Category: Allgemein

Only the Owner Knows the Worth

A man works on a bag strap in a workshop, with tools and materials visible in the background. A medium-sized bag is showcased on a stool in the foreground.A man works on a bag strap in a workshop, with tools and materials visible in the background. A medium-sized bag is showcased on a stool in the foreground.
Like a master craftsman, we are all designed with purpose

I have had a very long-term struggle with my self-worth. For a very long time and until recently, I failed to realize that I was not the determining factor of my worth. My worth is not based on the things I accomplish, acquire or fail at. My worth was fixed way before I was even born. Way before my parents were born. So, it does not matter how I choose to see myself or how others put my value at, my real value or worth was decided and set in stone by God before I stepped on earth.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16 ESV

What made things change for me was finally coming into alignment with what God had defined as my worth and walk with this truth. A wise woman once shared this analogy, which also helped me reorient my thinking. She said, take the best quality and most expensive bag you know, like this AI-generated bag in the photo. When the owner designed the bag, she or he had a purpose for the bag. Perhaps it was to be a complement to a particular dress, or to be a bag that could carry some specific amount of weight. Now the owner would choose the resources for the bag based on this purpose. The owner would determine, for example, what kind of material or leather would best fit the goal he or she wanted to achieve with the bag. In the end, when the bag is created, it is only the owner who knows how much thought, how much toil and time, and the costs invested into creating the bag. It is the owner of the bag who can tell the real value of the bag, not the bag (the creation), nor the people who wish to buy it.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV

God made everyone one-of-a-kind, a masterpiece of art, that is irreplaceable. He knew what He wanted us to achieve and created us for this purpose. God’s plan was set in motion even before we were born, God does not make up things along the way. Nothing about us catches Him by surprise. So, if my Maker says His plan for me is for good and everything is working out for my good, who am I to argue with Him, only because I do not see my life in the way that God, the creator and owner, sees my life.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

I am still a work in progress, but it has been amazing for me to see how aligning my thoughts with God’s thoughts caused a major shift in how I value myself. I am pressing on and hope to come in complete alignment with His defined value for me, which is not hidden somewhere, but written in His Word.

The Parable of the Senior Brother

A digital artwork showing a village scene with mudbrick houses and figures celebrating. A mature figure embraces a younger one in the center, while another figure stands apart with crossed arms. Other figures are playing instruments and observing. Colorful cloths are draped around, and the scene is lit by a warm, setting sun.

AI-generated image depicting the Parable of the Prodigal Son in a Ghanaian setting

 

In the parable of the prodigal son, the senior brother was angry and refused to join the celebration of his brother’s return. What really made him angry was that his father celebrated the return of his brother, who had been careless with the father’s share of the property. In his opinion, such a celebration should have been reserved for him, the one who stayed, was obedient, and served.  

In life, we often associate celebration with accomplishment, with achieved success, not with rebellion or disobedience. The celebration reported in the parable of the prodigal son comes as awkward for the senior brother, almost a disregard for his diligence.  What the senior brother failed to see was that the celebration was an outpouring of grace. It had nothing to do with his younger brother’s past deeds. The celebration was that his junior brother had returned, and most importantly, with a new perspective on life. The junior brother had recognized his past ways as wrong and repented for them. That was something his father, in an act of pure grace, saw as worthy of celebration. Though his senior brother viewed his younger brother by his past sins, what he did not recognize was that his junior brother had made a shift from who he used to be. As his father said, “… It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive…”. Basically, he had begun a new life, and that is worthy of celebration.

God’s arms are always wide open. God is full of grace and consistently looks forward to welcoming anyone who needs to return to Him to that place where we always felt at home. He is forever hopeful that one day, like the prodigal son, we will come to ourselves and run back home to him. When we do take that step to come home, our heavenly Father will throw a party and rejoice. We should keep in mind that those who remained faithful, our ‘senior brothers’, will see us in the light of the person we used to be and not be worth the fuss of a celebration. This is expected, especially as they held the fort while we were out and about in rebellion. What we need to do is pray for our ‘senior brothers’ so that they come into alignment with God and see that we were then dead and now only started living. And that indeed is a cause for God to rejoice.

 

The parable of the prodigal son can be found in Luke 15:11-31.

And forgive us, as we forgive ourselves

God is compassionate

Eager to forgive

Eager to forget

Of God’s forgiveness, we are sure

So, we ask.

 

And then there is us, flawed

Holding back in forgiving ourselves

Unwilling to let the past go

Unable to heal.

 

Too harsh with our thoughts, daily

Confident that if time could turn back

An error-free life would be ours

Forgetful our kind is born of errors

Empowered just for change

Today and tomorrow.

 

We should give ourselves forgiveness

The kind we seek from God

Allow ourselves redemption

Allow freedom

Allow forgetfulness.

