WHO DO YOU DEPEND ON?
WHO DO YOU DEPEND ON?
I was suddenly reminded of the tax forms we fill and the question that asks “Number of dependants”? Here in Nigeria and perhaps in the whole of the African continent, real dependants are more than under aged children (whether biological, adopted or step). There are many more dependants than the spaces made available on any form.
So we fill out our forms and state our dependants. And then I am wondering what about “us”? Who or what is it that “we” depend on for others to depend on us? Many will say its is the source of income, the job, the business, “The Hustle” or what ever else it is that we do for money. And that is all good. But when the chips are down, WHO is it that “we” depend on? The Collins dictionary defines the noun “dependant” as “a person who depends on another person for support, aid or sustenance, especially financial support.”
There is a saying in Yoruba that is loosely translated thus: “A river that forgets it source will eventually dry up!” Now that; is something. The one whom others depend upon must also be refreshed or replenished otherwise there will be nothing to draw upon after a while. Having a source of livelihood is one thing. But how do you ensure that you will continue to do well at that job, that the investment will continue to yield returns, that your product will still be relevant in the market, that the project will not be called off or that business will not be locked down, or that contract cancelled?
As we come into a new year, it is important that we decide exactly who it is that we want to depend on. These are very strange times and nothing that we ever held on to in the past will see us through these times, like total dependence on the God. And if you have been in the habit of looking up to that uncle or cousin or relative who is the close friend of a Senator or of the Chairman of the bank, or that General in the army, please think twice. This is certainly not the time to trust in the arm of flesh. Hear what the word of God says: “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.” Psalms 146:3 NLT
This is the time to trust God completely. There is no other way. Short cuts could be fatal. Hold on to Jesus now like your every breath depends on Him, because it actually does. In fact doing anything contrary to that is as good as operating under a curse. “I, the Lord, have put a curse on those who turn from me and trust in human strength.” Jeremiah 17: 5 Contemporary English Version
And the very flip side of trusting God and depending on Him attracts serious blessings. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 KJV
Is this not a season of drought? Yet when we trust in God we will not feel it. There should be no faffing around or pussyfooting about this year.Make up your mind to trust God completely. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
This is our God-given mandate. And let us not joke with it.
Dear friends, as we continue on our 2021 journey, whatever our hands have been doing or will find to do, no matter how many people (blood relations or not) rely on us for help and sustenance, “Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfil the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.” Deuteronomy 18:8 NLT
THIS IS THE TIME TO DEPEND ON GOD!
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©