Trying is the season, insecurity has come to town
Accompanied by violence and mischief. On arrival,
They held a closed door conference. Deadly decisions
Reached, they conspired to change, charge the weather
So nothing is same again. Crime landed to their applause
Despite the cries of the innocent, launching out from
Every corner, with a target to take all captive. They sent
Out fear, to prepare the ground with bloody shows.
Witnesses ran, each to his tent, hugging intimidation.
Cities are pouring out, like water, one after another.
Singles and families, hurriedly checking out, lugging
Doubts, unwilling to wait out their fears. In droves
They go, courting peace, seeking safety but please tell,
Is there a zone immune from disaster? A fitting hiding
That can shield all from ruthlessness and lawlessness
Or are we jumping frying pans to end up in fire?
What exactly are we running from? Where is escape,
The ultimate escape? And where on earth is safety?

We live in very trying times. Cries can be heard from all the corners of the earth; cries of the innocent and the guilty, wailings of the rich and the poor, lamentations of the good and the bad, groaning of the old and young – none is spared. Enemies of peace and posterity have been set loose and they are going to and fro, hacking and maiming, cutting short the lives of men. This article was first developed 7 years ago and while updating it, I realized that it is the same story since then – nothing has changed.

I’m not painting fresh pictures of calamities, emerging suddenly, pouncing on us from out of space. The real enemy has been the same down through the years although its face has been shrouded by incurable diseases, ethnic crises, religious uprising, mental disorders, racism, among others. When you take off all those covers, what stares back at you is lack of regard for human rights and values which has persisted through centuries. It is the same key that propelled slavery, dehumanization in the name of persecution of Christians by Rome, apartheid, among others.

That is why one group feels superior to others, and rather than allow healthy competition, rises to annihilate the others; disgruntled partners set their guns against spouses, family members, and innocent children; youths stroll into public places and gun down whoever crosses their path. We may feel justifiably handicapped at handling some incurable diseases. How about situations that are manmade? People have been maimed and slayed in streets, at schools, at work, in the supposed safety of homes, on religious grounds, the count is endless.

All over the United States, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, just name it. The story is the same except for specificity of situations and environments. Bottom line remains, violence is a daring enemy whose heartless face appears clearer in the light of human and technological advancements. That does not necessarily imply that evil has grown fouler now than then. Events make it seem like evil is waxing worse, but in reality it is the same ugliness, viewed from dynamic perspectives of ever changing times. The difference between then and now is that it no longer hides its mischief behind policies and reasons. Presently, evil brazenly attacks and flaunts its loots.

How long are we going to hide and watch precious lives wasted? How much longer are we going to wonder and wander like sheep without a shepherd? Whatever label it is given, terrorism, civil unrest, war, famine, disaster, diseases, etc., unrecoverable lives are slipping away per second. Fear encourages people to hide or relocate but security has been kidnapped, safety is at large and many are chasing illusion? What then do you want us to do, someone may be asking.

Truth is, you cannot afford to continue as usual. Those that live anyhow also die anyhow. You can’t just pack up and move because your neighbors are moving. And you shouldn’t sit still just because others are. We have followed for long enough and borne bitter consequences of not understanding why we were found where we shouldn’t have been. We have been running away for long enough, been silent for long enough, feared enough, suffered enough, and lost enough. Now, enough has become enough! It is now time to beat slumber and take your rightful place. Pick up your mantle, dust it, wear it, go out and stand upon your watch, and see what He will say to you, that you may receive appropriate directions, answers, and solutions for yourself and your family, for your generation.

Evil is no respecter of persons. No one is spared by hiding. The evil one hides from often doesn’t walk away and leave you alone. It hunts until it locates and embarrasses its target. That therefore is a call to do something. In the time of Nehemiah, the people built with one hand while the other hand bore their readiness to confront the enemy. That is what this time demands: dedication to our everyday commitments as well as preparedness to stand and fight when occasion commands. To pray as if all depends on our prayer and when it is time to work, to give all we have and hold nothing back. To wear sensitivity irrespective of what we do, working or warring, so that when the alert for change is discharged, you will not be found wanting.

God is waiting, this generation is waiting, our families are waiting, and our destiny is waiting. All of creation including rampaging wickedness is waiting, for those that know their God to be strong, to arise, take their place and bring change to bear. Evil is daring but this is the hour for the manifestation of the sons of God. Now is the appointed time to distinguish Zion with favor. God is on the move, are you going to move along or will you keep hiding from trouble?

Glory!