Cowed by Fear

All of us know fear and there is a lot of it out there in the world today. Actually, it has always been there. It is a part of an ever-present battle between love and fear. Which will win? Which will determine the course of human events?

Will we react to those that use terror in one way or another to manipulate us to do or believe what they want? Will we live in a state of servitude to those fears, doing whatever we think we must to avoid the inevitable doom?  Worse still, will some of us be the ones who either wittingly or unwittingly uses such intimidation and power to get others to do what we want them to.

I was reminded of that recently when I read about a Mexican immigration activist in the United States, Elias Bermudez. Recently, he and a few other supporters and friends publicly fasted to inspire a solution to illegal Mexican immigration in America.

Elias, however, initially intended to protest in a very different way. Originally he intended to wage a full fledged hunger strike with an army of supporters starving themselves until all Mexicans stopped working in Arizona - one of the front line battle states in the immigration conflict facing the United States. As millions of Mexicans flood across the southern border of USA in search of economic relief from dire poverty, those fearing the loss of the American’s national identity, their way of life and terrorism are up in arms. And some are ready to do just about anything to keep them out, regardless of how draconian or inhumane.

Elias figured he could fight fire with fire, figuring Americans would then see how important Mexicans were to the US economy if they all stopped working. But a local catholic priest convinced Elias otherwise.

“I decided to stop trying to use my power, but instead asking God for His wisdom for a solution,” said Elias. “”The priest told me. “You are going to make people a lot angrier, and a lot of people are going to get hurt. Why don’t you do a spiritual fast instead? So now I am searching for God’s answer instead of mine.”

Instead of throngs of angry protesters, crosses lined the compound where he staged his peaceful prayerfully protest. He sat contemplatively talking and discussing with reporters and followers his ideas. And many came not to sensationalize him, but to listen and to share ideas about how to resolve a human issue.

In Nigeria, the same is true with the #BBOG (Bring Back Our Girls) movement whose activists are seeking and calling for the safe return of the 219 Chibok girls captured from their hostels by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents in April 14^th last year. One of the lead convener of this movement and a former minister of education Obiageli Ezekwesili have repeatedly called on its supporters to eschew violent protestation or conduct, but should peacefully and continuously call for the girl’s safe return, even though they (the #BBOG activists) have been harassed and ridiculed by “government paid anti-activists,” the police and the government itself. In her numerous conversations with her twitter followers Ezekwesili admonished people to continue praying for the wisdom to be bestowed upon the security agents, so that the girls can return safely, instead of disparaging their efforts. Her stand and wisdom in stringing the movement’s objective under God’s direction, even though opposition parties had wanted to hijack the movement, has earned her the admiration of many and attracted a host of others towards the movement’s goal.

The two scenarios clearly paint a recurring phenomenon, but what of all the other human issues, however? Will we be afraid to talk to our neighbours or those on the street because when we turn on the news we hear stories of murder and mayhem? Or will we be comforted and inspired by the realization that we are the ones that determine how much mayhem or mercy fills the world and stand up for the latter?

Will we sit quietly by our jobs while injustice or incompetence hurts others? Or will we work and shine with faith, fortitude and ideas that God has inspired within us to be a lightning rod for positive change and growth?

Will we resort to fear and antagonism to enlist the support of others for our own motives? Or will we open our hearts to understanding and communicate with others in mutually beneficial ways that will allow us to convince and enlist the support and camaraderie of others to do God’s work?

Fear, or love? You decide. The latter has a great deal more to offer.