 

It’s okay

I stumbled

I learned

I forgive myself

I let go

I forget

Sweet

She wanted sweet too – just like the others.

For though everyone called her strong she knew she was only playing the part they wanted. She was not strong. Not even a bit of what they expected of her. For there were some who deserved to have it sweet and some, like her, with no sweetness.

She had once tried that sweetness too, tempted by the stories she had heard. In the secret of darkness where no one could see her. But it kept ringing in her head even when she tried it, that her place was between the rocks.

For she felt wrong while she lay there, doing nothing and letting the drips of honey fall on her tongue.

Sweet tasted sweet and that was it.

Maybe if she had stayed and drowned her mind‘s taunts in the sea, maybe just maybe she would have become what all who dripped in honey became. Sweet.

And now she is something between sour and bitter – for her tongue no longer remembers what sweet tastes like.

Yet she yearns for it. She dreams of it.

That someday she will not have to pretend. Not pretend to be strong but be strong because she is. And be sweet because she is.

The Future is Female!

The first time I saw this statement was on a T-Shirt. The words bit me.  It sounds offensive, doesn’t it? What is this even meant to mean, I thought? I googled. I found varying opinions and reviews on this statement. So, what does this statement even mean?

Initially I assumed it meant simply the future belonged to females.  Where would the men be then? What would happen to our men, our fathers, sons and brothers? Would they go extinct?  What sort of a world would that be?

The first time “The future is female” statement was seen was in 1975 on a T-Shirt in the United States, during a period in the US noted as the second wave of feminism. It became more popular when Hillary Clinton used it as the title of her Book and when she run to be voted as the US President.

How is the future female?

I stand for women empowerment; but when I first saw that statement, I found it outrageous. Why so? I am female so if the future would be or belong to females it should make me happy shouldn’t it? As I later realised, the reason this statement made me uneasy was because the world often places one class as dominant (gender, race etc) over the other. So, what made it outrageous was the quick comparison to the male gender my mind made, thinking that empowering females meant a “de-powering” or “un-empowering” of males which is a totally wrong perspective to have as a feminist, I should confess.

Therefore, the assumption that once a woman is empowered somehow “un-powers” or displaces a man, is untrue. This might be the reason why in certain cultures or societies female empowerment is faced with strong opposition.

What if the statement was edited to be “if today is male, the future is female”? Does it make it more tolerable? If gender equality cannot be achieved today how about tomorrow? And if it will be achieved tomorrow, how will we get there?

Accepting the future as female.

I describe myself as one who believes that women are capable of making decisions about their bodies, should be enabled and empowered to be all they desire to be. I am one who believes that women should be allowed to be everything they want to be and even more.

But then there is society, there is religion and culture which often stands in the way of what a woman must be or permitted to do. And with time, as one with an interest in such issues, I have come to accept that what often impedes a woman’s empowerment is herself.

I think when women begin to limit themselves, hold back and avoid pursuing certain jobs or education because society decides who must take up what to whose benefit therein lies the greatest defeat to women empowerment. Using my life as an example, though I am currently in a field predominantly male, after high school I had a keen interest in Mechanics (mechanical engineering) and got an offer from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to study it. I however did not pursue it as I was informed of the low employment options for females in this area in Ghana.

Looking back, I question myself as to what other opportunities I have missed out on because it looked addressed to males or society felt it was not in my place to pursue them.

The biggest challenge to preparing for a future that is female in my opinion is believing in the voices of society, culture or family and starting to pursue less of oneself and believing that you are incapable. Therein lies the true threat to women empowerment. The fact that in another household a woman can be a medical practitioner and in another household another though equally capable, drops out of school because she accepts that a woman will no matter what end up in the kitchen is sad.

The future is female might seem impossible and perhaps only one for dreamers. But what if as outrageous as it sounds, the limitations to women to be Leaders, Entrepreneurs, mothers and function fully as professionals and receive Renumeration just as men can only be taken away if this statement is pursued today. If today belongs to the men tomorrow can be ours if we work on breaking down the varying barriers to women’s financial freedom, illiteracy and self believe.

Image Source: Edward Kimmel from Takoma Park, MD – Women’s March 0832

The tales of the traveller 

(Inspired by Thomas Frimpong & Eric Agyeman’s song – Menenam Mu)

The tales of the traveller should only be told by those who have walked those paths. For those who have never taken those paths assume it is an easy feat.

A fairytale of sorts.

The dares of the life of the traveller are many – and before one knows it, the traveller has been catapulted to a place where the return home is treacherous.

The traveller will see what must not be seen. The traveller will sleep where one must not sleep. The traveller will hear what must not be heard. However, many are the lures that keep the traveller fixated on the path where return is another new dream. For whatever negative the traveller encounters, he will comfort himself, mostly with the brightness of a future, which is the better day to come.

