"That Which is Mine"
Exemplifying morality
The tricycle park was busy that afternoon. The majority of the students had just concluded lectures for the day. Everyone was on the run for home; for some good rest and a moment to breathe fine.
I rode in the tricycle of this aged man. Tentatively, he was in his 50s.
The unwritten code of the park is that every rider pays a token to the coordinators dressed in lemon green beeps. The tricycle I rode in was filled just about the time I was seated.
‘Gashi’ (take!) the rider called out to the coordinator standing nearest to his vehicle.
The busy coordinator was distracted by some other occurrence on the premises.
The rider called out severally, stretching his tired hand to reach for the coordinator but to no avail.
I estimated the time it will take me to get to my destination, and had planned all I wanted to do afterwards. The failed attempts of getting the attention of this busy coordinator would not slow me down nor should it interrupt my agenda for the day. Somehow, I was unable to say: “Can we just leave since he isn’t responding. At least, you called severally but he did not respond”.
He pulled out of the rack toward the coordinator who was about half a metre away from his initial position. He stretched his hand again. This time, he was successful.
The coordinator was short of funds to give the rider complete change. He redirected the rider to his colleague who was just by the side.
Frantically, the colleague handed the rider about twice the amount he was to give. Immediately, the rider clarified the situation, He made sure he left with just the amount that was his.
I was awed!
‘Wow!’ I remarked to get a conversation started. ‘That was remarkable!’
‘Ah’, he began. ‘I committed that I would not make a wealth of any resource that is not genuinely mine. Of what gain is it to enrich me with what is not mine? There is no blessing in that. . . .’
I was yet astounded. The hard times in the economy still don’t taint the moral conduct of some members of the economy. A reason some folks perpetrate crimes in society alludes to the poor economic conditions in the nation.
In retrospect, this rider was obviously in need of the time he spent reaching for the attention of the coordinator more than I was desperate to arrive at my destination. The weariness of the other passengers was enough to push the rider further to conclude to leave without making any payment. Yet he resisted every force which pressured him, even if unspoken. His conscience mustn’t be imprisoned for a dime. He wants nothing but that which is rightfully his.
Do you have a moral compass? An anchorage that helps you stay within the boundaries of behaviours that is selfless and serves the good of the next man? If we are all driven by selfless values how hopeful our society will be?
Gracefully, there is help from the inherent selfishness which taints mankind. And this help was made for all. It is in acknowledging and believing that Jesus saves. And the plan includes the entirety of humanity; none is left out, regardless of whatever labels exist in society. He is the reason I can do and not do certain things.
I need your selfless attitudes to thrive, just as you need mine.
In this trying times?
This is one good job he did