‘EGOCENTRIC.’
One word, ten letters, yet so much power. It was a typical Tuesday morning in my fifth-grade class. I was just eleven years old, and I struggled to hold back tears. A few minutes earlier, Mr. Danso, my English teacher, had labelled me as ‘egocentric’. With my recent introduction to the word ‘ego,’ I realized its meaning, and it shattered me.
Don’t get me wrong dear reader, Mr. Danso didn’t despise me. He meant no harm. His issue was that I constantly made my presence felt, sometimes at the expense of my less outspoken classmates. To my young mind, there were two categories of people: those like me who craved the spotlight, loved leading discussions, and making decisions, and then there were those who were simply content with being accounted for in the classroom. They had trusted me to be their class captain and certainly, I would do right by them, I just had to do it in a way that was most beneficial for myself and my closest friends and the rest could sort themselves out.
Sound familiar? The boisterous leader who lacks vision and leadership skills yet insists on leading because they can. Or is it the followers who fail to stand up in the face of injustices because they’re content with the bare minimum? As I’ve since learned, being the loudest doesn’t equate to being the most competent. My ability to convince my peers and my eloquent speech were valuable, but they weren’t all I needed to lead efficiently.
In our part of the world, which we claim is full of believers, we see some of the worst atrocities to be ever committed against humankind. We have God-fearing men and women, who refuse to rise up. They believe they’re not good enough, they think their backgrounds and past mistakes disqualify them from fulfilling God’s calling, or worse, that their role is limited to their prayer closet.
We say we serve an almighty God, but many of us choose to dwell in mediocrity. We shelter ourselves from the hard work, the late nights, and the all-expected backlash under the shelter of pseudo-humility and Christ-centeredness. We have limited our role as Christian leaders to praying for the ‘wicked’ men in charge to have a change of heart. Yet, no one is willing to stand in their shoes after they leave.
Abraham, Joseph, and David didn’t foresee their stories being recorded as manuals for future believers. They simply followed God’s guidance and loved Him. They did not let their weaknesses overshadow their call to greatness. If the Bible were to be rewritten, would your story be part of it? Would you defy the status quo to change the world for God? Can you ensure truth and honesty prevail in the midst of unbelievers?
While thinking of how this post should go, God drew my attention to the role of believers in media and entertainment, creative forces that shape culture and society. What do we see being shared on the media nowadays? Does it mean there are no men of God in these spaces?
As believers, we have a mandate to be fruitful and multiply, echoing the command in Genesis. Fruitfulness extends beyond procreation; it encompasses all aspects of life, producing good results and being beneficial and profitable. This is a call for Christians to become pillars of society in various fields, from education to media, government to family, science and technology to religion and business.
Why do many Christians shy away from taking leadership roles? We know the world’s opposition to God’s standards, and we see the increasing wickedness. Yet it does not end there! When we choose to not lead the change we seek, we disservice to the countless men and women of God who came before us and the sacrifices they made.
Many people had “apples” dropped on their heads but never questioned it. One man did – Sir Isaac Newton. Who was quoted saying, “In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence.” Meaning, he knew God. Many scientists have since come after him and he’s served as a role model to many. Yet, he took over the pillar of science without ever having to stand behind a pulpit.
Recently, I learned that the first woman to chair the First Bank of Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika, speaks in tongues. She turned her work life into a ministry, enduring situations that would have discouraged many. Now she can speak to younger women, and they listen. Can the world be filled with men and women who fear the Lord and can influence these systems for the better?
Dear reader, your involvement in politics might be the tool God will use to deliver His people. Your obedience is a testament to your faith, not your disobedience. Your ministry may not involve preaching behind a pulpit, but you can shine outside it. You can set an example that inspires integrity in government, business, and all aspects of life.
Rise up and take over the pillars of society, do not succumb to mediocrity. Your faith is your strength, and your actions should be a testament to your belief. You must lead by example, inspire integrity, and make the change you want to see. As believers, it’s our duty to be fruitful, multiply, and impact the world for the better.
In a world that sometimes values ego over substance, it’s crucial that we understand the power struggle and where true strength lies. We’ve seen how the power of individuals can shape society. We’ve learned that faith isn’t confined to prayer closets, but it should manifest in our actions in the world. We’ve recognized the significance of believers in media and entertainment, shaping culture and values. Now, imagine a world filled with men and women who fear the Lord and His Word, who lead with integrity, and whose stories become manuals for future generations. The power struggle is real, but we have the tools to influence the outcome. As we engage with society, we become the pillars, the lights and the creative forces that shape a brighter future. Our predecessors have shown us the way, and it’s our responsibility to honour their sacrifices.
-By Fellow Nana Araba Ayiah
Central Leadership Program 