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THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR OUR PEACE

 


A few weeks ago, I was at Anglican Girls Grammar School Abuja for the sweetest Harvest Thanksgiving service for year 2025. The only downside was the amount of time we spent, perhaps because we were all too excited.
At some point during the programme, the Chaplain asked the audience if he could have a few more minutes to round up a section. The students thundered 𝐍𝐎!
While everyone laughed because parents were obviously ready to agree with the Chaplain, I saw something entirely different. I saw a new generation of young people who will be bold enough to transform Nigeria.
This morning while studying scripture, I landed on Luke 19:41 to 44:

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes…
While reflecting on this scripture, I concluded that many of us in Nigeria and in different facets of life do not like peace. We may not even desire peace for our children, judging from the conduct we exhibit daily.
Here are a few reflections:

1. 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚

Nigeria is at its most fragile stage of insecurity. Our leaders know what to do, yet they engage politically instead of confronting the issue head on. Some have citizenship elsewhere, their children are abroad, and they believe they are insulated. They forget that they may not even live long enough to see how their own children will suffer the consequences of the bad governance they helped create.

2. 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚

Yesterday, I told my boys a story about responsibility. My son's teacher once reported that he was lagging behind in his studies. That feedback was not for information alone. It was a call to action. I immediately sat with my son, understood his challenges, and took practical steps to help him become a shining star again.
It is very possible to ignore such warnings and later lament when he becomes a menace to society. The wisdom in that scripture is simple: If only you knew the things that make for your peace, you would do them.

3. 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔

I love a young man called James, one of our sweetest graphics designers. In my opinion, he is a man of peace because he seldom needs to be warned twice.
I have worked with people in offices, homes, churches, and various projects. I have even recommended that some be fired because they repeatedly refused to do what we agreed on, despite several warnings. Many insist on their own ways until they lose their jobs and become burdens to themselves and their families.
Too many of us know the things that would move us forward at work, in business, or in life, yet we refuse to do them because we assume that adulthood gives us the luxury of carelessness.
Let me announce that abuse of freedom has consequences. If you do not do your job well, lesser responsibilities will be your portion. Gradually, you will be tossed into idleness where suffering and gnashing of teeth await.

𝐀 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
If you do nothing with the remaining 30 days of year 2025, reflect on these things. Fix what you can. Adjust what you know is wrong. Repair broken habits before entering year 2026 when God spares our lives.
Have a super December 2025.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐦. ✌️
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Location: Lagos, Nigeria

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