Strippin’

I have a friend who works at a very good job. We were starting to become real close, and vulnerable and all—being free (I), to share some things I don’t feel comfortable talking with anyone.

Within a random conversation, I asked for a favor, and it was turned down. His position at work didn’t allow him to do the favor. And I do not know if I was just expecting much, or if I overreacted, but suddenly my heart, that had previously opened up so wide to this person sobered up and built a 1.3m wall between him and I.

It decided to nolonger share any random information. It considered much the position of this friend and concluded that it couldn’t thrust anything at him because of the responsibility at his place of work.

Suddenly, I was back to the start. No one to confide in about particular issues.

In that blue-ish deep, I heard God whisper to me and teach me something.

He said, “There’s a reason why Jesus had to STRIP off his heavenly badges and come to earth. There’s a reason why He had to strip himself and come as man, forsaking his glory and majesty and titles so that people like you would feel no void between Him and them.”

I had a light-bulb moment!

Come to think of it. Jesus was born in such an inconsequential state, that when he healed men later, they never felt out of place. They didn’t feel like he was way up there and they were way down here. They didn’t feel like he was an alien and they were human.

I know there’s a place where honor is due. But the way I relate with Jesus, is not always with his titles. I don’t call him ‘Lord of Lords’ all the time (though that doesn’t mean he isn’t)… Jesus is many things, and many times you won’t find yourself calling him King…

At different times, you’d be in need of the friend in him, the comforter in him, the brother in him, the shoulder to cry on in him… He was trying to inculcate in us the culture to be free with him or around him…

The fear of approaching His throne was replaced by boldness.

Imagine your best friend was the president. It’d be hard having him at your beg or call all the time. You’d even give up on him because he or she’d be always occupied or abruptly called for a meeting especially if he or she replies you with, “…don’t you know I am president?!”

And although Jesus can be called at any time, we can still learn from him in order to be able to preach good tidings to the poor; or heal the brokenhearted… or console those who mourn in Zion.

How?

By stripping or bereaving ourselves of our titles. Some of us think because we are married that we shouldn’t or can’t attend to some of our single friends. Others think, because they moved out of their homes, that they should disrespect their parents. Others think, because they have great titles in the parliament, they can’t create time to call or visit their family or in-loves!

Strip yourselves!

Some think because they have attained the title of ‘prophet’ or ‘bishop’ that they should stop serving others but only be served always. Others think they are entitled children so that they should always be on the receiving end, taking and taking and taking and never giving!

Strip yourselves young generation!

Being the chairperson scripture union in high school never meant that the Holy Spirit would come down and sit the exams for you! Being the headprefect—commanding reagents to do your bidding— didn’t guarantee straight A’s. Many who didn’t understand this were victims of demotion to the previous class.

They never stripped themselves of their titles!

Now stripping doesn’t mean one will abandon their responsibilities. I know of fathers who don’t know what’s really going on in their children’s lives, because they think they should give a go ahead or a go aback of everything concerning their children.

They haven’t figured out the fact that in many moments, their daughters and sons need the ‘friend title’ or the friend in them, to serve them at a particular time. Even God, yes the God who runs a thousand galaxies stripped himself of his glory and asked us ‘to come reason with Him…’

If He can do that, then why do fathers dictate what their children must study, or marry. I know there’s a place of wisdom that parents have attained, and there are things where no debate needs to happen with the children; but for a partner your child will spend for the rest of their life with?! It’d be folly to make him or her marry your interests and not theirs! Or study a thing that you delight in, shutting out the dreams they’d be desiring in their hearts.

Strip yourself of the notion that you’re the alpha and omega of your child’s life. You didn’t create him or her, even if you made his or her flesh. Consult that child’s maker. Let God point you in the direction He meant for them, as you align them to that direction and not your own! Lives and destines are at stake here!

Strip yourselves, o ye parents!

For, like I said, the titles being put aside won’t mean the responsibilities will be shod out the window—NO! May you be nothing and yet something to serve the purpose or need at hand for any person or people God brings to you.

Be humble enough!

Even if you contributed the most— financially towards someone’s wedding—do not demand to be sat at the high table. Even if you’re father or mother of that child, do not shape-shift to be the God of your child!

Of course not every title can be got rid of. For example one like ‘father’… But don’t use it against your child. Some people say, “I am father of this house! I can do whatever I want. Therefore, pack and leave!”

Some of such drive our children farther out of our posterity than we imagined. Such men forget the joy that comes with a grandchild calling them ‘grandpapa’. They ‘unfather’ their children, and soon their children turn out to be the next Bill Gates. Will they be proud? Or will they regret? You see here that prevention is better than cure.

Let’s learn from Jesus. If He bragged about who he was from the very start, men would just be in fearful awe of him. He’d be kissed at his feet everywhere, but still none of the millions would have opened up to him to receive… for titles create walls and boundaries between us and people (depending on various settings) deterring many from drawing close to RELATE & be REPLENISHED!

Spirit . . . may your fruit of humility in each of us, grow mightily even to the point that Jesus reached, accepting to be born in such a lowly place and yet find it no robbery, for the glory of your name and for the compassion, and relationship, you wish to see!

Help us strip ourselves even with all the various honors that have been bestowed unto us.

May we not misuse the honor accorded to us or due to us.

☺