NOT CHRISTIAN ENOUGH

-

I consider myself a religious person, a Christian, I am an Adventist and was born in a family of Adventists. Over the years  i was just going to church because my dad said so, it was what was expected of me as an obedient child. When  I was able to make my own decisions, I still chose to be an Adventist and realized  I enjoy being an Adventist even though I don’t seem to fit the image of a true Adventist. By a true Adventist I mean a girl who wears her natural hair, wears long skirts and dresses, doesn’t apply any makeup, except on her wedding (because that’s what it appears to be acceptable), no jewelry, listens and reads Adventist materials.


Unfortunately, I find trousers comfortable, fallen in love with simple jewelry, apply makeup, wear my hair short except, I color it, I wear short skirts and dresses. You get the idea, so inside and outside church I get stares, people, fellow Adventists judging my looks, calling me names, I remember a friend of my brother’s called me Babylon to mean “of the world”. Just last Saturday, I went to church in my best clothes, as I entered the church gates, a couple of men who appeared to be church elders, looked at me and I thought to myself quite normal, people look at people until 20 minutes later when one of the men made a church announcement pleading with the church about how he has constantly talked about haircuts and girls coloring their hair. I didn’t get offended just surprised as usual that one of the places I was supposed to feel at home when there made me feel like an outsider, someone who doesn’t belong. In a world where people have to pretend, try so hard to fit in, religion should be that one place in the  world where everyone has to feel  at home, a be  part of something without sacrificing who they are. Above all, it should celebrate diversity.

Imagine if I wasn’t an Adventist, I was just someone who decided to explore other areas of worship, someone who has heard good things about the church and is interested in finding out more, would that someone reconsider visiting the church again after being made the announcement? Instead of welcoming, they chose to be unwelcoming, how is that any different from closing the door in front of someone who wishes to enter, seek refuge?

I have been in situations where fellow Adventists, don’t wish to associate with me, don’t talk to me no matter how hard I try to befriend them, and to them I am of the world.

Christians, strive to follow in Jesus Christ’s footstep while he was here, but some seem to be doing contrary to that, judge everyone who doesn’t conform to their religious cultural believes, shut down everyone who holds opposing  views, dresses or ,eats   different from them.

To be continued…….,.

 

 

 

 


Comments

  1. Tobi Kamanga20 July 2021 at 05:20

    As someone who hasn't been to church in a loooong time (I'll be clocking 10 years next month), this piece is quite interesting and relatable. The reasons why I took this long pause are many but one of them was the constant feeling of not belonging. Of people treating you as the other. As if you are not Christian enough because you don't meet their standards. Anyway, I can't wait for part 2.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WHY NOT COMMERCIALISE SISAL PRODUCTION IN MALAWI?

-
Did you know that around 1920s there was actually a sisal estate in the Lower Shire?  Ever since, there has not been any record on commercial sisal production anywhere else in the country. Sisal production is only reported at local farm level and it has continued to dwindle over the past centuries even at that level. Sisal is a fibre of Agave species; it is a widely cultivated and naturalised fibre in many countries like South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Madagascar, Venezuala and Brazil. Sisal yields a stiff fibre that is used in making products which are highly used around the globe. In the past, several species of Agave were used for fibre production, but presently it is a commercially grown species in different countries.Sisal is locally known as Khonje in many parts of the country. It is mostly used for ornamental practices especially in urban areas, it is also preferably used for fencing dimba gardens in the rural areas to keep away livestock from crops and on a small
Read more

MOM DIED.

-
Image
My father, who was a Head teacher at one of the rural secondary schools liked travelling long distances at night or very early in the morning to attend Teachers meetings in different education zones which were very far from where we lived. Those were some of the most dreadful moments of my life, when he travelled at night or very early in the morning. We all hated it, loathed every second of what we had to go through as we waited for him to get back home safely.   I and my siblings would crump up together on the sofa or on someone’s bed waiting for his knock the knock which would assure as of that he was alive and well.  No one said it out loud, but all knew what each of us was thinking at that particular moment, the silence among us was loud enough to be heard by our souls, the fear of losing the only parent we had. I lost my mother when I was young, 7/8 years old I don’t  really remember when, and it’s unfortunate that I  can’t  also tell if the reason is because I was  too young to
Read more

ARE WE REALLY HELPING OUR LOCAL FARMERS ?

-
Image
In Malawi agriculture is regarded as an integral part of the nation’s economic growth, almost every family in the country is involved in the agriculture sector whether as a farmer, a labourer, or a vendor and what have you. Fortunately the country is favoured with productive natural resources, including soil, water, and moderate climate conditions which all necessitate agriculture production, be it animal or crop husbandry. We say Malawi is an Agriculture country ,some jokingly say it’s like a very big farm because almost everywhere people are practicing agriculture urban settings are no exception. But how many are really prospering because of it? Only a few are considered big farmers, a few can only produce enough for their families but you look at these people, they have been farming all their lives! road side marketing of farm produce Our farmers are encouraged to work extra hard, which from my experience they do but where are the readily available markets where t
Read more