WHO ARE YOU ?

Now, if you live in Nigeria the question " who are you?" does not necessarily mean the person asking the question wants to know your name or be able to identify you some way. Its a question you hear most times when individuals or a group of people have an argument and one of the two feel they are  superior to the other by virtue of social status, how much money they've got, who they know, etc..  

This time though I have found that many of that challenges we face these days is simply because we have not found a way to answer this simply question. We all have different talents and we use them in different ways but then most people feel that they are what they do at the office or what people term them to be. I have discovered that the inability to categorically define ones self is the genesis of most of the problems we see in society today. Let me tell you a little story

           "  The servants son and kings son were playing with a toy car of the kings son. Suddenly the son of the servant overpowered the son of the king and ran away with the toy car. The kings son ran to His Dad crying that the servants son just stole His car. The king smiled at His son and said to him  " Son, why are you crying over this toy car ? Don't you know who you are ? All the cars in the parking lot belong to you, the cars in the other mansions belong to you, the mansions belong to you!!! Why are you crying over a toy son ? Don't you know who you are ??   " 

         If that lady knew who she was she wouldn't be caught dead running after another woman's husband. If that lecturer knew who He was He would not have tried to sleep with the girl before giving her the right scores. If that police officer knew who He was He wouldn't have taken that bribe. If the leaders of corrupt governments knew who they were they wouldn't bury their countries to uplift themselves. If  that Man knew who He was He wouldn't look for ways to cause dispute between people intentionally.

       At the point where an individual defines himself, the whole screen comes on. We are able to see what is allowed to happen and what is not allowed to happen. I doubt if you would see a male boxer trying on female clothes in order to become a female model. First, He knows He is a Man and would not fit into that category. Finding who you are is not about finding what people accept you as or expect you to be. No, its is reaching into the spiritual, reaching into the creator and finding out who HE is and what HE made you to be in HIM. We all agree that GOD IS LOVE and HE is the creator of us all. It is therefore obvious that we need LOVE to be able to find ourselves and then be able to function is the capacity that LOVE gives us. Anything short of that, is malfunctioning. This is why it seems so many are lost because the lack of self-determination has re-defined them to become what ever the circumstances around them defines them to be.

  I was walking down the shopping complex close to where I live and a Man walked past me and said " Shawn Rapha, the Greatest " Yes, He called me that because, I have been on a T.V and Radio show for 3-4 years now telling them that I am the Greatest. Now, I don't say it that much but when people see me they do. They say that's Him, the Greatest.

         I feel its time for something great to happen in so many lives. As done in the beginning we have to check and see that we still know who we are. The exhaustion of the journey can cause many to forget who they are or where they are coming from. Its time for the next level,finish strong, who are you my friend ? I am not asking for who your boss says you are, I am asking you, who are you ? JESUS CHRIST when asked who HE is said " I AM " THE GREAT I AM. " THE I AM" is the said to be one of the personal names  of GOD. Who are you ? Define yourself and watch your life change forever.

1 LOVE

THE LONELY ROAD THE ONLY ROAD

It is written in the book of Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it". The narrow way,the lonely road. Its the dreaded road,most people who drive around Lagos State Nigeria would tell you they rather go through the mainland than drive alone through the third main land bridge at night. For those of you who do not live in Lagos or even in Nigeria,the third main land bridge is a long and lonely dark bridge at night where if a person gets in trouble He/She is "alone",one His own.

What does it mean to be alone ? Its very simple,you are on your own. It can also mean something deeper. Many times it can mean rejection,abandonment,solitary confinement and a lot more. You would hardly find a person anywhere who doesn't need someone to lean on. We all need someone to talk to,to share our dreams,to be laugh with,help out in time of need. No body wants to be alone,though we ask for some time to ourselves we want to come back home.

Nonetheless, I have noticed that certain individuals who have really hit it hard have had to go through that lonely road.They had to go through sleepless nights alone,had to cry alone,be confused,be strong,be their own Mum,Dad,Brother and the list goes on.Lets take a look at our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. As His crucifixion drew closer HE panicked on night and was praying seriously even asking GOD for a chance to back out of the destined painful death.On that Night He needed His disciples,His soldiers,His friends but they were not there.He went back to where they were but they were fast asleep.

Just at the height,the exact point where you feel I need them the most you may just find there is no one there but you. The lonely road,is the point between life and death and sometimes the sweetest victories ever experienced come just after the lonely road. In 1974 Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman for the heavyweight title in Kinshasa, Zaire. It was said that Muhammad Ali would  loose to George Foreman. His wife was so scared and though He would be killed. The whole of the Muhammad Ali entourage was in silence in the dressing room. His corner Men cried while they were marching towards the ring. This is because George foreman was 24 years old while Muhammad Ali was 32, Foreman had knocked out Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, the only two Boxer who were able to beat Ali at this point of His career.. Only Ali knew He was able to beat George just after the deep loneliness and darkness,great joy came.

 

The lonely road like other roads is not forever,its just like birth pains. People only feel sorry for you,cheer you on,or even pray for you. You experience it alone, you go through the hardship alone but when you come out at the end there is a crowd and there is celebration.

Some of you reading this are on that journey now. Someone has rejected you at work,or you just got dumped by your girl/boyfriend, your family doesn't believe in you,your friends talk good in your face but when you turn around the mock you,you just got  divorced. What ever it is as long as 1. GOD gave you that vision 2. You are willing and obedient enough to 1. Have Faith 2. Believe 3.Work Hard 4 . Keep Going 5.Again,Keep Going. You would be shocked how far you would go.Its is written

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--

Those who Love GOD always want to achieve their GOD given purpose. Keep going and as I always say let Love be the light to show the way. I know the road is dark and your legs hurt, I see the grief in your eyes,please keep going. The lonely road might just be the only road.