By S.B. WILLIAMS
This article is intended to be a sincere appeal to the youths to reconsider their position as future leaders of this nation and dispel every tendency to lawlessness and taking the law into their own hands.
It is unfortunate that youths have allowed themselves to be misled into dastardly acts resulting in the death of many youths. When are the youths going to learn their lesson and walk on the path of peace 24 hours a day? It is time for youth to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Life is a race and in the race no one takes part without prior practice. In the same way youths should patiently and humbly undergo the required training that will equip them to participate in National adult programs.
Shakespeare said:
“It is the privilege of early youth to live in advance of its age…. without thought and no introspection”. In other words, youths should engage in activities which, by virtue of their age, they are not mature to undertake.
THE FEAR OF GOD
The word of God says: “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccle. 12:1).
Let me tell the youths and young adults with all seriousness that anyone who does not believe in the existence of God is already on the path of eternal destruction. And anyone who fails to obey God’s command to love God and his fellow men is equally doomed for eternal destruction. Prepare for eternity and end all wickedness and violence.
GOD HATES VIOLENCE
God hates violence with perfect hatred how do I know this? In Psalm 11:5 we read: “the Lord trieth the righteous; but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth”.
I use this platform to plead with all youths to avoid violence and save their souls. Youths may take it as a joke but the truth is that violence is sin of the highest order if it should be classified. Remember that the person or people you are destroying are God’s property and you destroy them without His permission. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). Be warned!
YOUTHS WHO SUCCEEDED WITHOUT VIOLENCE
JOSEPH, SON OF JACOB (GEN 37-50)
The life of Joseph is an example that youths should emulate if they desire peace in the nation. If all the youths say “No” to all forms of violence, there will be lasting peace in this nation. “The story of Joseph is especially instructive in showing the discipline of misfortune and adversity.
In Shakespeare`s AS YOU LIKE IT. The banished duke states;
“Sweet are the uses of adversity which like a toad, ugly and venous wears yet a precious tool in its head.
And this our life, exempt from public hunt, finds tongues in trees, books in running streams, sermons in stones and good in everything”
This is an expression of courage, faith, optimism and patience. This should be the attitude of youths to all life situations.
Reflecting further on Joseph’s life we find out that, his life was full of humility, silent obedience in the face of false accusations, slavery and unjust Imprisonment. He also refused to sin against God, by not yielding, to the temptation to commit adultery with his master Potiphars wife. (In the end Joseph became Prime Minister in a strange country EGYPT.
Time will fail one to talk about DAVID who fought only to kill the mighty enemy Goliath and the Philistine arch enemies of his people. Even when he had an opportunity to kill king Saul who was trying to kill him he, refused to do so, saying ‘the Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed…’ Youths should think likewise.
Let me make this clear; Leaders are appointed by God and He does not appoint them because they are the most qualified. Otherwise King Saul could not have disobeyed God.
There is no good reason for youths to use violence to express their grievances or dissatisfaction against government order or activities etc. Violence results in destruction of lives and property. When your violence leads to the destruction of public buildings, structures, human lives etc, does the nation benefit from it?
STOP VIOLENCE IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE THE FUTURE LEADERS OF SIERRA LEONE.
Don’t give the Devil more innocent blood to drink!
THE GLORY OF YOUTH
The glory of youth lies in the understanding that God is their creator, ruler, preserver and the only one to be worshipped. “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, “saith the Lord. Also the scriptures say: “Children are a heritage of the Lord” this glory should encourage youth to avoid all rebellion, violence and wickedness to maintain their glorious image.
AS FUTURE LEADERS
Youths know that they are destined to be future leaders of this nation but there seems to be no indication that they are thinking of the kind of leadership they will present. It is natural that, bad impressions always overshadow good impressions. By implication this means that the good image of Sierra Leone youths has long been overshadowed by the activities of youths who have been misdirected into lawlessness, ungodliness, violence, sadistic tendencies etc. This article is mainly directed to such youths. I want to ask the youths a few questions.
- Are you going to inherit a nation where leadership depends on physical strength —, void of human love?
- Are you going to inherit leadership in which the life of others means little or nothing to you?
- Are you going to present leadership in which you (yourself) have destroyed all the historic, monumental and life sustaining institutions?
- Are you going to present leadership that encourages negative tribalism and wickedness?
- Are you going to present leadership that will despise our national motto: “UNITY, FREEDOM, JUSTICE”?
If your answer to these questions is “NO” then I can tell you that your actions over the years of political violence, tribal division, nepotism and injustice have not indicated that you will run a peaceful Sierra Leone when your time comes.
Unless, your mind set is changed from negative “I hate you” to positive “I love you”. This country is doomed under your leadership which your fathers and elders would have long gone either to heaven or to hell.
NEED FOR REPENTANCE
God loves the youths but they need to repent for their past evil activities through prayer and fasting and the merciful God will hear them and bless them. “A word for the wise is sufficient’.