Lenten Lesson from Nigeria
The February 2007 issue of National Geographic Magazine has an article on the depressing situation of the consequences of petroleum discovery in Nigeria. While reading the article I was feeling gloomy and felt hopeless for the Nigerians who have been betrayed by their government and ignored by the petroleum companies.People are in desperate need for employment, food, education and an overall decent level of living. From the article the only hope imaginable humanly is for the inevitable armed struggle against the government for a fair deal.
What I was unprepared for was the conviction by one person in the area that “faith in God would reward the community”. National Geographic describes that this belief must be common as there are many signs along the roads promoting revival meetings and church services. One sign even encourages the faithful to PUSH - pray until something happens.
During this season of Lent, it’s a very beautiful lesson for us who are not in such dire straits (and even in similar predicament), as these Nigerians, to put our trust in God wholly. Don’t we all have someone we wish to take revenge on for putting us in some miserable situation. The example of these Nigerians should prompt us to think otherwise and pray, instead of cooking up some plan for retribution.
nigeria
oil
christian faith