The curse of the gold that needs to be returned to its home pushes the traveller further into many unthinkable feats. Before he knows it, the traveller is convinced return can only be possible with the cursed gold.  

Though cursed, the gold must build a home – a home he may never live in but contented it sits empty, surrounded by grass. And that’s even a happy ending. With the gold, he must ensure no one is left behind. Even if he must sleep in hunger or on a bed that tires his bones. It must be done.

As the elders say, the bird that fails to fly will sleep in hunger. And thus, the traveller must keep gathering, even where food is farthest from their nest. 

God I beg

Prayer stalwarts say that God answers prayers that are scripture based – we should avoid the blabber of words. That He prefers prayers that are consistent – thus we ought to keep knocking. And that midnights are the best times to seek God in prayer – we should beat sleep and stay up to pray. 

However, there come certain days when the spirit indeed wills to pray – long consistent scripture based prayers in the quiet hours of the night, yet the flesh is weak. Sometimes, all we can manage are murmurs and whisperings, for elaborate wordings fail us. 

On such days when we are torn apart and weary, and all we can manage are the one-sentence prayers: 

       “God I beg” or  “God help me” or  “God have mercy on me” 

For on those days, our memories fail to reconcile with Bible verses. Our strength is feeble, our pain very real.

All we have on those days is the faith that we have a father above who hears us even when our words are whispers and one sentence prayers. Because we believe we have a father who wants us to call Him on the day of trouble – even when words are few – He will come to the rescue.

So until the days when long prayers enriched with Bible verses return, and flesh brought to a low , I will call anyhow and anyway I can to my father who hears, sees and feels me each day! For He will come through! This I am certain!

How to strike and conduct life changing and mind stimulating conversations with persons of migrant backgrounds.

Developed by the Immaculate Centre for Impeccable Migrant Studies 

Approved and certified by the Institute of Quality International Communications (IQIC) 

As much as we celebrate the worldwide success of these guidelines, we advise our users to approach these guidelines with utmost precision. Especially in Europe where migrants might prove difficult to engage with. 

For the best use experience, we advise targeting migrants that are visually easy to identify, for example persons with darker skins tones, with too colourful clothing and or with hair textures on the extreme ends of curly and straight.  

Begin with our guide and ask the questions we have developed with our stakeholders and tested on most streets in Europe. As our studies have shown, most migrants are very serious-minded persons and do not enjoy comical interactions nor humour filled conversations. Many of our users report that starting such conversations with a stern face is bound to bring the best of results. 

Now to the guidelines: 

  • First ask them where they migrated from because it really is the only way to strike a conversation with a migrant. It is the most important piece of information you need to establish, to possess and build on. How can you establish a bond with them if you have no idea of their national affiliation? (Hint) If it is obvious, they are from Africa, get straight to the point and ask which part of Africa they are from. Ask by what means they travelled, so far from their motherland and whether it was by the sea, through the desert, or by foot to reach these lands of their dreams. 

 

  •  Second, share with them all you know about migrants. tell them about every other migrant you know, have known and will know. For those experiences helps position you as one with the understanding for the things of migrants. In telling them this rich compilation of information, you are bound to discover all the common things you have with them. Because the experiences of one foreigner is really not far from another. 

 

  • Third, remind them in conversation of how interesting their cultures are and how you believe in the authenticity of their culture. Affirm their culture by sharing the book you read, film you watched or restaurant you visited affiliated to their culture.  

 

  •  Fourth, slow speak. It has been proven that even when a human being does not understand a language and you slow speak it is bound to spark a particular part of their brain known for the ability to understand any language even those never heard before. This is a particular identified trait especially identified in the brain of migrants. 

 

  • Fifth, now that many grounds have been established, ask them if they do not miss home or even better, to tell you more about how life was at home. For home is home. For everyone. There is a never dying unique fondness to the migrant’s home. Peer into the details. Ask about family and friends. Ask when they return home. 

 

These five ways as seen and covered on international television with phenomenal results published in numerous international journals and now brought to you in these five easy steps are bound to dive you into transformative educational conversations and learnings with migrants.  

Persons who have used these guidelines have reported tremendous one-sided conversations that have lingered on their minds for years. 

How to choose a church

Looking for a church? I wrote this “sort of” how-to-guide, inspired because I moved to a new city and on the quest for a new church. Perhaps you are also in my situation, or you are new to Christ and Christianity, or simply need a new church, I hope this piece provides some helpful points for finding and choosing a church.

Over the past years, I have had to move to new cities a couple of times. My approach in the past often started with a Google search and making enquiries on social media or within social – circles. However, I believe finding a church requires some sitting down and reflection on our basis for finding a church. We need to ask and answer some key questions. This can be described as a pre-planning phase as well as a “getting to know self” stage.

