Camouflage

It's an art and if we are honest, many of us are guilty of it - Hiding in plain sight.

I got a text from my mother about two days ago telling me that my dad had been arrested. Most of you probably heard about it as it caused a bit of a stir in Kampala. He was arrested with a couple of other anti-corruption activists and detained at the police station for a couple of hours. I must confess that I had mixed feelings when I read the text as I was concerned for him but I wasn't surprised- we had been expecting something like this or worse for sometime now.

One of the main reasons why I was concerned about my dad's arrest is because I realised that it would bring to the foreground the different conflicting views abut him and the stand he was making. I hate to admit but it saddens me that he isn't as liked as he was ten years ago. People have different opinions: some think he has lost his mind, others support him, while still others mock him saying he is a priest and should stick to church business. Listening to my thoughts, I realised how concerned I am of the opinions of others not just about my father but worse still of myself and I shuddered!

I like to please people. Some would argue that it is just a character flaw being a sanguine but sometimes putting things in boxes can keep us from addressing serious issues. Why do I care so much if people think I am fat? If they think I am clever or not? Why am I 'walking on my tip-toes' in conversations, careful no to offend? Laughing even in the midst of coarse humour that is offending me just not to offend my company? Why am I willing to shelve my opinions just so people can accept me or I can fit in without looking soooo different from everyone else?

I have to grow up! Realise that not all my friends believe in my Lord- some seriously scorn Him. Not everyone will understand or agree with my life choices or political choices. I can not be neutral or sit on the fence because I am afraid of standing out. I have to accept that we are not the same any more in more ways than one and now, especially now, I must, and I need to embrace that I am different. I should not be afraid of going against the tide - if no one had, slave trade would still be legal!

To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17“‘We played the flute for you,

and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge

and you did not mourn.’

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”(Mtt 11: 15-19)

Jesus was basically saying: Regardless of what you do, you will upset some people. Bottom line is,'they' should not be the reason you do or don't do things. You should be wiser than that. And the truth is, we shall have to give an account to God. I pray that God will give us the courage we need to be different when we should. To stand up and be counted without worrying about what other people think. That also means that we need to figure out what we really think about issues, life etc... what are our own convictions and perceptions.

"No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.(Lk8:16)