About times and purpose

All the events; minor and major, that occurred in Joseph’s life were useful for another time and place. Like bricks they served as building blocks for his life and future and the resulting profile of him that we know. The same is true for David. Every turn of events ugly or beautiful had an other occurrence that was linked to it or depended on it or reminded of it. We know because we have a (complete) painting of their lives and what it looked like; past and future. There is a purpose.
When something is bound to occur we are only certain of that one thing. Most times we are not as clear about the other things that could happen and will happen or must happen for that one thing to occur. So when things veer off course, it looks and seems that the certainty has become uncertain or we take our eyes off the hope that it will occur. We get carried away by the forces of life’s curve balls that we despair or sometimes remain in bewilderment. We can’t understand the correlation between the here and there.
“Of what use is my life?” “How will I do this?” “What is the meaning and purpose of all this?”
We ask such questions, our supporters ask us questions and detractors have more than usual to say at times like these. And what is more, we begin to think that we can’t do it but we forget that ‘it’ getting done does not entirely depend on us. While our attitudes could affect its fulfilment, our actions or inactions may not. There is a reason for every season we go through, every event has a purpose. What will be will be, time happens to every man. All process is like clockwork; it never goes back. The pace may be slow but it will continue until it is done. Life unravels and unfolds with time. Stay aware of the usefulness of every thing that happens in your life. Stay aware of the timeliness and specification of your occurrences. Living (life) is a process and there is a purpose for every tick.

Written by 'durotimi
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Tomorrow?

An ode to a dead friend
Dedicated to all my friends that have died.
"You graced my life with your presence.
You touched my life and many others
with your hands and heart.
With your smile you loved,
with your words you sought.
You were a star, a burning ember.
And this space you left fills with tears."

The first time I experienced the death of someone close to me, I was 7; he was a kind old man who doubled as my grandpa though we were unrelated. I loved that dear man and up till the day that he died I never thought I would not see him again. That day I learnt about death and burial and everything the demise of a person means. It was too much for a seven year old but I took it all in and I understood it even though the adults did not think I did. Since then many other dear ones have died. Grandparents, friends, neighbours, cousins, close and not-so-close people. Each time the full import of their demise was real to me.
Now I'm not an overly expressive person but I learned early in life that nothing on earth lasts forever; no one lives forever and while they're here, I gotta appreciate them - those who matter in my life. And I learnt, early enough too, that everyone needs comfort, no matter how long ago a loved one left them. Also, based on the things that were said at each person's wake-keep or funeral or generally afterwards, I have learnt and I'm still learning that we all must be remembered for some reason whether good or bad. And what a waste of life if remembrance is rather forgotten.
We could all go at any time, and we can't have enough appreciation. So reach out and touch someone in a way that matters. Today, now for tomorrow may never be ours. Don't wait until you've had a near death experience or a death scare before you realise how transient life is. Now that you can, live and make an impact. Or what are we going to celebrate when you're gone? How many will feel your loss and for how long? Comfort someone who has felt loss, remind them that you care about them and the one they lost. Help them feel better. It's coming around.

To my friends and loved ones still alive.
Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for your touch, your warmth, your words, your smiles. Thank you for the times we've had together. Old friends, new friends, real friends, fake friends, all the ones that have colored my story on the canvas of life. I appreciate you and I am really grateful. I'm glad you're alive and well. I'm glad to have met you. May your hands be blessed and may joy fill your hearts. Thank you.
P. S. Don't wait until a special occasion to affirm your relationships. We just might not be here tomorrow. Say those words; they need them as much as you do.

Written by 'durotimi
For all who have been special to me.
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WO-MAN

What makes me a woman? 

Is it the visible features of my frame identifying me as female; is it the hair, the curves, the voice? Or is it the fact that I was told by whoever cared to inform; that I'm a she, very different from a he? Is it my achievements as a woman; his ring, the kids, my role? Could it be the number of years I've spent - my age as some would say? What is it that defines me, that makes me, me and makes me a woman? Is womanhood a trophy to be attained or is it a direct consequence of being female? Is the definition of female different from (the definition of) woman or are they the same? What is this definition, what defines me? Is it the laurels that I have, the trophies and evidences of conquest or success in a world that is mainly antagonistic toward my person? Is it a one man factor that defines my womanhood? Is it my skills or my parentage? 

