Imela

Photo credit: www.heart2soul.com

Kenya has seen a number of high profile visitors this year. From Barrack Obama to Pope Francis, Don Moen and only recently, we were privileged to be the hosts of the WTO ministerial conference. In addition to that stellar list, was Nathan Bassey, who many know for the hit song ‘Imela’, a song of thanksgiving. In light of those happenings and as the year draws to a close, many will be saying imela for one reason or another.

First and foremost for life. Some have not been so fortunate to see the end of the year due to ill-fated accidents on the road, terror attacks, illness, but we are still alive so we are thankful. The gift of life, of seeing yet another day is something that we can never take for granted. The thanksgiving for life is mutual for a lot of us, but for others, thanks goes beyond just life but for something more specific.

It may have been imela for a change in status, years of studying bore fruition in the form of a bachelor's degree, a masters or even a PHD. Some said thanks for being admitted to the bar after slogging away at the Kenya School of Law. For some, months of frequent applications through Brighter Monday  and other online platforms resulted in an imela for getting a job. Some said imela for the promotion at work due to their diligence. For others it was that long awaited  walk down the aisle after years of  'pressure' while some went one step further to witness a family of two become three or four.

For some it may have been God’s providence  and have said imela for the new car and good bye to that slab of wood that was an improvised matatu seat. Others are thankful for the new home. While for some it was a smaller item like a laptop, new phone or other material gains.

For some it may have been personal gains that saw them get out of the comfort zones and step into the realm of the unknown with all its possibilities. Thus, Imela was said for taking up a challenge like  moving out, sky-diving, hiking or travelling the world. Others finally took up a leadership position or initiated an activity they had been meaning to do for some time. The result being nomination for an award, receipt of an award. For some it led to a place in that prestigious top 40 under 40 or some other form of recognition.

While for others it was Imela for his healing touch that brought healing for the body from a long illness or for a broken limb. For others it was the healing from the loss of a loved one or the healing from a broken heart after a relationship that ended acrimoniously.

Conversely, and surprisingly, we can also look back at the year and thank God for the bad moments as well. Imela for the interview gone wrong which led you to up your game and in doing so eliminate the likelihood of being flat-footed in your next interview. Imela for the superficial relationships that  made us appreciate the real friendships we already have and work hard at developing better friendships. Imela for the car accident that  served as a wake up call to number your days carefully and reprioritize things in life.

A heart of gratitude for whichever circumstance dispels any disgruntlement.  It leaves little room for discontentment which is the biggest thief of happiness.  It makes us more aware and appreciative of what God has done in our lives. Beyond any doubt, Christmas will be a time when gratitude gushes  out  of our hearts and lips naturally. It’s that time of the year, when saying Imela will be all too common place.

Amidst all the festivity of December. Amidst all the trips up-country or to the coast, the goats and chickens slaughtered, the exchange of gifts and cards, there is one Imela that surpasses all.

It is imela to Jesus. Imela to the God who loved the world so much that sending an angel or a prophet wasn’t sufficient to express that love, he came himself to tell us of his love. It is at Christmas when we realize that, there was a moment when heaven was bereft of God the son, because God the son had become human, a crying little baby that deserved a throne but left his heavenly throne to settle for a manger on earth instead.

 Not only did he tell us but really show it, he was so intent on seeking our good and redeeming us that the sacrifice of his own life was the cost he was willing to pay for us. The baby Jesus was and still is the gift of all gifts, bringing hope to a world that had been mired in despair. Bringing joy to the world as we often sing and as the angels sang, peace. A peace that we experience year after year during the Christmas season as a host of worries and concerns are put aside and laid to rest.

It is a peace that comes from the belief and conviction that the baby Jesus would grow up to eventually die on the cross to give us a free pass to heaven and to God. A peace that comes from knowing that my human efforts or acts of righteousness would never be enough to bridge the gap between me and God, and so he , through the cross became that bridge, the way to heaven and to God . By his mercy and grace, I am  free to enter his kingdom unburdened by my wrongdoings because of the cross which made me perfect before God.

Although he bore a price tag that no human however rich could pay, He wasn’t the gift expensively wrapped. He was just swaddled in clothes, in a manger, and a gift accessible to anybody who just confessed and believed that he is saviour of the world. Imela Jesus for the gift that is you and may we celebrate you during Christmas. 

Merry Christmas all.

Photo Credit : allan.tk