No, I haven’t gone mad. But am entertaining the thought. Well not a “cheng – cheng” okada and not one of those speed bikes but a moped. Why? Because they are convenient. Today after my car decided to overheat for like the 10th time this month, I had to park it on the way to work, and hitch an okada to VI from Lekki. Why? Well I was late for work. I was not going to get a cab in the traffic. And if I entered the traffic it would take me another hour to get to work. So I thought sod it, I will get on an okada Now this is not the first time I used an Okada. But I’ve always restricted our previous dalliances to residential areas where the chances of being mauled down by a psychotic driver are as slim as they can get in Lagos. Anyway, so up I jumped on the okada and off to VI I went. And you know what, the journey just flew by. It didn’t even take up to 10 mins and that got me thinking, maybe this motorcycle thing ain’t such a bad idea.
Ok. Yes I know the dangers. Its fine (well as good as it can get) driving a motor cycle in Lagos when there is traffic and people aren’t speeding as if their lives depended on it. But what happens when the roads are free, at night when the street lights are not working and its pouring with rain. Hmmmmmm!!!!!!! The voice of reason. But I do like the idea of be on a moped waving at people as I breeze past the traffic.
You know what maybe I want the wrong thing. Maybe I should work towards getting a helicopter instead
Happy Friday people.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Super Mario Christians
I was doing some reflection over the weekend and strangely found a link between the Nintendo game "Super Mario Bros" and christianity. Please dont laugh :)
Ok here i go. The thing about Super Mario was that the game had many levels. At the end of each level, after you have fended off the routine baddies and escaped the different traps, there was an evil boss. To move up to the next level you had to defeat the evil boss for that level. Your ability to move up levels and finish the game requires not just your skillfulness but also perseverance when you seem stuck on one level to keep on playing the game and not give up.
You also get items that help you win the game e.g. the star that makes you invisible or the mushroom that makes you bigger. Ok, so where am i going with this. The Christian walk is exactly similar. The word of God and prayer are our "stars" and "mushrooms" which we use to navigate the storms of life. To reach the higher levels of God's plans for our lives will require us utilising this power to conquer the bigger challenges and trials that come will our way.
Men this is so fluffy even by my standards but hopefully gets the point across.
Take care peeps
Ok here i go. The thing about Super Mario was that the game had many levels. At the end of each level, after you have fended off the routine baddies and escaped the different traps, there was an evil boss. To move up to the next level you had to defeat the evil boss for that level. Your ability to move up levels and finish the game requires not just your skillfulness but also perseverance when you seem stuck on one level to keep on playing the game and not give up.
You also get items that help you win the game e.g. the star that makes you invisible or the mushroom that makes you bigger. Ok, so where am i going with this. The Christian walk is exactly similar. The word of God and prayer are our "stars" and "mushrooms" which we use to navigate the storms of life. To reach the higher levels of God's plans for our lives will require us utilising this power to conquer the bigger challenges and trials that come will our way.
Men this is so fluffy even by my standards but hopefully gets the point across.
Take care peeps
Thursday, November 15, 2007
You Rang My Lord
Am thinking of becoming a butler. Well, not in the conventional sense. I stumbled on this verse which hopefully will explain things better:
LUKE 9:24
24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.
I said I wanted “God control” in my last post. But what does that entail? How can I make myself subservient? How can I lose my life for His sake? I suppose it’s about being willing to sacrifice my personal comfort for Him. Spend time with Him even though am tired or busy. Read my bible with a torch even when NEPA strikes yet again. Figure out ways of helping His ministry on earth even though it would significantly affect my free time and finances.
I also need to ask for his guidance in everything I do. When am confronted with choices, requests and decisions I should ask “God, what do you want me to do?”
It also seems like for me to lose myself to God; I will have to lose myself to people. God is love and I need to radiate that love. The love which he has showered on me needs to also flow out through me. I need to create that mentality of living for God. Letting him lead during the day in my dealings with people and situations I face.