Here are three questions I believe we need to set out time to reflect on and find the answers to.

  • Why do I go to church, or why should I go to church?

The Bible is clear in Hebrews 10:25 to not stop going to church. We are advised to always go to church so that we stay spurred on in our walk with Christ. Church is the place to be stirred up in love, faith, and joy and the place to stir up our gifts and all other good works (Hebrews 10:24).

Do not stop going to church meetings. Some people do stop. But help each other to be strong. You must do it all the more as you see the Great Day coming closer. Hebrews 10:25 (WE)

This question however is a personal one, like our relationship with Christ. It is necessary we ask ourselves why and find the answers. Maybe you have been on the church routine long enough and need to refresh those reasons. Some of us have been in church since we were babies. It was how we spent time together as a family, the only weekly family activity or event. For some, church was where we discovered us, our gifts, and what God had to say about us. For some, church was and has always been there. “I chose this church because it is the nearest to my home”, “A friend invited me to church, I liked it and I stayed”, “The church music was good”, “The pastor preaches such a sermon here”.

Yes, these are all great reasons to attend church, but why do we go to church? What convicts us to stay in church?

Because we are going to need that conviction when the friend leaves, when the music becomes bad, when the new pastor has no prophetic sermons and when everything tells us it is time to take a break or leave.

Another question, which may be helpful in finding answers to the above, would be finding out what you require from a church.

  • What do I need from a church?

Everyone has some needs that need to be met. They could be physical, financial, spiritual, etc. At some point, hopefully, when it comes to the church, our needs are in par with Christ. As a new believer, the need could be to learn more about the foundations of the faith. Other needs could be: to be loved and encouraged, to explore talents, to have a family, etc. Someone may join a church with the need for a job or livelihood. There are people who found their first jobs or business contracts in church. Someone may join with the need for spiritual growth. As unique as our relationships with God are, so are our needs when it comes to church. Finding the answers helps us to know if our needs are being met, and if not, ensure they are being met. It helps with the resolve to stay in and connected to church when we do not feel like it.

Hopefully, now we know why we go to church and what we require from the church. Another question, that might not cross our minds, is the expectations of the church. Church should be a two-way-relationship, where we receive from the church, and we give to the church as well.

  • What does the church need from me?

No church leader desires a rebellious congregation or a congregation that refuses to align with church goals. There are churches that are not eager to accept anyone as a member. They desire committed members who will dedicate themselves to the growth and wellbeing of the church. When we become members of a church, we are submitting to the church authority. We are submitting to its rules and doctrines. The church may need financial and time commitments as well as skills commitment. We need to be ready and consider this as well. Every church requires dedicated and consistent members. Is that something we can do or are willing to do? Considering factors such as location of the church, the make-up of the church, the stage (new or old) the church is in, what sacrifices would we need to make to help the church. Are we ready to partake in church events and go out of our comfort zones when the church’s needs are to be met?

Church does not belong to the church leadership. The church is us, and we all make up the body of Christ. As it is explained in 1 Corinthians 12, all parts are important. Those visible and those behind the scenes. As much it is significant for the visible to be hard-working, those behind the scenes are influential for making it all come together.

The final but the first thing to consider and the most significant part of this self-reflection is to pray. Pray. It is great to know why we go to church, what we need from church, and what we can offer to the church. However, God knows us best. Pray and put every request before God, including this quest for a church. We need to pray for a church that meets His desires for this glorious person He created us to be. That He directs us in finding a church where we will grow to know Him more and be all we are expected to be.

Grateful for the little things

In times such as these, when a lot is happening in and around us, it is a good thing to take 2 minutes out of your day to bring joy to your heart. To stir up hope in your heart and be grateful for what you have and have experienced thus far.

One of the ways I bring joy to my heart is to list the little things that neither cost me nor need my intervention to happen. Yet their occurrence brings or has brought joy many times to my heart.

What are some of the little things that bring joy to your heart and stirs up hope?

Here are my list of little things that make me happy:

  1. The warmness of the morning or spring sun on my skin
  2. The kindness of a stranger – when a stranger offers to help me or offers me their seat
  3. My son laughing in his sleep at night
  4. A hug and kiss from my son
  5. A smile from my son
  6. Seeing my son happy
  7. Wearing my hair in an afro-puff
  8. A heart-to-heart conversation with a friend
  9. Singing with a friend or a group like in church
  10. A clear night, lit with stars and the moon
  11. The chirping of birds in the morning
  12. The sound of children playing

I hope this list inspires you to think about the little things that makes you happy.

Take a few minutes, some paper or just your thoughts and try to see how many you come up with.

And see how your heart swells with joy.