Is femaleness and femininity only skin deep, primarily on the surface or resonating across all organs and substance and chemistry? Is it psychedelia or intuitiveness which is popularly hyped that is proof? You tell me why I'm a woman, you explain it. What exactly is this creature called woman?

*

She is one who finds happiness in herself, for herself. No she doesn’t wait for you to define her so you don’t deter her. She’s capable of giving life to everything she imagines and she bears fruit, good fruit from whatever is given her. A female can be a piece of canvas that shows whatever is drawn or colored in amplified tones. But that doesn’t make her a caricature of grace and dignity. No, not when she knows what she’s about. But with her brash manner, looking and acting more unreal than a plastic contraption, yes!

A real woman knows that who she is, is different from what she does but her personality and sense of uniqueness show in whatever she embarks on.

Just cause she’s curvy or good to look at does not make her less intelligent. Conquest is a matter of wills not components. She can stand alone and thrive, she can change tides with her smiles, give hope with her gait and heal with her embrace. A woman makes community. Don’t you look down on her; her standing does not depend on you.

And womanhood is more than just girlishness, neither is it man-like strength. It is appreciating the limitations of our build and its gentleness. It is in silent strength that does not depreciate. Being a woman is power of a sort that cannot be compared or adequately described. 

*picture taken from clipart.com
Other pictures found on Wikipedia
Written by 'durotimi
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MAN

Man. The very idea of him evokes thoughts of strength or its likeness, at least in the masculine sense. His existence is supposed to be of importance; so they say “It is a man’s world” but is it? If all adult male homo sapiens were exactly as defined will the earth be as it is or would things be different?
He tells me he’s a man but I say he’s not. What with his indecisiveness, lack of integrity, vision and direction. He doesn’t know who he is or what he’s about, yet because his balls have dropped he says he’s capable of ruling when he knows no reality save that which he’s thought and his thoughts are often erroneous. His actions and inactions speak loudly of his selfishness yet he says to her (a female that he fancies), “I can take care of you baby”. He can barely take proper care of himself; he doesn’t even know how to do that! His body looks good sometimes but his house is in disarray and his life is in disrepair. He needs to be informed what a real man truly is.
First, a male who knows who he is, what he has, where he’s going and recognizes the power that he has, is rightly referred to as a man, otherwise he is a boy or for the sake of his age, a guy. A man is one who sets the rules and makes things happen, not just for himself but for those around him. This one wields his influence in a trusty manner because he is accountable and knows that manhood is about responsibility. He’s in no way perfect but he puts his best into getting things done and there’s no dilly-dally or uncertainty in his pursuits and efforts (even if he is unsure). He is still learning and trying to be better, he’s original and rightly so - HE is a man.
Only such males are eligible for marriage and fatherhood (Ladies back me up on this one). And guys should try and aspire to be at least that. The world is starved of ideals, yes, but there are diamonds in the rough out there. And with time they’ll sparkle. We don’t want no machines in here, but we don’t want no fakes either.
Be brave. Man up!

Written by 'durotimi
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Free will

What is the most prized possession of any man? Male, female, old, young and all alike. What is that thing that is more valuable to the human race next to life itself? Do you know it? It is called free will.
A gift and a curse. In the heart of men. Our own undoing and the tool of salvation.
It isn’t something that was made by scientists nor an invention of modern humanity. Fight or flight was woven into our being along with the capacity to love or hate, to care or turn away, to believe or doubt. We were created with free will; the ability to choose. It is deeply woven into the very fabric of humanity that to try to exclude the possibility of the suffering and pain which the existence of free will brings and involves will be to exclude life itself. The human machine was designed to do as he chose and given a guidebook on how best to live. The fuel and food he needs has been shown to him but there's no coercion as to what he feeds himself and how he feeds. God put this instinct inside man. Evolution cannot explain it. It is little wonder that a dog cannot exhibit the flair of a human and artificial intelligence cannot beat it. We still are the best species we know of - we're different.
Despite the free will fact, no one aspires to be a cat or elephant or any other being there is. We are the best of all the creatures. The human nature; though warped and twisted in some, is good enough for us that we can't be anything else and we don't want to be anything else. Why? We love our freedom! We blame it and hate our lives for it but we still confess that we need it. This free will thing has wrecked a lot of havoc on earth and its inhabitants but it can't be done away with! It is the solution, it holds the only way out!
Imagine what life would be like if every human being did not have a right to choose. What if your free will was taken away from you? Will you still be human? What if we bought our wills with money? What if we had to kill for it? What if we have to win it or do something drastic to possess a free will? Will it still be a "free will"? How much would it cost? What if it could be lost, or stolen? Would we act better? What if our bad/evil choices got us demoted to the levels of the animal kingdom? Would our world be a better place?
We should be grateful for our right to choose and the ability to do so. It isn't a luxury and is as important as our dead-or-alive status. You are not invincible. As long as you have that thing called free will, you can easily be destroyed - and that by your very own hand or mind or wherever the will is. Use your free will wisely; it may be free but it is a gift and it costs dearly.

