WANJIKU'S CRY CONTINUES

How was Wanjiku's week? Well, it started with a trip to the market to get supplies for her vegetable kiosk. On getting to the market, she was asked to pay a small ‘fee' to get in. She paid the fee, only to get into the market and find that the items she needed were beyond her budget.

Wanjiku went home after that, where she had left a sick child. She rushed to the local government facility, only to find that the doctors were still on strike.  You see, her child's condition requires that she see a doctor, not a clinical officer. She took her child home and then went to open her vegetable stall. After a few hours of business, some people passed by, demanding a ‘protection' fee from her, and shortly after, a council officer came along asking for the daily ‘fee' (the one that doesn't come with a receipt).

Wanjiku's life sucks. She is being oppressed left, right and centre. What can you, a Christian, do to help her? What can the church do?

1. Protect her from her oppressors

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." (NLT)

The verse above from Isaiah puts this very clearly – help the oppressed. Stand up for that person in your neighborhood who is being oppressed. For example, people are thrown out of their houses every day by property owners who don't abide by tenancy agreements and take advantage of their tenants' ignorance. Another typical example is that of child abuse and neglect. Why don't you do something about this? Be an instrument of change in your surroundings and be a voice for the voiceless.

Zechariah 7:10 "Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other." (NLT)

Take the verse from Zechariah as a personal challenge. In one's daily dealings, it is very easy to oppress another person without realizing it. Oppression can take place anywhere, from not treating one's domestic workers well, to refusing to pay for goods and services.

Remember, an oppressed person is a stressed person. Give Wanjiku the support she needs.

2. Ask God to deliver Wanjiku from her oppressors.

God hates people who oppress others. The following verse from Proverbs put this clearly:

Proverbs 22:16 "A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end up in poverty." (NLT)

In God's eyes, the person who oppresses poor people will get his just reward, poverty. That's just the way it works in God's economy. He requires that we show love, concern, and respect for everybody, especially those who appear to be struggling in life. 

Christians need to take a prominent role in this area.  As a believer, you need to set an example for your peers, friends, and workmates on how to treat Wanjiku. The church also needs to be more welcoming to people from different walks of life. Pastors, stop focusing on church members who contribute significantly to your church's coffers. Every member of your flock is important.

Psalm 146:7a "He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry." (NLT)

God's desire is that every person under oppression receives justice. It is the duty of the church to call upon him in prayer, asking for his help as they undertake the task of making Wanjiku's life better.

Christians, you could be Wanjiku's last and only hope. The challenge to you is to find out what you can do within your surroundings to help her out, as you prayerfully seek God for wisdom and resources for the task. As you do so, remember that Wanjiku is precious in the Lord's sight, just like you.

Psalm 9:9 "The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." (NLT)

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Did you miss last week's reflection? Check it out here - The Cry of Wanjiku

Interested in a different topic? Here is one for you - What Makes You Unique?

THE CRY OF WANJIKU

Kenyans all know the name Wanjiku, used as a symbol of the ordinary person. Wanjiku is the standard unit of normalcy, the person for whom the Constitution was crafted, the person being encouraged to vote, the person entitled to fundamental rights.

The question is, how does Wanjiku's life look like at present? First, she can barely afford to buy food because prices have skyrocketed. Secondly, she has no access to clean drinking water for herself and her family because of the drought. Third, she cannot get medical treatment at the local government hospital because of the doctor's strike. Fourth, she can hardly make enough from her vegetable sales at the local market because the spending power of the masses has reduced. On top of all that, Wanjiku has to contend with people around her who think that because she is a low-income earner, she has no voice.

Sadly, Wanjiku's plight is similar to that of many Kenyans. Could it be that her situation is a direct result of poor leadership, bad governance and all-out greed displayed by the leaders around her?

Wanjiku needs a defender. The church of Christ needs to step up and boldly take on this role. How can the Christian make a difference?

1. Be a Voice for Justice

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)

Being a voice for justice doesn't only mean organizing demonstrations on the streets and getting your name in the local dailies. Though these are great avenues for justice, there are other things you can do in your local community. Have you ever thought to report that den of illicit brews at the edge of your estate? What about that little child left hungry for days as the parents go out carousing? Look around you. People are being treated unjustly all around you. What are you going to do about it?

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do right. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of the orphans. Fight for the rights of widows."(NLT)

2. Pray for Justice

Romans 12:19 "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge, I will pay them back,' says the LORD." (NLT)

Have you ever thought how terrible God's revenge must be? It is far beyond what one could ever imagine and has permanent, far-reaching effects. Why not let him do the job of exacting revenge on Wanjiku's enemies?

God cares as much about Wanjiku as you do, and feels pain when Wanjiku is treated unjustly; he will, however, fight for her only if the church petitions him on her behalf. Somebody has to pray for all the ‘Wanjikus' in this land to receive justice, and that person is you.

Proverbs 21:15 "Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers." (NLT)

God can also change the hearts of those in power to make them see that Wanjiku is who they should be working for, rather than their own bellies.

