“Your
pride for your country should not come after your country becomes great; your
country becomes great because of your pride in it.” ― Idowu Koyenikan
Nation-building speaks of a nation in need of
building; or, in some cases, rebuilding. The term is usually used to refer to
newly-independent nations in the process of development. Some of the activities
during the process of nation-building may include the creation of stuff like
flags, national anthems, national holidays, national languages, etc.
Many teenagers faced with the challenge to contribute
to the building of their countries would probably be thinking that they are too
young to do so. But Apostle Paul encouraged the young Timothy thus: “Don’t let anyone
think less of you because you are young. But be an example to all believers in
what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
As Christians, we
should use our faith to shape our involvement in the process of building our
nations. This is
because we believe that our Christian principles are holistic and will enable
us to put into practice, the kingdom values as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, if we see the world as God’s landscape for transformation (Mark 7: 22-23), we should be asking ourselves, “What kind of nation do
we want to build”? One of our
most significant roles, which is that of the church too, should be in the area
of social justice. The Catholic Church, for instance, has been working at
issues of social justice for many years. The Jesuit order is specifically
tasked with this very responsibility and role.
We can also practice kingdom values by building a
world of greater harmony between different ethnicities, religions and peoples. In
our relationships at home, school and in the community, we can follow the
footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ by participating in the integration of man
with God and with the environment. This can be achieved through our godly lifestyle
and through our efforts at ensuring the sustainable environmental development
in our respective communities.
So, teenagers are a significant
part of the beat and pulse of any nation and should play a tremendous role in their
building and development. They are full of idealism; they desire to change the
world; they have the raw passion to push forward; and the energy to execute their
dreams and ideas.
There are many examples in the Bible of young people
rising as leaders who built great nations. We
get to read about David, Joseph, and our Lord Jesus himself and the countless young
people around the world today living the truths they believe in and making
positive impact in every sphere of life. We can also carve that niche to exercise
our ability to impact society and make a tremendous difference in our nations. Age
should be no barrier. We should be educated, from a young age, on democratic
principles, social justice and work on cultivating the values that eventually
build a nation.
Matthew
5:13-16,
“You are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty?
It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are
wet and slippery]. You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill
cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light
a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to
all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a
way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in
heaven”.
The
Bible refers to us as change agents, special people, etc. We are not here to
mark some sort of ‘attendance register’ on Planet Earth. We are here to make
the difference, to be solution-providers, the go-to peeps. There’s this quote
by Billy Graham, “We are the Bibles the world is reading; We are the creeds the world is
needing; We are the sermons the world is heeding”. That is what ‘salt’ and ‘light’
do. Salt brings out the best in the taste of the food. It also helps to
preserve food. Light clears the ‘air’ where there is darkness. Most people are
afraid of the dark but when the light is switched on, fear disappears. That is
the kind of impact we are expected to make, even as teenagers.
“We
are indeed the light of the world–but only if our switch is turned on” - John
Hagee
But
there can be no meaningful growth; no sustainable achievement can really be
attained, without God. Ronald
Reagan said, “Without God,
democracy cannot and will not long endure”. God is the Creator of the Universe and the One
with the development plan and the power for its implementation. In our
contribution to the building of our nations, we must rely on Him to guide and
strengthen us through to His designed destination. He will lead us through to
becoming responsible children, siblings, colleagues, and citizens.
“This world demands the
qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the
will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the
appetite for adventure over the love of ease” — Robert Kennedy
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