So I am in a BRT bus again, on my way to CMS and thankfully the incident that usually happens hasn’t happened today.
But it almost always happens.
Here’s how it goes…
I sit in a bus and some young secondary school kids try to board the BRT bus to get home after school and the driver barks at these young kids and drives off in anger.
And I usually sit there thinking “but why are you so mad? And why do you have no iota of compassion inside of you?”.
It would seem that the world has gone bonkers these days. Almost everyone has a seed of anger inside of them, one that casts a veil upon the place where love used to live.
When I go out in public each day, my heart bleeds.
When I go out in public each day, my heart bleeds.
I was sitting again in a bus on my way to the Island when a guy with blood gushing from his head wanted to get into the bus so he could go to the hospital… and the driver refused to let him in.
I didn’t know when I shouted “Oga abeg I go pay the transport fare”
I didn’t know when I shouted “Oga abeg I go pay the transport fare”
I thought money was the issue and even though I didn’t have enough, what’s a life compared to 150 Naira?
But the driver drove off, muttering “he go dirty my seats”.
And I lay my head down, with tears brimming in my eyes, asking God “what’s happening Lord? What’s happening to humanity? How can someone choose his car seats over a life?”
I cried, my heart was in pain.
And I prayed; praying for the hearts in this our nation.
And I lay my head down, with tears brimming in my eyes, asking God “what’s happening Lord? What’s happening to humanity? How can someone choose his car seats over a life?”
I cried, my heart was in pain.
And I prayed; praying for the hearts in this our nation.
The truth is we pray for God to help us out of our economic issues but refuse to do what God wants.
In Isaiah 58 God expressly says that the fast He wants isn’t the one where we bow our heads religiously, wearing sack clothes all around to show that we are religious… and unfortunately, that’s what most of us do.
The Word expressly says “set free the oppressed, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, release your workers from the unreasonable burden you have put them under…”
In Isaiah 58 God expressly says that the fast He wants isn’t the one where we bow our heads religiously, wearing sack clothes all around to show that we are religious… and unfortunately, that’s what most of us do.
The Word expressly says “set free the oppressed, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, release your workers from the unreasonable burden you have put them under…”
But we have so many oppressed people in Nigeria. Oppression is almost a normal thing in this country.
The rich throw their money around, shutting up the seemingly poor.
Using their “name” to jump the “small boy” in queues, hitting cars on the road and claiming rights because “you are a big man”.
The rich throw their money around, shutting up the seemingly poor.
Using their “name” to jump the “small boy” in queues, hitting cars on the road and claiming rights because “you are a big man”.
How did our hearts get so seared that we feel nothing for the oppressed?
How did our conscience get so bad that we would gladly allow a man to die because our car seats are going to get stained?
And the one that hurts me the most, why would you drive off when a young girl/boy coming from school wants to stand (not even sit) in your bus so that they can get home?
If our hearts are closed to young children, then who can our hearts open up to?
How did our conscience get so bad that we would gladly allow a man to die because our car seats are going to get stained?
And the one that hurts me the most, why would you drive off when a young girl/boy coming from school wants to stand (not even sit) in your bus so that they can get home?
If our hearts are closed to young children, then who can our hearts open up to?
We still have amazing people in Nigeria and I have met a lot of them. I have even written about some of my experiences here on Bella Naija… but this is just a plea to us all.
Oh please my country men and women, have some compassion on your fellow brother.
We know that everyone is hurting, the traffic situation in Lagos is a disaster, the fuel issues are terrible… but if we let these things turn our hearts into stones then indeed we have nothing left. Next time you go out on the streets, watch out for that helpless soul that you can help.
Even if you can’t help, please pray.
Oh please my country men and women, have some compassion on your fellow brother.
We know that everyone is hurting, the traffic situation in Lagos is a disaster, the fuel issues are terrible… but if we let these things turn our hearts into stones then indeed we have nothing left. Next time you go out on the streets, watch out for that helpless soul that you can help.
Even if you can’t help, please pray.
Our Nation needs help. And it starts with us.
We keep praying for change and help from God but our own attitudes and character negate our prayers.
Wickedness and oppression, everywhere you turn.
Wickedness and oppression, everywhere you turn.
Oh we need help. Our land needs help. And the help would start from us making the necessary changes in our hearts.
Compassion, my sisters and brothers. Have some compassion as you go out today.
Be constrained by the spirit of love and have some compassion.
Be constrained by the spirit of love and have some compassion.
written by: Frances Okoro
Photo Credit: Dreamstime
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