I am never one to write on controversial issues, but when everything is pointing me towards them, I am expectedly inspired to do so. This Thursday, Kenyans on Twitter ganged up on the renowned Bishop T.D. Jakes after his session on trashing Preachers of L.A. continued into, much to his oblivion, uncalled for comments about Kenya. (Kenya crops up everywhere nowadays. We’re famous people y’all!)
First of all, back in the day, before we all had Twitter and Internet, no one would have known that he had said that and he would not have had to apologize. Enter the year 2013 and anyone who says anything in the glare of cameras has to apologize to #KOT every time they say the slightest thing that rubs them the wrong way. It happened to Botswana, CNN, NMG… Who knows who or what is next?
Anyway, that is beside the point. The reason Jakes ended up mentioning “the natives all over Kenya” is because he felt the need to boast about his works. It is never rosy once you go down that path travelled by many. One moment you’re talking about how someone else is showing off and you’re not and the next you’re taking it a notch higher than him.
It happened that on the very same Thursday, I opened the Bible randomly and found myself on 2 Corinthians 10. (It happens.) Paul is quick to defend his ministry, pretty much the same thing Jakes was trying to do. He just took a different approach. Paul begins by ‘beseeching’ the Corinthians ‘by the meekness and gentleness of Christ’. He talks about boldness and boasting in the Lord.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 2 Corinthians 10:18 (I had to go all KJV on you today.)
I will be brief today, because I believe that is all I need to say. Boasting does not make you any better or even lovable. Boasting may end up in hurting people whether you think it was your intent or not. I learnt a new word after reading the statement from Bishop T.D. Jakes by the way. Extemporaneous. He says his extemporaneous comments were taken out of context. Yes, boasting of your works will make you come up with big words like this one to cover up for whatever you said. As I have always said, words can build you up and words can bring you down.
And while we are at it, another English ‘guru’ on Wazua thought it wise to claim that Kenyans are not well versed in English and should not be up in arms for being referred to as natives. Well, that is a story for another day.
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. James 4:17
Be careful little mouth what you say.
Of course this will not be complete if I do not sign off with lyrics from good ol’ Lecrae’s Boasting. (Technically, it’s Anthony Evans.)
If this life has anything to gain at all,
I’ll count it lost if I can’t hear you, feel you, ’cause I need you,
Can’t walk this earth alone.
I recognize I’m not my own, so before I fall
I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone.
