“AND I HEARD THE voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8.  Is God calling you to rise up and save Nigeria in distress? Give God a listening ear that you may hear his voice, understand his instructions and carry them out to the letter.

“About 152m Nigerians representing about 80% of the country’s estimated 190m population live on less than $2 a day” says the African Development Bank (AFDB).The level of poverty in the country is unacceptably high. But Nelson Mandela told us that, “Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.”

“What causes wars, and what causes fighting among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members?” James 4:1. The wind of war is blowing across the Nigeria nation. And unless we pray fervently like Elijah did, we may not avoid it. “The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on earth.” James 5:16-17.

In Nigeria, persons accused of corruption show no sense of embarrassment and continue to bestride the nation like colossus, acting like sacred cows and daring the rest of us to do our worst if we feel aggrieved by their decadent behaviour and attitude. But no one can drive us crazy unless we give them the keys! Yes, we should not allow negative and toxic people rent space in our heads. Let’s raise the rent and kick them out! The ball is in our court! God has promised us, “I will restore to you the years which the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25.

“Through carelessness, thoughtlessness, selfishness, wickedness and hate mongering, the country may unwittingly be pushing itself towards another war.” Mr Rauf Aregbesola. Are we conscious of the set up to terrorise Nigeria for selfish gain? It is beyond debates that consciousness is the bedrock of intellectualism and unless our fellow Nigerians are sufficiently empowered with information and knowledge, our quest for building a democratic and progressive nation shall remain a mirage.

Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde of Methodist has said that Christians can no longer distance themselves from politics if the country must have a positive change of fortune. He said it was high time Christians got involved in politics and took their fate in their own hands. Failure of Christians to participate in politics, Makinde warned would continue to make them victims of irresponsible governance, which they would have no control over.

If you have been chosen to save Nigeria either by going through political system as a leader, or by casting your vote to a particular party and you do otherwise, remember what befell Jonah, the son of Amittal. God directed Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” Jonah 1:2-3. Don’t put a question mark where God puts full stop.

Your academic qualifications, righteousness, health, riches, position, etc. have nothing to do with this assignment. All you need do is to say, “Here am I! Send me.” He gave David, the shepherd boy, the courage to face Goliath. And at 30, God empowered David to reign as king over his people.

Moses was not sure of his competence to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. With God on his side, Moses led his people out of Egypt. Samson was a womaniser, nevertheless, he judged Israel for 20 years though. God used Noah  to populate the earth at a given time. Elijah lost hope and said,”It is enough; now. O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my father” 1 Kings 19:4. Yet, God did not allow Elijah to see death. Gideon too was afraid. Judges 8:23 says, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you” God used Gideon to sustain peace in Israel. “The land had rest for 40 years in the days of Gideon” Judges 8:28.

Jesus made Simon (Peter), a fisher man the fisher of men (Mt 4:18-20), and said to him in John 21:17 “Feed my sheep.” Saul was persecuting the Christians but Jesus decided to convert him and use him immensely to preach the gospel and win souls for God. Acts 9:1-19.

 If you are called, do not be afraid. Ask God to open your eyes of faith like he did to the servant of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:15-17. With faith in God who made the Israelites to cross the Red Sea on a dry land, say boldly, “Here I am! Send me.”