Hello readers, hope you had a beautiful week like I did? If you didn’t achieve what you’ve set to achieve for the week, don’t worry don’t beat yourself up about it, you are still alive for a reason, as long as you are still breathing you always have a second chance at getting things right.

Very recently I watched a movie written and produced by Stephanie Linus. She’s a Nigerian actress and producer.

The movie was centred around her life in the movie and that of a young girl from the northern part of the country (Nigeria). This young girl was married off at a young age of 13, got pregnant and lost the baby because of lack of good medical care and subsequently had fistula. This young girl could not control her ability to pass urine anymore this is what the disease does and this happened as a result of her being raped constantly by her husband and the horrific child-birth she had, anyways her husband sent her packing and she became the village outcast because they thought she has some form of witchcraft which is why she can’t control how and when she passes urine.

My question is why should a 13-year-old experience this cruelty? POVERTY. She was just a CHILD, A……………. CHILD.

Her parents married her off to a man in his fifties. Her parents were supposed to nurture, care and love her and not allow any form of harm come her way. But yet they exposed her to this unlawful, barbaric way of life. They did not know any better, they were blinded by ignorance, tradition, culture and poverty. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

The leadership of this country has not particularly done enough to stop this barbaric practice and most of the people who know better just live their day-to-day lives doing nothing to better the lives of this poor souls.

I am challenging us here today, how and what are you doing to make this world a better place. I am not saying you should go on a missionary journey or go and physically stop these things from happening the truth is we all cannot.

Think, how can I better the lives of others in my own little way, Christianity is not always about going to church and looking all pretty it is also about giving back to humanity in the littlest forms possible. Have you made someone smile today it could be that simple! Take a break, evaluate yourself how have I contributed to making other people’s lives better.

You will get the drive to do bigger things from the littlest things you’ve done. If you never given 5 pounds, it would be difficult to wake up and give 20 pounds if you have to. Start with the minute things and yes you will be surprised at how much you’ve got offer.

STAND UP, ARISE, God has put you in this world for a reason, contribute your own little quota. Ye are the light of this world ye are the salt of this earth. ARISE SHINE! Dominate. I am challenging myself too! Until we take our place as Christians and stop being mediocre certain things will not stop. I hope I have challenged you. Have a blessed weekend. Enjoy! ARISE AND SHINE!

YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH!

Ifeoluwa Iyaniwura.