I have often wept for our nation Nigeria - tears born of future reflection amid our present condition. Greatness lies within our borders, yet failure grips without. Why? Bequeathed with abundance in natural resources, creative and intelligent indigenes, a zealous and hard working attitude – why is it that the beauty within is so stained and stifled by the pains and pangs of poverty? Is it a divine wake-up call to repentance and recognition of our Creator? Yet our nation is said to be the most religious in the world. Or is it a vast and monumental case of mismanagement that is grossly projected for the whole world to examine and make mockery of? Sadly, such appears to be the case. Study the foreign media’s relation to Nigeria – and all the reports tell stories of death, decay and decadence, of corruption, crime and curses. I can understand why many writers painfully pen the woes of our failed state.

But mere words won’t alter the reality. Tears won’t solve this issue. Crying cannot change corruption unless those tears animate action and embolden vision. We have long debated and discussed about our problems, drawing various conclusions with a vague semblance. The truth now – what are you and I prepared to do about it? Tears of fears won’t change anything; cheap talk and blind criticism won’t change anything; verbal abuse and malicious prejudices won’t change anything. In fact, they will merely worsen the situation. What is required now is practicality – not just to discuss the next step, but to do what is good to change the bad we see. Driving through Lagos last week, I saw a missionary vehicle from The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, which read, ‘Spend less on yourself, and more on others’. I was moved. This is a poignant message much needed in our nation today. We recognise the need for change, but are we prepared to take the steps and make the sacrifices that change demands of us? We recognise the problems surrounding us, but are we ready to walk whole-heartedly on the path of solution, laying aside our personal pride and ambitions?

The driving force of our lives today seems to be the pursuit of personal happiness, with little or no thought for the people around us. But the greatness of a nation lies not in individual stories, but collective development. Greatness will come when we allow love back into our intentions, and mercy back into our judgement; when the pains of the voiceless fill the petitions of the vocal; when our passion for each others welfare will mirror the passion of the next Champions League match! It’s so easy to ruminate on the impending and compounding doom around, but these ramifications must ignite reaction beyond mere reasoning.

Both tears and fears are justifiable, but tears without truth and fears without focus are plain tools of idleness and emptiness. Deliberation without determination amounts to disillusion. Reflection and passion must walk this road together. Unction and action must meet headlong. Motivation must engage maturity. I still believe a beautiful future lies ahead – but it starts with the daily decisions of the ordinary folks – decisions to stand against injustice and stand up for your brother, to stand against corruption and stand up for compassion, to stand against hatred and stand up for hope.

The peace of our country lies in the peace of our conscience. Let’s pursue the materials that make up the fabric of progress and unity – the garments of genuineness and generosity, the clothes of kindness and care, the apparel of patience and prudence. In closing, I will take you back to those words I saw on TB Joshua’s Missionary Car, a man who I know practices what he preaches, whose lips and life are really in alignment, who leads by example – ‘Spend more on others and less on yourself.’ Such is the charge, such is the challenge, such will amount to the change - a change not just of the substance, but of the soul.