On January 14, 2024, at the Riverside Church in New York, I was blessed to listen to an amazing preacher, Rev. Karlos Nichols (Dreams and Nightmares). During his deliberation, he talked about the lame man in Mark 2, whose friends took him through the roof to get to Jesus.
The determination of these friends of this lame man, according to him was admirable and noteworthy. The crowd according to him could not stop them because they had a PURPOSE (healing for the lame friend) and they also did not try to go through the crowd for PUBLICITY. He then asked the question, “What is the inspiration for our actions is it PURPOSE DRIVEN or for PUBLICITY?”
On the 16th of January I woke up at 5 am New York time to watch the elections for Speakership of the 55th Legislature in Liberia. I watched with mixed emotions, and I asked a question similar to Rev. Nichols as I observed the back-and-forth bickering of officials. I wondered what was driving the actions on display? Was it to concern for alleviating the suffering in the lives of ordinary Liberians? Was it to ensure that finally, children from underserved communities could enjoy conducive learning environments? Was it to ensure laws that will provide adequate health care and an enabling economic environment?
My mind has kept reeling on the question of PURPOSE or PUBLICITY.
Not just for the lawmakers who decide the fate of millions of Liberians, but also for me, you, and anyone who dares to step into the spaces of influence and affluence. We must constantly evaluate our PURPOSE regularly. Sometimes the PUBLICITY overtakes our PURPOSE and kills our PASSION.
May our PURPOSE always be to ensure someone experiences DIGNITY in their
lifetime.
HAPPY MONDAY FAMILY!!!!
- Mrs. Leymah Gbowee is a Nobel Peace Prize Winner and writes from Liberia