POSITION IS NOT PROPERTY
I had a good laugh the first time I heard this phrase.
It had been written behind a vehicle. Position is not property; what could it
really mean? But by and by, each day, this word keeps getting meaning. Whenever
I consider several issues affecting our society, I cannot help but side with
the originator of this phrase. Position is not property!
Let us take a critical look at our noble continent
Africa, and the world at large. We keep encountering all sorts of leadership,
better called, dictators, and each time, we cannot help but ask ourselves if it
is worth it at all. Why should people go through all kinds of abuse, attacks,
or oppressions, just to hold on to power? Is it really worth it? Is it in any
case by force, as most of us would bluntly put it? Is it by force? After all,
position is not property! For some people however, position is by all
standards, a property!
Position in this case represents a social status; a
leadership position. It can be a leadership position in politics, at work, in
church, in our local community, to mention but a few. Position is not property,
simply means that it is not permanent, however permanent it might seem. Death
in itself makes that impossible.
The problem is that in our world, whenever someone is
given a kind of leadership position, it becomes the beginning of several
unfortunate incidents for the very people who help secure that position. Power
is corruptive, and so is position. As soon as someone is given a leadership
position, it becomes an opportunity to trample on others. It becomes an
opportunity to bully, intimidate, harass, abuse, punish, imprison, torture, and
mostly, cause fear and panic. Yes, people thrive on fear, and that is their
weapon. They use our vulnerability and defenselessness to their advantage.
In our various workplaces, such is our stories. We constantly
encounter such people in the form of our immediate bosses, and even colleagues.
Most people have several gruesome stories of abuse to be shared. The problem is
that fear prevents us from coming out; prisoners of the fear of the
consequences.
In our various homes, such are our stories; stories of
abuse, stories of husbands and wives who seem to be in control and hence,
turned tyrants overnight. Our relatives are at our mercy, and so are our house
helps.
Our churches are also not ruled out. These days, the
most unfortunate and sometimes humiliating stories are being heard from our
spiritual centers.
How long can a person remain in charge? Situations
change each day! Position is not property! It can never be permanent!
Methuselah of the Holy book is an attestation. Although the oldest that lived,
he still died! Like the Philosopher, it is all vanity! What I cannot understand
is the fact that most people are forgetful of the fact that several others have
come and gone, who have enjoyed that very position. Where are they now? Do we
even stop to ask ourselves these questions at times?
Leadership is a huge responsibility! It is a position
of service, and not an opportunity to put others to servitude. The greatest
should always be the least.
This message goes to our leadership, whichever form it
would take. This country needs able-bodied men and women who are willing to
sacrifice much more than is being done if indeed, we want to progress as a
people. The caliber of leadership we keep encountering raises huge questions.
As soon as an ordinary person is given a leadership
position, this person changes into extraordinary. The same person who barely an
hour ago was friendly, suddenly starts walking with the nose pointed in the
air, all arms stretch out sideways, as they walk. People virtually have to run
after them, just to get a chance to talk to them. To make a mere appointment
takes heaven for the fortunate ones; for others, impossible!
Each day, I keep asking myself one question. What
would God do? What do we expect of God, if ordinary human beings are asking for
so much? If it takes several weeks of appointments, through several channels,
just to meet with one person; how many years then, must it take for us to speak
to God? We keep idolizing people each day. The same goes for our so-called
celebrities!
Let us remember, that just as quickly as we arrived,
we would equally depart! Position is not property! I therefore side with one
great man for his greatest remark; No condition is permanent! Yes, today, the
spotlight is on you. Just as you had the opportunity today, it would definitely
be some other persons turn tomorrow. Position is not property. We leave
everything behind in death; not even the flesh, do we take along.
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