Look Down on Nobody

Friends, greetings in Jesus Name! Today I will be sharing with you on what I title, “Look Down on Nobody.” In life you never know where help could come from. For instance, those gatemen, drivers, gardeners, cooks, and messengers that you pass-by daily without even paying attention to, are very important. Really, it’s very easy, even as a Christian, to look down on others, probably because you have acquired some level of wealth, more educated, highly spiritual, and so on. But the Bible declares in 1 Peter 5:5 that, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Personally, I have learnt an important lesson in this area. Many years ago, after my wedding, my wife and I decided to spend our honeymoon in Ghana. We lodged in a beautiful hotel not far from Kotoka International Airport in Accra. The hotel has a swimming pool. I told my wife…aah…this is a great opportunity for us to swim. Unfortunately, I am not a good swimmer. When we got to the swimming pool, we were alone, and my wife had some reservations. So, she said we should not swim beyond the shallow level of the pool. You know, being a macho, I was trying to impress her, not knowing that I was only exhibiting my ignorance and foolishness. While we were about jumping into the pool, we observed some young boys and girls – coming down from a taxi outside the gate – and they were heading towards the pool. I was particularly not comfortable because: (1) they were outsiders not lodged in the hotel; (2) they will invade our privacy. Then I thought of informing the hotel management about them. But my wife said, leave them alone, they also came to enjoy themselves like us. I said no, can’t you see they are smoking and making so much noise. But my wife prevailed, and calmed me down to let go. Afterwards, we headed into the water, and was playing by the rules set by us. Later, I felt why should a “big boy” like me be swimming around shallow water, especially when the young people that came were swimming across the pool like Michael Phelps. So, I decided to break the rule by going further into the water. Initially I didn’t feel anything, but when I stepped further, I realized I was already down the slope, and I started struggling to return to the shallow end. The more I struggled the more I got deeper inside the pool. Immediately, my wife raised an alarm. By this time, I was already drowning. Then the young boys I despised, quickly rushed in and pulled me out. When I came out, I was breathing like a “Christmas Chicken” that narrowly escaped death. Then the Lord said to me, “Son, Look Down on Nobody. I directed these young people to come here for your sake.” Hebrews 13:12 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Just imagine the news headline in Nigeria if those young people were not there. Indeed, they were my guardian angels sent by God at that moment. In 1 Samuel 30, we saw how the Amalekites invaded Ziklag, took their women and children captives, including David’s wives. David wept and encouraged himself in the Lord. Then he enquired of the Lord to know if he should pursue the troop, and the Lord told him to go after them, and without fail recover all. While pursuing the Amalekites, they met an Egyptian on the way, who was abandoned by his master, an Amalekite, because he was sick. David took care of him by giving him bread, water, and a piece of cake to eat. When the man was revived, he gave David the clue that helped him track down the Amalekites. And David recovered all that were stolen from him. The moral of this story is that, David and his men could have look down on the Egyptian man on the way, and keep searching for the Amalekites to no avail. Many times, we chase away our destiny helpers whom the Lord has positioned to help us. I pray that will not be your portion in Jesus Mighty Name. Never forget, “God is mighty, and does not despise anyone” (Job 36:5). Therefore, Love others as much as you love yourself (Matt. 22:39). You’re Blessed. Have a fantastic week. With love, Elvis!