Written by 'durotimi
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The Gospel

How many years on earth have you? Two decades? Five, less? How much information have you retained? Do you remember the best piece of news you learnt? When did that happen? How did you learn of it? By hearing, reading, how? How did it meet you and how did you respond to the news?
The way of the cross leads home; the way of death leads to life and the way up is down. This is the gospel; it’s good news.
This good news is perhaps the most unlikely piece of news you ever heard depending on when you heard it, where and how it met you. Years have come and gone yet this news is spreading undaunted, reaching people of different classes and remaining for some, the best news ever told irrespective of the circumstances. Rather queer, isn’t it? Maybe, but what is it about this news? What is this news that is so good it has endured the times? How did it come to be?
The news is this; love is the purpose. The gospel is God reaching for you and me. The gospel is supernatural. It is not laws or methods or creed; it is love on a golden platter. It is free, it is pure, it is the most unlikely event and piece of news in history; defying logic and all forms of sensibility. That the divine desires oneness with inglorious mortality, that greatness wants to be kind and involved with us. Flabbergasting, but valid; love is the reason. Yet this is the gospel; unbelievable though it seems. All the years on earth that have been spent, could not fathom this great news and neither can you, for it remains a great mystery.
Texts abound supporting and opposing the motion of a loving Supreme God being but permit me to say that errors abound because of wrong interpretations. You must give up your prejudices to find the truth of the gospel. Until we get to that place of surrender, there's no winning or victory; just despair. And only then can we feel the hope that's held out by the gospel.
If you’re going to pitch justice or logic, you must admit that the law makes machines of people. But there's a place of buying totally into the ideals of it that living it is seamless. The law is backed by truths. If those truths drive men, laws would not be needed. And those truths came from a One who knew them without the depravity that we have known. The law is good but love is better – THIS is the Gospel.

Thanks for reading.
Written by ‘durotimi

View Him

I’ve heard of people who asked God for something very important but He didn’t oblige them. Matter of fact, I’m one of them. But I’m different from some of those people in that I remain un-offended; I did not get angry at God and spout injustice. I am not one of those idiots who make God their houseboy. God is not obligated to me or anyone else.
I also know that God is not an angry or vengeful God. He is not irrational or power hungry. He doesn’t need to prove anything and He owes no explanations. The sour fruit of fatherhood has made us view God through coloured lenses. We know tyrants who donated spermatozoa and nothing else yet call themselves fathers, forgetting that life is much more than biology. The world would be truly better without such men who encourage erroneous beliefs and cause pain and grief. Twisting and turning truth for their own use, they’ve taught us things that are hard to unlearn. It’s hard to believe that God is who He claims to be because we know men who have made ballistic claims. But God’s claims are outrageous, and rightly so. He gave us proofs. We don’t need a revalidation of His claims because it doesn’t change; He never changes.
Instead of following His patterns we carved our own ways. And not us but him, the one who leads us to error. And instead of talking back at him, we carry on conversations when we should shut him up! It is cumbersome to stay consistent when there are eye watering distractions so we lose focus. And we keep finding it hard to believe that God is who He is especially when things are in a disturbing upheaval. Like it or not, believe it or not, this is truth; God is just and there is no wickedness in Him. If it were not so we all would be in a worse off state. There’s no criteria stating who suffers or who doesn’t, who gets born white or red or black, who falls sick and who dies. We are all broken people and we need God to put us back together again. Our pieces lie flung far and wide from where we were scattered and we need God if we are to be whole again.
Forget the ills you’ve suffered, leave behind your autonomy. Reach for His lifeline, experience God for yourself. Give Him another chance. The divine is as close as your heartbeat. You can find out for yourself.

Written by ‘durotimi
Thank you for reading.