A Patriot for King and Country II

A thriving country is not what we find, it is something we make.

      At the moment, all the signs points unmistakably to a country crumbling under the weight of corruption, insecurity, dwindling economic prospects, and a dearth of credible leadership. Things have all fallen apart and the center cannot hold. There are no walls. Piece by piece we’ve decimated the blocks, torn down the walls that would give us identity.

Every inch of the country is in dire need of some sort of redemption. Currently, the Niger-Delta Avengers are ravaging the country’s resources with calculated attacks on petrol companies and stations in the region; the Boko Haram malaise is yet to be nipped in the bud. These unfortunate occurrences are off-shoots of a greater problem-Nigeria’s long-standing problem-poor leadership. But as these pitiable occurrences show up relentlessly in our reality, we display, quite sadly, a pathological attitude of making scathing remarks. All we do is talk. Nehemiah didn’t cheaply chide the rhetorics of erratic politicians and their customary foot-dragging, nor did he whine at the decrepit state of things in Jerusalem. He bridged the chasm between talking, even praying, and acting.

            Let us quit sitting clumsily on our hands and be about our Master’s business. This responsibility is every bit spiritual. We must match these evils-corruption, sectionalism, and apathy-with steady diligence, unflinching duty, and rare patriotism. We must bring the kingdom of our Lord to bear on every area we find ourselves. It is not about changing jobs, or ‘going into ministry’; where we currently are is our King’s. Righteousness exalts a Nation, but sin is a reproach. Ours is a regime that hoists unrighteousness-every minute compromise-in every street corner, and in every lowly and exalted place. Nehemiah understands the duty of living with for his Master. We must too.

             Nigeria is our country, and if it’s going down we go down with it. I’m reminded of the words we constantly utter in our anthem: “…to build a Nation where peace and justice shall reign”. We must do more than chant this song; we must translate its meaning into concrete terms, into reality. We are where we are because we love comfort more than we do sacrifice, injustice more than justice, greed more than contentment. We are right where we want to be.

           Jerusalem, some two thousand years ago had a patriot; Nigeria need men and women devoted and loyal for their King and for their country.