The only issue I struggle with about being a servant is the scope for being treated, well like a servant. If you always turn the other cheek for people, how do you stop them from taking advantage of you? Of taking you for granted. Is it a pride thing, is it a fear of being hurt or is it running away from an area of vulnerability? Well maybe a bit of everything.
Is it an area I will have to work on? Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its just another journey I need to take in my quest to become the person God wants me to be.
Anyhow folks easy.
LUKE 9:24
24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.
I said I wanted “God control” in my last post. But what does that entail? How can I make myself subservient? How can I lose my life for His sake? I suppose it’s about being willing to sacrifice my personal comfort for Him. Spend time with Him even though am tired or busy. Read my bible with a torch even when NEPA strikes yet again. Figure out ways of helping His ministry on earth even though it would significantly affect my free time and finances.
I also need to ask for his guidance in everything I do. When am confronted with choices, requests and decisions I should ask “God, what do you want me to do?”
It also seems like for me to lose myself to God; I will have to lose myself to people. God is love and I need to radiate that love. The love which he has showered on me needs to also flow out through me. I need to create that mentality of living for God. Letting him lead during the day in my dealings with people and situations I face.
The only issue I struggle with about being a servant is the scope for being treated, well like a servant. If you always turn the other cheek for people, how do you stop them from taking advantage of you? Of taking you for granted. Is it a pride thing, is it a fear of being hurt or is it running away from an area of vulnerability? Well maybe a bit of everything.
Is it an area I will have to work on? Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its just another journey I need to take in my quest to become the person God wants me to be.
Anyhow folks easy.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Death to Self
A few friends of mine have given me some feedback which i really appreciate. While i would like to think of myself as being very focussed there is also a huge tendency to be self-orientated. Always thinking of one's self, one's career, one's goals and relegating everyone and everything else to the background. After reflecting on this, i believe this is an area i need to work on. The world is a lot bigger than "Garageboy" and doesnt revolve around me. There a few "self areas" i need to deal with including:
Self-control:
Strangely enough i don't need self-control, i need God control. The whole idea of me relying on my willpower to master my emotions and fight temptations is exactly the reason why i fail repeatedly. I need to surrender all my efforts to God and let him come into my life and take control.
Selfishness
I need not only to help others when they come to meet me but instead be proactive and help people who are in need. I shouldnt get so preoccupied with my own goals that i dont have time for other people. Need to be more disposed to actively helping other people achieve their own goals as well.
Self -centered
In my quest to attain my goals i should not loose sight of the bigger picture of life. Its not all about me and my scary goal-oriented behaviour. There are actually other people on this planet apart from me and maybe i should spend more time trying to meet them. :)
Well i suppose i just need to keep working on myself and carry a "Help Available if needed" sign on my back to get the message across :)
Anyhow peeps easy!!!!!!!!!!!
Self-control:
Strangely enough i don't need self-control, i need God control. The whole idea of me relying on my willpower to master my emotions and fight temptations is exactly the reason why i fail repeatedly. I need to surrender all my efforts to God and let him come into my life and take control.
Selfishness
I need not only to help others when they come to meet me but instead be proactive and help people who are in need. I shouldnt get so preoccupied with my own goals that i dont have time for other people. Need to be more disposed to actively helping other people achieve their own goals as well.
Self -centered
In my quest to attain my goals i should not loose sight of the bigger picture of life. Its not all about me and my scary goal-oriented behaviour. There are actually other people on this planet apart from me and maybe i should spend more time trying to meet them. :)
Well i suppose i just need to keep working on myself and carry a "Help Available if needed" sign on my back to get the message across :)
Anyhow peeps easy!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
One step at a time
I suppose it is only human to expect complex solutions to complex problems. Ive been doing a lot of reflection recently about various aspects of my life. Trying to glimpse into my future. Trying to figure out God's plan for me. But you know what? You only figure out that God reveals his plan for your life one day at a time. There is always a danger that while looking forward to the future, you forget about the present. Dreams are sweet but reality bites. Just have to take everything one step at a time. One day at a time. He has sorted everything out. Need to stop trying to control everything and leave it to Him instead. Need to have faith that God is in control and knows whats best for me. All i need to do is to stay close to Him and let him guide me.
