Judges 6 [25] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: [26] And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. [27] Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
Concerning President Goodluck Jonathan – I quote an article from allAfrica.com “…. Can President Jonathan midwife a process while maintaining a vested interest without tinkering with that process? Arguments in this regard tend to take a ding-dong pattern as people are found on the two sides of the divide. But there is a taint of haltedness in those who argue in defence of the possibility of participatory insulation as their submissions appear speculative. Those who hold the view that he must not contest argue that he can only drive the process impartially from outside and not as a participant. They posit that this is one moment in history President Jonathan should seize to join the pantheon of great leaders in Africa and the world. They state that the only way to demonstrate the quality of patriotism that would give him that ascendancy is for him not to contest 2011 election.”
The Reformation model in the call of Gideon featured initially a relatively small and private victory before the public challenge. I suspect that when one has not confronted the private demons and immediate issues in our area of direct influence – then seeking God’s mandate for larger assignments becomes premature and may be proven in later years as unwise. For further illustration – David’s brave encounters with the Lion and the Bear prepared him to some extent to develop the courage for Goliath. But does God still call ? Perhaps to lead large scale change – smaller pilot private victory in our spheres of direct influence can confirm the call.
Indeed, God still calls and found the “least qualified” Gideon and commissioned him. His first task for Gideon was to reform his own backyard by confronting the idols of his father … an act that further established, by the grace of God, His divine call to lead Israel to victory. God is not without His Gideons even in times of subtle and aggressive self promotion and greed as depicted in Karl Zorowski’s cartoon.
In Psalm 62[9] Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. …David writes off the quiet poor Mr Nobody or our Titans as vanity and lies…and instead prefers to simply wait upon God. Divine insights and models can still inform much of our thoughts on reformation and leadership. David had a very long wait for God’s process to mature.
I met an elderly Christian friend who expounded very convincingly why President Goodluck Jonathan may be God’s elect to be used to wave the much awaited magic wand. I do not know … but fear more the bewitching spells that enchant and lead both charlatans and well-meaning gentry into assignments that do not fulfil divine patterns and vision. I am therefore persuaded to agree more with the other fellow who said Nigeria needs working institutions, credible processes and mind renewal for clear thinking of its citizenry – more than it needs religious hocus-pocus and strong-men. God certainly hates any partiality and hypocrisy … and crooked elections continue to contradict His word.
James 3[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Nigeria needs only one President at a time for a limited period. We do not all have to scramble to win every battle today…we also need umpires, coaches, losers, watchers etc…the defeated can also rise up again…there is learning and value to be contributed in every stage for every role. Good losers contribute immensely to the process and tradition of credibility and the construction of enduring institutions. Abraham Lincoln who became the President of the United States in 1860… Lost job, 1832…Defeated for legislature, 1832…Failed in business, 1833…Elected to legislature, 1834 … sweetheart (Ann Rutledge) died, 1835…Had nervous breakdown,1836…Defeated for Speaker, 1838…Defeated for nomination for Congress, 1843…Elected to Congress, 1846…Lost renomination, 1848…Rejected for Land Officer, 1849…Defeated for Senate, 1854…defeated for nomination for Vice-President, 1856…Again defeated for Senate, 1858. Abraham Lincoln did not quit and remained hopeful because he believed that there existed credible and fair electoral processes and institutions that would one day work for him.
Jonathan may well still emerge as a great “elected” President in 2011 or perhaps later…but there are altars of Baal in the backyard to be thrown down. A major part of the reformation expected of him today is to umpire fearlessly with the grace of God the emergence of working democratic institutions and credible governance mechanisms perhaps requiring an affront on the political “home” that fathered his emergence i.e. let him start with uprooting the demons in the domestic and/or “home” front. Gideon did the job in a clandestine manner for fear – in the night – but he did the job. For President Jonathan, this is perhaps a key part of the private battle that must precede his ascent as our “Messiah”. God will help him to succeed as He helped the nervous Gideon.
The opinion of some is that it may be easier to fight and win this battle without being lumbered with the image (rightly or wrongly) of being another (perhaps innocent) sit-tight tool of wicked interests clinging to power at all costs. He must not fight with the fear of losing the support of the machinery that seems required to retain Him in power.
As Nigeria celebrates her Jubilee – 5oyears of Independence, our expectation is that the blessings of Jubilee will perfect what God had started and pour more than sufficient grace to usher in the best leadership team in a most critical political transition – resulting in future years of rejoicing. All Nigerians will do well to be active participants in this peculiar transition in the year of Jubilee.
Our nation is blessed with outstanding potential leaders – even as we continue to pray for all current and past leaders at this crucial period … remembering that nothing is impossible for Him who leads us into realising His perfect will for our great country, Nigeria.
You may not be our next Honorable Minister of Finance ( you are not less important to God) – for there are victories God needs in your small town, your marriage, household, office, institution, ministry, business and personal life…and may you have victory as Gideon did.
God bless you as you pray for Nigeria.
Amen
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Bode Ososami
