themselves and have given previously aimless men and women a cause they are willing to die for. They have birthed great leaders and they have literally changed the world.
A revolution is a sudden radical and complete change from the way things are normally done. Revolutionaries are usually ignited by one person or a very small group of people who are unwilling to continue living the way they have lived in the past. They believe that something can change and must change and they keep promoting their ideas until a groundswell begins and ultimately changes the situation, often in radical ways.
Revolutions also took place as outdated, ineffective systems or ways of doing things were replaced and old ways of thinking gave way to new ideas.
In Africa, we have had our own share of revolutions, such as the armed revolution of the ANC in South Africa to end Apartheid or the emancipation of the Burkina Faso’s economy and well being in 1980s. These revolutions all had a common trait; they were started by Young Visionaries who were tired of the way the world was and were fighting for the way the world should be. Young intellectuals like Nelson Mandela “madiba”, Steve Biko, and others believed in a South Africa that was free from racial discrimination and institutionalized hatred, and they spent their lives fighting for a more just and a better world for all South Africans. In Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara, a charismatic leader, fought against the injustice of poverty and women discrimination in his country and even though he’s a fallen soldier I believe that Africa has never had such a selfless and committed leader.
These revolutions have inspired human progress .People have been able to live more satisfactory lives because of the courage and sacrifice of their fore fathers.. Because of the efforts of Mandela and the ANC leaders, people in South Africa are now living free and racial segregation is no longer a basis for restriction of rights.
Thomas Jefferson said: “every generation needs a new revolution”.
So one might wonder, what is our revolution? What is going to be written about our generation in textbooks and history books and if 50 years from now our kids ask us what we did, what are we going to say?
I believe that we live in very exciting times, times where the world is run by technology that connects all corners of the world. Now you find Rwandese students coming together to pray in Kinyarwanda, and in a city in India, we find people being able to communicate through Facebook , Hi5, MSN,and other social networks. As an old saying in our mother tongue goes, “ abapfuye bagiye vuba".
We also live in a time where leaders like Paul Kagame are talking about the development of Africa. For many centuries, starting from the conference in Berlin in the late 19th century, Africa has always been seen as a lost cause. Corruption, poverty, and disease have long kept our continent bound in “darkness” - our continent has always been known as “the dark continent”.
But today, even though we still hear of cases of corruption and high child mortality rates, AIDS, and other disasters, things are different in Africa today. Today we have leaders like Paul Kagame who are aiming at not being dependent on foreign aid in a matter of a generation’s time. There are also economists like Dambisa Moyo and Jacqueline Novogratz who are bringing new ideas on how to move Africa from extreme poverty to prosperity. But what if that was our revolution? What if our revolution was one that will move Africa to the place it truly deserves, a place of dignity and respect?I have decided to call this revolution, the “HOPE REVOLUTION”. This revolution will be a revolution more complicated but yet more fulfilling than any other that came before. It will be complicated because it would require books and knowledge instead of guns and bullets that we have seen in the past. It would require innovation and critical thinking rather than blind obedience. This revolution will however require far more than brain power but also a healthy heart. It will require love over hate , and generosity coupled with sacrifice over greed and selfishness! This Revolution will create a new generation of selfless and courageous young people.
However, all of this will not come easily because people by nature oppose change; it will require faith, hope and love. These three principles that are usually linked to the Bible but are principles that should lead every person. Faith is our belief that if we do what is right and never give up things will get better or things will change. Hope is the belief that better days are ahead if we are willing to work for it, fight for it and sacrifice for it. And finally love is the main reason we do what we do, for our kinsmen and our country.
A revolution is a sudden radical and complete change from the way things are normally done. Revolutionaries are usually ignited by one person or a very small group of people who are unwilling to continue living the way they have lived in the past. They believe that something can change and must change and they keep promoting their ideas until a groundswell begins and ultimately changes the situation, often in radical ways.
Revolutions also took place as outdated, ineffective systems or ways of doing things were replaced and old ways of thinking gave way to new ideas.
In Africa, we have had our own share of revolutions, such as the armed revolution of the ANC in South Africa to end Apartheid or the emancipation of the Burkina Faso’s economy and well being in 1980s. These revolutions all had a common trait; they were started by Young Visionaries who were tired of the way the world was and were fighting for the way the world should be. Young intellectuals like Nelson Mandela “madiba”, Steve Biko, and others believed in a South Africa that was free from racial discrimination and institutionalized hatred, and they spent their lives fighting for a more just and a better world for all South Africans. In Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara, a charismatic leader, fought against the injustice of poverty and women discrimination in his country and even though he’s a fallen soldier I believe that Africa has never had such a selfless and committed leader.
These revolutions have inspired human progress .People have been able to live more satisfactory lives because of the courage and sacrifice of their fore fathers.. Because of the efforts of Mandela and the ANC leaders, people in South Africa are now living free and racial segregation is no longer a basis for restriction of rights.
Thomas Jefferson said: “every generation needs a new revolution”.
So one might wonder, what is our revolution? What is going to be written about our generation in textbooks and history books and if 50 years from now our kids ask us what we did, what are we going to say?
I believe that we live in very exciting times, times where the world is run by technology that connects all corners of the world. Now you find Rwandese students coming together to pray in Kinyarwanda, and in a city in India, we find people being able to communicate through Facebook , Hi5, MSN,and other social networks. As an old saying in our mother tongue goes, “ abapfuye bagiye vuba".
We also live in a time where leaders like Paul Kagame are talking about the development of Africa. For many centuries, starting from the conference in Berlin in the late 19th century, Africa has always been seen as a lost cause. Corruption, poverty, and disease have long kept our continent bound in “darkness” - our continent has always been known as “the dark continent”.
But today, even though we still hear of cases of corruption and high child mortality rates, AIDS, and other disasters, things are different in Africa today. Today we have leaders like Paul Kagame who are aiming at not being dependent on foreign aid in a matter of a generation’s time. There are also economists like Dambisa Moyo and Jacqueline Novogratz who are bringing new ideas on how to move Africa from extreme poverty to prosperity. But what if that was our revolution? What if our revolution was one that will move Africa to the place it truly deserves, a place of dignity and respect?I have decided to call this revolution, the “HOPE REVOLUTION”. This revolution will be a revolution more complicated but yet more fulfilling than any other that came before. It will be complicated because it would require books and knowledge instead of guns and bullets that we have seen in the past. It would require innovation and critical thinking rather than blind obedience. This revolution will however require far more than brain power but also a healthy heart. It will require love over hate , and generosity coupled with sacrifice over greed and selfishness! This Revolution will create a new generation of selfless and courageous young people.
However, all of this will not come easily because people by nature oppose change; it will require faith, hope and love. These three principles that are usually linked to the Bible but are principles that should lead every person. Faith is our belief that if we do what is right and never give up things will get better or things will change. Hope is the belief that better days are ahead if we are willing to work for it, fight for it and sacrifice for it. And finally love is the main reason we do what we do, for our kinsmen and our country.
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