Its so funny that a complex problem has such a simple solution. Or does the simple solution show it actually isnt such a big problem in the first place. Puts it into perspective i suppose.
Anyhow folks easy.
Its so funny that a complex problem has such a simple solution. Or does the simple solution show it actually isnt such a big problem in the first place. Puts it into perspective i suppose.
Anyhow folks easy.
Garageboy at the Great IFE
I went to OAU a few weeks back. Apart from the air being so clean that as a Lagosian your lungs struggle to process the pure oxygen free from carbon monoxide, there were a few things that caught my attention.
- The size of the place. Wow it was HUGE!!!!!!!!!
- The amount of church activities going on. Apparently there are over 70 different church fellowships
- The students who i met
Its the final point that struck me the most. People are constantly whining about the state of our education system in this country but i met some fantastic people who will hold their own with any student anywhere in the world. I was particularly impressed by their ability to run and organise events independently. Was really blown away especially as i spent my universities days in "other activities".
Then that got me thinking. What exactly constitutes a "good education"? What really is the purpose of university? What changes do we expect in the individual from the day they join to the day they graduate? To be honest, in my opinion the whole concept of university should be less about equipping you with knowledge but more concerned with developing you with the skills you will need in the "real world'. Knowledge can always be acquired. Attitude and drive not so. And thats what makes you succeed outside. Nobody wants a straight A's efiko who cant relate to other people, lead a team or be remotely organised. Don't get me wrong, am not saying academics are not important. But they are just one part of the whole university experience. The whole idea should be to develop well rounded balanced individuals. Any skew to any particular extreme is just as bad as the other.
But i was also surprised by how people with such a bright future where oblivious to what lies ahead for them. This is probably the best time to a Nigerian graduate for a decade. Does that mean its gonna be a bed of roses. No. But it does mean the rose bush has less thorns. The are more opportunities in this country now than for a very very long time.
Anyhow it was great to go to IFE. To see the original vision that was laid there. Visionary leadership once lived in this country and who says it cannot rise up again.
Anyhow folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Easy!!!!!!!!!
- The size of the place. Wow it was HUGE!!!!!!!!!
- The amount of church activities going on. Apparently there are over 70 different church fellowships
- The students who i met
Its the final point that struck me the most. People are constantly whining about the state of our education system in this country but i met some fantastic people who will hold their own with any student anywhere in the world. I was particularly impressed by their ability to run and organise events independently. Was really blown away especially as i spent my universities days in "other activities".
Then that got me thinking. What exactly constitutes a "good education"? What really is the purpose of university? What changes do we expect in the individual from the day they join to the day they graduate? To be honest, in my opinion the whole concept of university should be less about equipping you with knowledge but more concerned with developing you with the skills you will need in the "real world'. Knowledge can always be acquired. Attitude and drive not so. And thats what makes you succeed outside. Nobody wants a straight A's efiko who cant relate to other people, lead a team or be remotely organised. Don't get me wrong, am not saying academics are not important. But they are just one part of the whole university experience. The whole idea should be to develop well rounded balanced individuals. Any skew to any particular extreme is just as bad as the other.
But i was also surprised by how people with such a bright future where oblivious to what lies ahead for them. This is probably the best time to a Nigerian graduate for a decade. Does that mean its gonna be a bed of roses. No. But it does mean the rose bush has less thorns. The are more opportunities in this country now than for a very very long time.
Anyhow it was great to go to IFE. To see the original vision that was laid there. Visionary leadership once lived in this country and who says it cannot rise up again.
Anyhow folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Easy!!!!!!!!!
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