My father, my Father!

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“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, ‘My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof!’” (2 Kings 2:12a)

Hello, good day and welcome to another edition of the Enlightenment Series. How was your weekend? Splendid, I guess! Some of the last week’s comments on the topic HALITOSIS are relayed thus: “Nice” –Iam-switch. “Very informative, keep it up!” –Theodore Uzoamaka. “Informative” –Kachi. “We need more of these” –Jaypee. “A nice write-up; bravo, boy!” –St Melchizedek II. “I enjoy reading your article! Keep it up!” –Osinachi Michael. Thanks a lot; it was very rewarding! Feel free to participate in this periodical by sending in your article.

Today, we have another interesting topic to talk about. The first paragraph above is an excerpt from the Bible story which we know about –the taking of Elijah into Heaven. Now, let’s consider the two characters mentioned. Elijah was a prophet of God whom He used mightily to correct his people the Israelites and bring them back to Him. He, Elijah was able to command fire from Heaven, famine and rain on the land, disgrace the worshippers of Baal, run faster than a chariot, and even divide the Jordan. Such a mighty prophet! Yet, he became insecure and wanted himself dead but was told by God to raise Elijah as successor. Elisha, a rich animal farmer, left all and followed Elijah to be tutored/mentored by him and was able to receive a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. Truly, Elijah was his father.

Who is my father? My father naturally is that man who was involved in the process of my existence and is identified as a parent toward me, performing the functions and responsibilities of a parent toward me. Of course, my father is usually many years older than me. My father could also be that man whom I look up to for direction, advice and mentoring. Now, talking about my natural father, what is my relationship with him like? He’s my father because right from birth, he’s been the fatherly face and voice over me. I stay(ed) in his house; he pays/paid my fees, feeds/fed me, clothes/clothed me and teaches, talks and advices me. I reciprocate by rendering him my unreserved obedience, loyalty, respect and compliance –sometimes even when he’s wrong.

Let’s assume all these happened while I was still nwata n’ulo nna m (a kid in my father’s house). Now, I think I’ve grown and therefore need no longer to reciprocate my father his deserved and desired benefits. Ok, let us say, as a kid perhaps from a Christian home, I was introduced to another Father. I was told He’s the Creator of the whole earth and is worthy to be praised, glorified, respected, obeyed, loved and feared. As I grew, my Father told me that for me to be His child, I’ll have to believe and accept His only begotten Son –Jesus Christ. I accepted the condition and then began to know more and more about my Father; how He loves, protects, provides, preserves, directs and chastises me. I also came to know I should reciprocate by serving and obeying Him and loving my fellowmen –shikina!

Then I also realize that I’m still under the influence of my father –as a son/daughter of the soil- as long as he’s still alive. I recognize some similarities in the ways both fathers relate to me and sometimes some “clashes/conflicts/differences”. Sometimes, my Father tells me to do this, and my father is not in support. My father also instructs me to do that which is sometimes not in tandem with my Father’s will. I’m now left in a dilemma; but my Father tells me that I should obey my father and authority over me (Eph. 6:1-2, Rom. 13:1) and my Father’s word tells me to obey Him rather than men (Acts 4:19).

Of course, if I had remained a sinner, I’d have to battle for an alloyed patriotism to 3 fathers –the 3^rd being the devil, who is in fact more demanding than the other two! Let’s leave him out of the matter now. Now, I ask, “Can I claim to have a perfect/good/right relationship with my Father when I don’t with my own natural father? Is it possible to say I’m completely happy or fulfilled when both fathers always “clamour” for my 100% allegiance, inasmuch as my father was also created by my Father? Is it proper to make my Father glad in me but become a sorrow to my father? Which of them should be given primary priority when making/taking very important decisions of my life? Don’t I have a right to follow my own will? ” I need your answers please! My father here could also mean my people, origin, identity group.

N.B: This write up is not the personal state of the author, but is written especially for those who are in like condition to find the way forward. For example, non-Christians converting to Christianity, or a catholic converting to another denomination, or a (prospective) missionary/business person without parental support, or an issue in choice of career, marriage, etc. Please comment wisely (Christians especially).

My view: Ask your Father to direct you to the right mentors that will help guide you accordingly –someone like you needs right, godly mentoring. I do not also think that your father will be in contrast with your Father if he is also your Father’s son, because he is used by your Father, alongside other mentors, to shape you up to be the best you should/ought to be. Nevertheless, it has to be your Father first before your father, inasmuch as you have a right/will, and also a duty of making your father glad and be his worthy successor, for if not for him, you would not be existing or be where you are now (no matter your current status) –think about all those investments he has made in your life all these years. God bless us all!

Watch out for “How to win scholarships in Nigeria” next week Monday. <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.