Proverbs  21:1 "The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases."(NLT)

The hearts of those in leadership are in the hands of the Lord. As a Christian, however, you need to call on the Lord so he can take action.

Friends, the future of this country lies in the hands of the church. Let's assume the responsibility of seeking justice, fighting for justice, and praying for justice, so that our nation will prosper.

In conclusion:

Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (NIV)

Missed last week's reflection? Check it out here - http://alisonkiriinya.blogspot.co.ke/2017/02/the-christian-at-work.html

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THE CHRISTIAN AT WORK

Every morning, millions of people leave their homes to go and make a living. The pressure of having to meet daily needs makes it necessary to earn some income. When things get busy, however, it is tempting to forget that God has opened that door for employment or business for a reason. What are God's expectations of you in your workplace or business premises?

1. You are God's representative

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do or say, do it as  a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving  thanks through him to God the Father.? (NLT)

According to this verse from Colossians, God expects that in everything you do, God must be represented. Think about an ambassador, whose job is to represent the ruler of the country he is from and speak on his behalf.  This envoy does not put forth his own agenda, but that of the person he represents

Similarly, the Christian is God's ambassador in the marketplace. Your peers and colleagues will be looking at you to see how well you represent the Lord, especially in your attitude towards work. The challenge is to be an able and trustworthy ambassador for the Lord.

2. You are God's employee

Everyone who works has an employer, whether one is formally employed, or self-employed. There is, however, a greater master, God, the one who opens the door for income generation in the first place.

Colossians 3:23 "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (NLT)

When you work for the Lord, and not for men, you get more satisfaction from your task, knowing that you are pleasing Him. After all, the Lord is the one who graciously gives the opportunities to earn an income.

Deuteronomy 8:18a "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." (NIV)

3. You are God's example

Not many individuals out there know how to behave with integrity in the marketplace. Aren't you glad, however, that your Father guides you on how to handle yourself? Well, God does so with the aim of making you a shining light that will draw men to him.

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."(NLT)

Are there people around you who ask why you conduct your business in a certain way? Do your co-workers ask what drives you to excel in the workplace? Use that opportunity to tell them about Christ, the one who gives you the strength and wisdom to work well.

Being a Christian at work is not just about making money to meet your needs. There is a reason why God has placed you there. Be his representative, employee, and example, and make a difference in the lives of those who surround you in the daily hustle.

Did you miss last week's reflection?  Check it out here. http://alisonkiriinya.blogspot.co.ke/2017/02/what-makes-you-unique.html

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

Everybody knows that he or she is unique in some way. The question is, do you know what makes you different from other people? Have you ever thought that God has a hand in your uniqueness? Listed below are a few points to give some insight on this.

1. Everyone is created in God's image, by God himself.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female he created them." (AMP)

According to the verse above, everybody is created in God's image. Artists will tell you that they get joy from looking at their finished works. This joy comes from the fact that no piece resembles any other; it is unique.

In the same way, God the creator made everyone different so that he could delight in his workmanship. There is, therefore, nobody on the earth who is exactly like you!

Isaiah describes God as the potter and his creation as the clay. No potter will make his pots look the same. There is always a difference, even if it is barely noticeable.

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our Potter, And we all are the work of Your hand." (AMP)

2. God knew you before you were born.

Jeremiah 1:5a "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb," (NLT)

How is it possible for God to have known you before he formed you? Simple. God knew what kind of person he wanted to create, so he came up with the ‘blueprint' before starting the actual formation process.

Psalm 139:16 "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." (NLT)

God already knew how each day of your life would turn out before you were born. This truth is very encouraging especially to those who are going through tough times. God knew the hard days would come along, and promises to walk with you through them.

3. God created you for a unique purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (NLT)

Look at the words of this verse in another version.

"For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."(NIV)

Now that you know that there is nobody else on this earth like you, wouldn't it be great to know why you were created? Well, God created you to do particular good works, or more accurately, works that only YOU can do.

Prophet Jeremiah, when he received his calling, heard these words from the Lord.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (NIV)

Just as the Lord knew that Jeremiah would be a prophet way before he created him, He knows why he created you. If you aren't sure of your purpose in this life, now would be a good time to seek the Lord's direction on this.

4. God gives everyone different gifts.

In an ant colony, every little ant has a job that it must do for the colony to thrive and survive. Likewise, each person has a job to do, either in the family, workplace, and church or even in society.

1 Peter 4:10 "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." (NLT)

Romans 12:6a "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well." (NLT)

Think about a school. There are teachers to instruct the students, but also other members of staff who ensure that the operations of the school run smoothly. The kitchen staff, cleaners, administrative staff and security team are crucial to the success of the school.

Similarly, each person must make use of their unique gifts for the benefit of the people around them. Each gift has its place, and if used wisely, will bring glory to the Father.

Now that you know how different you are from everyone else, go ahead and celebrate your uniqueness. Utilize the talents God has given you to help someone. Most importantly, live a life that pleases God, one that will make him glad he created you.

Did you miss last week's reflection? Here it is - http://alisonkiriinya.blogspot.co.ke/2017/01/life-lessons-from-ant.html