It's 2017 And The Safest Hands Are Still Our Own

On the precipice of a New Year you’re probably considering a number of resolutions. But I put it to you that none would be as crucial as deciding that no circumstance, no inhibition and no person shall take charge of your 2017, save for you. I say this not necessarily as an advocate of stubborn independence, the kind of which does not accept advice or direction when it needs it. Neither do I speak of a self-centered individuality, the kin of which is selfishness. No, I speak of taking responsibility, of not delegating your 2017 to anything other than your own resolve of what it is going to be. This is not the year to be tossed to and fro by every wind of he said, she said. Neither is it the year to subscribe blindly to the conclusions of others who are regardless of their proximity to you, facing a unique set of demons with uniquely brewed anointing oil.

A number of illustrations to highlight the merits of such a hands on approach.

1!

A cool night in December, the stars littered the sky, or so I imagine in retrospect. All of a sudden, concerned voices billow outside my door. They seem to be calling for me as though I am in some sort of grave danger. But this is just my melancholic mind at play. In fact it is my neighbor’s house which seems to be on fire. Which, again in retrospect means I was indeed in danger. Of course I help with the putting out of the flames raging forth from a combusted camp gas.

 Meanwhile, as others and I risk our fine melanin skin to put out a flame, the neighbor in question is resting on her veranda pouting her mouth in that Africa Magic Mother-in-law way that signals disapproval. Her only words, over and over again are “Bring my phone, let me call Pastor.”

Really.

Never mind the fact that there is more physics than spirits at play here, the woman was convinced that the solution to her problem was God? No, her Pastor. As if Jesus didn’t die specifically so that she could have personal access to God.

Do not enter into 2017 planning to put out simple fires via the firefighter your Pastor. Your Pastor can’t save you, Jesus did. Learn to put out your own fires, and see your ability to do so.

2!

Me. Tsk tsk tsk. It was the last few days of my being in that backwater state called Edo. I had to see my project supervisor. I also needed to charge my phone, and I left it behind in class under the watchful eye of a friend. Eventually I returned and the phone? Gone, charger as well. No explanation, no leads, no nothing, just gone. Stolen, and for all the technicalities of the situation, the important thing was, if it had been me tending to my own phone, it wouldn’t have happened.

You want to do that sometimes. Plant the seed in your backyard, water it, then go into your house, put a leg up on the table and expect your interest to be protected by nature. But life doesn’t work like that, there are weeds and there are bandits. You have to protect your interests. Jesus had 12 disciples, he did not entrust his cross to anyone of them. Your dreams, your vision is yours to steward.

3!

I forget the couples exactly, but 2016 was the year of relationships, hook ups and break ups. Friends splintered, people doubted allegiances, and new ones were formed. A constant thread however that I observed was an impassiveness in the people involved. Everybody doesn’t seem to know if their friends are their friends, if they should be in one relationship or another, they look to yet another person or relationship to help them define and decide if the curious ones are worth it. It is my humble opinion (Andrew Womack says opinions are like noses, everyone has them even though they always have a couple holes in them) that you’re playing a dangerous game having three cooks in the kitchen where there should only be two. Yes this might be the recipe for disastrous relations but if you haven’t grown to the point where you can steer your affairs in the right direction, then you shouldn’t be in the car in the first place. Believe me, the worst mistakes are the ones you didn’t make yourself, the ones made on your behalf (Just look at Adam).

Again this isn’t an excuse to be an obnoxious shmuck come 2017. Say okay I’m in charge, all else be damned. No, for as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the Sons of God. The extent to which you let yourself be led by Him, is the extent to which you don’t have to submit to the leadership of men. Take advice, let people and circumstances inform your decisions, just don’t let them make the decision for you. Like Chris Evans/Steve Rogers/Captain America said to Robert Downey Jr./Tony Stark/Iron Man in the definitive scene of Captain America: Civil War