Rev Fr Gideon Zacharia Kanwai: Your Unique Journey to Priesthood. A Personal Reflection. By Chibu Ndubuisi. 27/08/2021

 

Rev Fr Gideon Zacharia Kanwai: Your Unique Journey to Priesthood. A Personal Reflection.     

By Chibu Ndubuisi. 27/08/2021

               I read in the bible about Gideon the mighty warrior. The Gideon I am reflecting about today is someone I met at St Joseph's Minor Seminary(SJS), Zaria, Kaduna State (1994-2000). A class mate full of life. As we advanced in studies, you were made the school's kitchen prefect while I was the refectory prefect. While others ate the general meal, we were served the special meal. On this occasion of your thanksgiving mass at your country home, I will be using this opportunity to serve you this special meal of a personal intellectual contribution on the journey ahead.

There are four facts I have come to understand about answering THE CALL:

√ It is unique to you

√ You have the talent for it

√ You have a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment at what you are doing and

√ You might wander a while but will still come back to face your calling.

These four points above, aptly capture your trajectory.

Your name is Zacharia, Zacharia 4:6 notes that  “not by might nor by power but by my spirit". The journey ahead does not require the strength you used in carrying bags of beans and maize then at SJS.

You might have understood  deeply from your  personal journey to Priesthood. “that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong••••time and chance happens to them all” (Eccl. 9:11.).

The race of life is not a sprint, it is not the 100-meter dash, nor is it really a middle-distance run. It’s a marathon. It’s a long-distance run. In this test of life, none of us was promised an easy race. Since God almighty has shown you mercy, don't lose frequency from HIS megahertz.

Back at SJS, we sang hymns literally without knowing their spiritual imports. Having advanced in age, space and exposure, I have come to flesh up those hymns with deep life experiences and manifestations.

1. We sang then at SJS "it's not an easy road when traveling to heaven for so many are the thorns on the way". Why will a road leading to heaven be filled with thorns on the way? The answer is clearly demonstrated in the persecution and ethnic cleansing our people of southern Kaduna and many Christian communities are facing in the hands of Mujahideen and jihadist enabled government in Northern Nigeria particularly. In my diary, I have a picture of seminarian Michael Nnadi of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto who was abducted and murdered by these beastly elements. You have the details better than I do about these religious persecutions. This is the reality of the calling.

2. Yes, the cross is still that "old rugged cross", not a sleeky one and no nano technology can make it smaller or smother. In the cross of the faith you have chosen to carry, you will face despair and depression.

When you read numbers 11:11-15, Moses cried out to God to take his life. Elijah in 1 Kings19:3-4 asked God to take his life. Jonah in Jonah 4:1-3 asked God to take his life. Jeremiah cursed the day he was born and asked why he came out of the womb to see toil and sorrow.

The examples above notwithstanding,  you must take consolation in the hymn

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul."

3. Bob Dylan in his song asked a question "How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man? Yes the road of priesthood you have chosen to walk down is not for boys. The road is not a linear path. O. G.  Mandino is his book "The Greatest Salesman in the World"  advises that “you must take one step at a time because one step at a time is not too difficult"

4. We sang ". Oh, I often sit and ponder,

When the sun is sinking low,
Where shall yonder future find me:
Does but God in Heaven know?
Shall I be among the living?
Shall I mingle with the free?
Wheresoe’er my path be leading,
Savior, keep my heart with Thee.

Refrain
Oh, the future lies before me,
And I know not where I’ll be;
But where’er my path be leading,
Savior, keep my heart with Thee.

Yes, Fr Gideon the saviour has kept HIS heart with you. The songs are endless with deep impressions and lessons embedded in them.

When you were born, some people prayed and blessed you saying "that this child will be a blessing to his parents, community and nation.  The occasion of this thanksgiving mass, is the Manifestations of prayers answered.

A well known story is told about three workers who were employed in a quarry, when asked what they were doing:

The first says••••••cutting stones.

The second says•••••••Earning a living.

The third says•••••••••••Building a palace. 

Ask yourself deeply what this journey portends for you. The homily by the Bishop on your ordination was clear" Don't be among the class of priest instigating mobs or a priest that bishops are afraid to transfer as your job demands. Ephesians 6:12 guides that "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places".

I recently clocked ten years as a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel. I wrote down ten reasons why I am thankful to God almighty for making a way for me, I will be sharing them  here because the testimonies equally resonates with your experience.

As you prepare for your thanksgiving mass,

√ Thank God for the miracle of being productive.

√ Thank God for the miracle of being counted among the blessed.

√Thank God for the miracle of coming of age as a man.

√ Thank God for the miracle of fulfilled dreams.

√ Thank God for the miracle of supernatural Imposition and manifestations.

√  Thank God for the miracle of higher ground standing by preparing a banquet for you in the presence of your enemies.

√ Thank God for the miracle of making you lie down in green pastures and making your cup to overflow with success and good health.

√ Thank God for making you a blessing to others and leading you besides still waters to hear his voice.

√ Thank God for guidance in the right direction.

√ Thank God for the miracle of answered prayers.

Finally, remember that God was patient and gracious with you, God moulded you at your own pace.  The message of the angel to Gideon in Judges 6:12 is "the lord is with you o mighty warrior".

My reflection in this essay is not different from the message of the angel. God will be with you and other anointed men of God in our midst.

From your man "Oribobo" as you call me. 

                            

Peace be with you..

 

Chibu NDUBUISI is a Peace Building Agent, Author and currently the Head of Drivers Licence Centre, Federal Road Safety Corps, Okigwe Imo state.

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