Our First Port Of Call

Growing up in a culture that touts who you know above the skills you may have can be quite frustrating and disappointing. The resultant effect is that those that are most qualified for the spaces (schools, jobs, businesses) are passed over for those less qualified. The reason being because they have a person upstairs or as it is said in our clime, they have a ‘father down there’. So many promising young entrepreneurs’ dreams are shut down because they have no ‘father up or down’ to push their causes. Needless to say it had and is affecting the community adversely. If you are one of those that feel marginalized because you have no one to speak or stand for you, don’t be. The truth is you actually do have someone that will stand, speak or fight for you if you give Him the chance. You may declare that you are born again and serving God truthfully with all your might; but if I may ask you a question: Why is it at the sound or smell of trouble the first person you turn or run to is human? To prove to you that you are wrong in your approach, they always turn you down or they are not in town; one excuse or the other is given for them not assisting you, thus, they are inaccessible! Friend, I will like to introduce you to our faithful Father and Friend upstairs that is always approachable, accessible and is always there for us (not out of town on business) – the Man, Christ Jesus (1Timothy 2:5).

The Scriptures did not make a mistake by referring to our God as Man! The Bible tells us that in order to restore our relationship between us and Him, God had to take on human flesh so as to establish a standard and a link for us: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and took up residence among us…” (John 1:1, 14a). He did not need to do this but He had to in order to relate effectively and efficiently with us. No other god in history has ever done this or will ever do this for its followers. This same Jesus Christ was tortured, crucified, died, buried and on the third day rose from the dead because the grave and death could not hold Him, to the chagrin of the devil and other would be religions. He didn’t stop there! To prove that it was not a gimmick, He walked on earth for 40 days teaching His disciples – proving to them that He is real – a Man not a ghost! Then He went on to Heaven on a ‘cloud express’ with the same body! No wonder the Bible said: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself – a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time” (1Timothy 2:5-6). Friend, there is a Man in Heaven, Who has blazed a trail for us to follow and His name is Jesus Christ. He is our Father, Friend, Advocate ‘on top’ and our ‘Father below’ whichever way you look at it. He is ALL in all! Since that is the case, no matter what you are going through, you may not have a physical friend; or the physical ‘fathers and mothers’ you trust in are inaccessible, you have Jesus Christ that understands empathetically what you are going through and He is seated in Heaven at the right Hand of Power (God Almighty) advocating on your behalf.

All that is needed is for you to acknowledge this and understand that at the sign of trouble your first port of call is not a man/woman but Him and He will direct whoever He pleases to rescue you, not you telling Him whom He should send to you for help. Friend, your failures and your gains are His too, more than you can ever imagine. Note this, when a person goes to battle well kitted with the assurance of the super power that have sent him, such enters the battle with a confidence that cannot be equated. Not because of the equipment he is carrying but the power and mandates backing him for the battle. Such will do exploits. So it is with us. The Power may be unseen but He is there and is standing, fighting and advocating on your behalf. Like Paul we must believe and declare: “But I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that Day” (2Timothy 1:12b). God bless you as you make Him your first port of call.