Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

Although I am an individual I am still part of a bigger picture. It is this knowledge that enables me to think through my very existence and to reflect on the purpose for me being here. We are all passing through as the old song goes, none of us are here permanently and so at a particular point in the performance we take centre stage. Before we can do this however we have to learn our pats. This is the essence of putting in a good performance, learn your part well. The problems we face are that many of our men have not been given the script and so they just try to make it up as they go along. Being impetuous is great, but at really important points in the play we have to know what to do. And so birth, marriage and death and three very important points in this play called life. I am aware that although we are all born and we all die, not all of us ‘get’ married. Our faith and community should cater for this situation. This learning from those who are ahead of us in the game or the play is vital. Once inducted into the community any young person needs to follow in the footsteps of an older person. Today we call this mentoring. Other names used for this role are: Guru, Elder, Tutor, Supporter, Guide, Counsellor and Advisor. In the past our fathers were all of these. For my community, the Caribbean Diaspora, this position was circumvented and the father was taken away from the family and emasculated. The consequence of this is that we have generation after generation of men who procreate, but cannot father. They would beat and abuse their children rather than affirm them and take them through the various roles of this vast production. The pain of the past must be broken and this can only be achieved by our men being ‘born again’. The pain of separation, abuse and ill-treatment can and will be overcome, but those of us who are now at centre stage must play our parts and play them well. Read the writings of 1Peter, chapter 2 for some nuggets of wisdom.