It's another Friday, and without further ado, I'll dive right in.
This past week, I found myself scrolling through my Twitter
feed when I stumbled upon an intriguing question aimed at single women:
"Which one is easier between responding to inbox messages and climbing
mountains in search of husbands?"
Let me provide some context. The Malawian Twitter community
can be incredibly harsh, showing no restraint when it comes to trolling others.
People are verbally attacked day in and day out for no apparent reason; insults
know no bounds, targeting family, children, economic status, religion,
education, and career. All of these can be used against you in what's known as
a Twitter war. However, the same platform also hosts individuals sharing
thought-provoking content and posing questions that push people to think on
their feet. Given the nature of the Malawian community, you can probably guess
the type of content that gets people engaged.
When this particular question about fasting and praying for
a husband versus responding to messages emerged, I wasn't sure how the masses
would react. Part of me anticipated hostility, while the other thought there
might be no response at all. In my assumption, those who are fervently praying
in the mountains for husbands wouldn't engage in potentially volatile content,
and those who weren't wouldn't have a reason to respond. What I had overlooked
was the entire topic of strangers messaging women, as I was reminded by the
responses from the ladies.
To my surprise, all the ladies responded in unison, stating
that fasting and praying were easier. According to them, most of the guys
sliding into their private messages were only interested in asking when the
lady would visit, making it evident they weren't seeking a genuine connection.
Some lamented the tedious and repetitive patterns of messages they received
from men: "How are you? Have you eaten? How was your day?" The
consensus? Praying for a husband is the better option.
You might be familiar with Reverend Yassin Gama of the Mvama
church in the Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. If
not, you've probably seen one of his viral clips where he imparts wisdom on
various subjects, including love relationships. In one such clip, he cautioned
ladies seeking partners against relying solely on prayer without taking action.
His advice included taking a shower, putting on makeup, and going for a walk,
in addition to prayers. One could say the Reverend was advocating for faith
coupled with works, akin to Apostle Paul's teachings.
I'm certain there was a valid reason the pastor emphasized
this message. There are people who pray about matters without taking any
action. You might have heard of individuals who failed to complete their
studies because they relied solely on divine intervention, neglecting the
importance of studying. Others pray for financial breakthroughs and miracle
money without putting in the effort to earn a living through their skills and
talents.
In case you think I'm against prayer, that's not my point. I
want to emphasize that there's no such thing as a free ride. To acquire skills,
one must invest time in studying and practicing. Even if you pray for divine
intervention in your medical education, you still need to understand the
intricacies of anatomy and practice techniques, not just for exams but also for
the safety of your future patients.
For people of faith, maintaining a constant connection with
the Creator is vital. Humans are meant to be in constant communion with the
source, and part of this interaction involves asking for personal needs.
However, we must acknowledge that some needs can be met through people sent
into our lives by a higher power. If you're unwell, visit a medical doctor who
can diagnose the issue and provide a remedy. Seeking information? Utilize the
internet or read books. Pastors write books for the same reason men of the
cloth spend years in training; some knowledge is acquired through rigorous
study. There are times when there are limitations to what humans can do, and in
such cases, turning to a higher power doesn't seem unreasonable. You've done
your part, and the rest is up to the Creator. However, we should never ignore
the resources available to us for improving our lives on this planet we call
Earth.
Allow me to share an anecdote from a student who pursued
postgraduate studies in China. He recounted his experience with a church there,
highlighting their weekly prayers in university halls, followed by
"swallowship." One day, during prayer requests, a student from
Cameroon raised a concern about a persistent toothache. When asked if he had
seen a dentist, the response was negative. Someone from the congregation
volunteered to accompany him to the dentist. Another student from Zimbabwe
expressed difficulty understanding complex mathematical content, especially
close to exam time. Rather than praying, the group assigned someone proficient
in the subject to provide peer tutoring. After addressing these issues, the
leader inquired about further prayer requests, met with silence, and concluded
the session with a closing prayer.
This story, originally written in Chichewa with a sprinkle
of sarcasm, underscored the importance of exploring different cultures and
learning how others tackle problems. I on the other hand, will lean towards
emphasizing the significance of using the resources available to us to solve
daily challenges and enhance our lives. Even when seeking divine intervention,
we should recognize the answers to our prayers within our surroundings.
However, I might have leaned too heavily toward one
perspective and failed to provide a balanced view. I acknowledge that I may not
have emphasized the value of divine intervention as much, but for now, I'll
deliberately leave it at that. Let's learn to employ our hands and minds to
better our situations. Unfortunately, this might be challenging for some, especially
when congregating in places where young entrepreneurs are encouraged to pray
for capital while the pastor solicits funds from the congregation for a new
car. We're also a people who pray for rains annually despite having a water
axis running from north to south. Perhaps what we need to pray for is a change
in mindset. Frankly, I can't think of any solution to that.
I put it to you, then. Which is easier between praying for a
husband and responding to a message from a stranger who could potentially
become a soulmate? Whatever your answer is may not be important. What is
important is that you learn from one Reverend Yassin Gama. After praying, take
a shower and wear some nice perfume on your way to find a husband. And I am not
just referring to relationships. Do this in every aspect of your life, and you
will see a positive change.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
