Life is a merry-go-round

Obituaries
sundayword:BY PROSPER TINGINI Indeed the planet earth is round and it moves in circles around the sun, to give us both light and darkness. It is of God’s creation. Our physical being also tends to move in circles, from a seed, into the darkness of the ground or womb then out into the light of […]

sundayword:BY PROSPER TINGINI

Indeed the planet earth is round and it moves in circles around the sun, to give us both light and darkness. It is of God’s creation. Our physical being also tends to move in circles, from a seed, into the darkness of the ground or womb then out into the light of world and then back into the ground from which we came (circle of life). There are also personal experiences that can shape our destinies during our living. The first black Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, had this to say in one of his public speeches (quote): “Ladies and gentlemen; I do not pretend to be older than my grandpa, but the truth is despite my age, I am old enough to confess that life is indeed a mystery. I have seen a landlord becoming a tenant before his death. I have seen the owner of ‘a Benz’ pedaling a bicycle for a meal. I know of a student who became the headmaster of his former school with most of those who taught him still teaching. I have seen a once-rejected boy becoming the breadwinner for a whole community. A once sought-after lady begging a young guy half her age to date her. A victor becoming a victim.

A driver’s conductor buying a car from his former master. A borrower recruiting the credit manager. In life, no one knows tomorrow; you can never trust life, because it is mysterious. Never ever forget, you may not know the full story, don’t be quick to judge, every coin has two sides. Treat everyone in life fairly like your own; love as such as you live. So let us be kind, not try to be smart in our own eyes; for we do not know what tomorrow holds for us . . . Life is a merry-go-round. No one knows where tomorrow finds you . . .”

In the first book of Moses, Genesis chapters 40 and 41, Joseph helped the cupbearer in prison and later the cupbearer (butler) connected Joseph with the Pharaoh of Egypt. Imagine how Portiphar’s wife (who had falsely accused him of rape and had him sent to prison), then felt when she heard that Joseph was now the Governor of Egypt. Also imagine how some of his brothers, who had conspired and sold him into slavery and lied to the father that Joseph had probably fallen victim to wild animals, then found themselves in front of him and being fed by him as the man in charge of all food granaries. Don’t ever think of going to the extreme with your offenders, they might be your rescuers tomorrow. Always remember that there is tomorrow and it will surely come. The little help you give to people today, will profit you tomorrow.

The biblical story of Job can best illustrate how personal fortunes in life could instantly turn a full circle. He was initially the greatest and richest of all the people of the east; with 7 000 sheep, 3 000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 she-asses (donkeys). He was blessed with seven sons and six daughters and he was God-fearing (Job 1:1-5). However, like a flash of lightning, all of it was gone; from richness to immediate poverty and worse.

Job’s sudden misfortune reads (Job 1:13-22); Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; and there came a messenger to Job, and said, “The oxen were ploughing and the donkeys feeding beside them; and the Sabe’ans fell upon them and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Before he also had finished speaking, there came another, and said, “The Chalde’ans formed three companies, and made a raid upon the camels and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, “Your son and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; and behold a great wind came across the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Then Job arose and tore off his robe, shaved his head, fell upon the ground and worshipped. He prayed, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did no sin or charge God with wrong (end of quote).

Chapter 2 has the continued story of further misfortune when Job was afflicted with leprosy, yet he continued to hold fast, never cursing God. He was good to all the people around him (and also prayed for his enemies), and steadfastly faithful to the Lord our God. What he had lost was restored back to him. Job 42:10 reads; And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends (some who had laughed at him) and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Indeed, like the story of Job, life can move a full circle. This is not a folktale, but a real life story which is also reminiscent of what happens when Kings or rulers who ignore or don’t listen to the suffering of their people are toppled through the military or civilian means. Don’t forget that one day you can be a ruler now and the next day a prisoner. You can be a King today and next time a servant too. Let’s always be good to one another. Life is a merry-go-round.

For those who have given up on life or on other things, please don’t despair. God works at his own pace for specific purposes. God’s ways are better than ours.

The biblical David was originally just an ordinary shepherd. He believed in himself and had faith in the Lord our God. In the end he achieved the seemingly impossible and slew the giant, Goliath. He did not see any barriers in front of him; he only saw just some obstacles. In the end he became one of the greatest kings of all times. Life runs in circles.

In Joshua 1:9, the Lord advised Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage, be not frightened neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you where you go” Courage can propel people to levels beyond imaginations and turn fortunes around. Let us always be courageous in the face of adversity and break down mental barriers caused by the fear of what we may perceive to be obstacles to our destinations. Sometimes we have to push or peddle the wheel to move the circle or to change situations.

l Prosper Tingini is the Scribe of the Children of God Missionary Assembly — God’s messengers. Contact details: mobile and WhatsApp: 0771 260 195. Email address: [email protected]