FEBRUARY TH E MONTH OF FAITHFULNESS

Recently, we all woke up to the news that truck drivers employed by Dangote group has been involved in massive stealing of the company's truck tyres, amounting to millions. So sad. Why? the reason is not farfetched, this company is one of the largest employers of labor,  thereby, keeping food on the tables of a majority of the hitherto unemployed, thus,  reducing the unemployment  saga of our time.    One of the endemic problem we do have as a people is the problem of stealing . Theft, not by the people outside, but by employees of companies, organizations, a place where they earn their livelihood. They often steals with impunity even, small stuff  that are not worth  the  soiling of one's name. The story, sad enough, is not different from government parastatals; even worse scenario occurs there as nobody seems to care. Workers at NGOs and orphanage homes  indulge in it with glee and delight. Donation in forms of materials like clothes, blankets, shoes and even food items often finds their way to the homes of these workers. No qualms  whosoever. There are some NGOs who have no physical address and whatever they get only goes to line their pockets! what beats one's consternation is that Nigeria is a very religious country.We take our faith seriously and you can see this whenever the times of worship like Sundays and Fridays comes around. Then your sight beholds  men, women and children dressed up to their nines. They go in different means of transportation; some do the trekking, with joy and expectations written all over their faces All to the place of worship. Good enough. Alas! when teachings, sermons  whether  in mosque or churches do not transforms  lives then our religion or better still, our faith is in vain.  I know few investors from other country who tested the Nigeria terrain only to regret it due to indolence, lackadaisical attitude to work, indifference to our responsibilities at work place, lack of commitment on our part and diligence even when we are on our job. Eye service is the order of the day yet, I know the Christian faith frowns at such attitude. Rather, we are admonish to do our job well. With or without supervision or be it in the company of coworkers ' Ephesians 6:5-7 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men':

coincidentally, we have tagged this month, February, THE MONTH OF FAITHFULNESS in our fellowship. The word faithfulness is not an every day word in our conversation. It is like the word, 'joy' which though, powerful, but not in every day's usage like 'happiness. Faithfulness, is in two fold. we do have God's faithfulness, as the ultimate and the embodiment of what it is to be Faithfull. Then those who are Christians, are demanded of Him to be faithful. therefore, faithfulness in our part is a demand from God. see 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it. God has called us out from Darkness as depicts ignorance, ungodliness, wickedness, theft and other evil works. Christianity is a calling out from the corruption in the world. if you have not experience this calling then your faith is still not where God expects it to be. Sadly enough, many bible clutching church goers are still not where God wants them to be. God has equally, called us out of darkness as represented by household gods, familiar spirit both from our paternal and maternal sides. He has promised not to lead us halfway or abandon us if we do his will in all ramifications of life. I for one has tested this . I am a living proof  of God's faithfulness, I do not talk about what I have not experience. Since 1981, while still a youth, I encountered  this power that can change lives.
Let me throw more light on His faithfulness. see the book of Deuteronomy 7:7-9 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which kept covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; 
The second meaning of faithfulness is God's expectation from us. To be faithful to Him and faithful in whatever we do. God, our creator, expect us to be faithful and this is seen in the first greetings to believers inn heaven according Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
It behooves us, therefore, to be faithful in all our undertaking; firstly as Christians or Moslem,  and then as good employees and as good citizens. When we as a religious people allow our piety and doctrines to show in our dwelling place and place pf work, when we show it in our conversation with others it will only permeates  lives and affect people, and the society at large will be the better for it.  The nation in general, will be better for it as it will be on the lips of every visitors tourists and temporary residences. These will be the ones to take the new Nigeria  abroad and will announce it to potential investors, visitors. The bible says in Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. It is high time, will carry out a fight against corruption, fight against theft, fight against indolence and of course, covetous and get rich quick which have eaten deep into the fabric of our society. The best way to lauder the Nigeria image abroad starts, from within us as individuals.
I leave you with this injunction:
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

         I will be seeing you.


              Godwin Guobadia writes from Amsterdam.