We started our journey to the Murtala Mohammed airport, Lagos. I noticed that the bus was moving slowly. I wondered why. Was the bus having problems or was the driver waiting for another vehicle or did he want to prevent his bus from being hit? I kept on wondering while we were still in Victoria Island. But when we mounted the Third Mainland Bridge and we were still at the same speed, I became very concerned. The road was free - there was no traffic jam. I looked back; the luggage bus was behind us. We were not waiting for anyone. Bikes and taxis were now overtaking us. At this point, I could not keep my concerns to myself.
“Driver, why are you driving so slowly? Do you know we have a plane to catch today?”
“Aunty Rita, I cannot drive more than 60km/hr. Is it not one oyibo man that came and said we should not drive more than 70km/hr? If I drive more than 60, I don’t know when it will enter 70 and I will be sacked as soon as I enter 70. Please allow me to drive at 60…”
While the other passengers complained about the speed and why the company had changed the speed limit, I had to keep quiet. I slowly nodded with understanding as I flashed back a few weeks.
They were not there when our bus fell into a gutter because of speed. They were not there when the bus almost crushed another vehicle because of the rough driving. No, they were not there when we remained stranded for hours in the traffic while the patrol van tried to pull us out. The expatriates just arriving Nigeria were so scared because of the exposure. I am sure they felt they could become victims of all they had heard in the news about Niger Delta.
Most times when laws are given, it is for our own good. We should not focus of the consequences of disobeying but rather understand the benefits of obeying.
I am sure this incident was in response to my inner questions such as “Why are there so many ‘Thou shalt nots’?” “Why love your enemy and forgive someone who hurt you terribly?” “Why will some things be so pleasurable yet feel or be so wrong?” Eavesdropping on the law makers in my organization, I have realized that some of the laws they made were because people lost their lives or property in some preventable incidences. Sometimes, there has been bloodshed before the laws were made. Suddenly, I had a glimpse of what God plans for us.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, plans to give you the future you hope for [1].
That is why He gave us His guiding principles contained in His word. And He instructs us thus, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” [2].
I love the prosper and succeed part but had questioned why there is a meditate and obey part. But as I continue this journey, I have to stop questioning and obey. I pray for the day I will utter “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart" [3].
Have you ever wondered why there are do’s and don’ts? Why the ten commandments? Have you ever been concerned about laws? What thoughts have you come up with? For me, I am not asking again, not after realizing that “He did not put His laws to harm me or to deny me pleasure, but to protect me and give me peace”.
And I thank God for His Grace that remains with us even while we fall into temptation. However as we acknowledge that we have His grace, may we not take it for granted.
Have a blessed and fruitful week ahead.
Bible References
[1] Jeremiah 29:11 (Mixture of AMP and MSG versions)
[2] Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
[3] Psalms 40:8 (NLT)
