As the year 2022 and all its stories are wrapped up for the historical records, there are lots of things we can and should be thankful to God for. Lamentations 3 verses 22 to 24 reminds us that ‘because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning, great is His faithfulness’. I will say to myself, the Lord is my portion…’ We thank God for his continued goodness to us all and thus join with the Psalmist in Psalm 3 verse 5 to say ‘I lie down and sleep, I wake up again because the Lord sustains me’.
Within the context of celebrating the end of this year and looking forward to the prospects that the New Year 2023 could represent, I join you all in counting my blessings and in seeking to name them one by one, I realize how numerous they are. I am sure we would appreciate that God has truly been good to us as a people and as a nation.
In my much younger years I used to look forward to some occasions where some songs were sang to epitomize what we anticipate for the future. One of such songs is ‘legay Jonaa, Gambia amna bobpam’. We used to sing this song with such enthusiasm and energy though we could argue without a proper reflections. In my current contextual reality, I am suggesting that the words of this song need to be revisited both on the personal and national levels as we face the possibilities and maybe challenges that the year 2023 might bring before us.
Isaiah 32 verse 6 to 8 speaks aptly to this context. It reads ‘For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil’: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water. Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.
It is a statement of fact that there are lots of hardworking peoples within our jurisdiction. It’s is equally true to suggest that there are some of us who feel entitled to privileges we haven’t worked for nor deserve. Granted the two positions it must be established that God created each and every one of us with talents, gifts and graces so that we can be good stewards of creation. We are blessed with whatever talent and graces we possesses so that together with the rest of Creation, we can make this world a better place for all and the future.
Thus pivoted and within the context of Isaiah chapter 32, I declare to us that the year 2023 should be a year of responsibility. We cannot continue to take for granted the many graces and goodness of God and his creation to us. We need to be more circumspect in our management and use of what has been entrusted to us as a person, people and nation. Luke chapter 12 verse 48 tells us thus ‘…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.’
We cannot continue to look at poverty, greed, wickedness, selfishness and sufferings in their various shades continue to flourish within our national walls. It is unacceptable that our beloved nation and its people continue to struggle in our developmental quest but we see selected individuals thriving and flourishing in wealth and prosperity. This cannot be the plan of God that only a select few should prosper and the rest of us seem to suffer. We must seek to participate with God in redefining the status quo for all our peoples in our beloved land of The Gambia.
The prophet Isaiah encourages us to have noble plans. We must seek to reason together for the realizations of the words of our coat of arms – Peace, Progress and Prosperity for all within our jurisdiction called the Republic of The Gambia.
We are described as a nation whose people are very religious. The book of Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6 reflects thus ‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him’. This position suggests that our relationship with God must not only be a rhetorical position but must be demonstrated in what and how we relate to ourselves, to work, to community and nation. James chapter 4 verse 3 sums it well for us in these words ‘When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures’.
Within the understandings of the above, may I suggest that the year 2023 could be anchored differently. It could be, under God, our year to decide to be responsible. We would take responsibility of our destiny into our hands and work to make ourselves better. We will decide to be honest, ethical, faithful and resolute to be the best we can be. We would say to ourselves that ‘I choose to do the right thing always’.
Furthermore, we choose to make the year 2023 a year when our belief and walk with God will not be ceremonial but one in which we love God and neighbour. Matthew 22 verse 37 to 38 is apt to be anchored here. It reads Jesus said ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
As the year 2023 enfolds before us daily, I assure you of our continued prayers and love. On behalf of the Methodist family here in The Gambia, I pray for a blessed and fruitful year in Jesus name. Amen
Most Revd Bannie E F Manga
Presiding Bishop
Methodist Church The Gambia
January 2023.
