Temple of Self

If there's a hill I'm ready to stand firm on, it's my belief in the divine intervention that comes to our aid. I've seen firsthand the role of divinity in our lives, especially during moments when we find ourselves desperately in need of external help.

In my own journey, I've faced moments of despair, feeling forgotten and deeply troubled. There were times when I questioned if I had wronged someone or if I was paying for past sins, like the loss of my loved ones—my parents, my younger brother, and my cousin, Chukwudi, whose life was tragically cut short.

I've endured various forms of abuse while living with relatives, survived a life-threatening accident crossing the expressway, and encountered disappointments, like being unable to study for my desired degree despite excelling academically due to curriculum issues in the university.

Leaving behind a company I had painstakingly built from scratch, sacrificing my health and time, was another defining moment.

Each of these experiences bears profound significance in my life. During each of these trying seasons, I found myself in dire need of divine intervention—the kind that only God could provide. I felt lost at every turn, yet somehow, in those moments of despair, He unfailingly found me- restoring what seemed beyond repair in a way that only He can.

But beyond these experiences, this entry is about acknowledging our humanity and my personal responsibility in steering my life's direction. It's about the space where I must rise, exercising self-control, discipline, and adhering to sound principles.

I grapple with habits and addictions—areas where I've allowed weakness or succumbed to softness. It's time to wake up and firmly say "NO." Some of the areas we all need to say no today as young people, as God's people:

• No to addictive behaviors like gambling.

• No to fear.

• No to lust.

• No to toxic relationships.

• No to substance abuse.

• No to sexual immorality.

• No to pornography.

• No to greed.

• No to laziness.

• No to prayerlessness.

• No to lack of discipline.

Remember the saying, "Buying and selling was ongoing, yet the temple remained sacred." I liken it to recognizing the purpose of the "Temple of God" and taking a stand against activities that don't belong. Jesus flogged the buyers and sellers out of the Temple because he clearly understood what it was meant for. My body, my life, is that temple; what am I permitting within its sacred confines? If we are not doing the flogging, then maybe we lack an understanding of purpose.

To clarify, 'buying and selling' symbolizes misplaced activities. They're acceptable in the marketplace but entirely out of place in the temple. Today, what represents 'buying and selling' in my life? And more importantly, what proactive steps am I taking to rectify them?

I'm not writing this with the immediate intention of sharing. However, should I choose to do so in the future, I hope it catalyzes someone's profound personal growth, enabling them to evolve into a significantly better version of themselves.