The Godfather

In the past having a godfather was a significant thing in Kenya for many people. People believed that, despite their qualifications, for them to secure a decent kind of job, or any job for that matter, for a door to be opened, documents to be processed, or for green pastures in life, they had to have a connection with someone of influence. This person just needed to make a call on their behalf and all their needs would be met. They would refer to this ‘powerful’ person as a ‘godfather’.

If you were employed and didn’t have a godfather, you worried you might have a tough time getting anywhere, so you’d try to be more efficient than everyone else, so you wouldn’t lose your job. But those with godfathers didn’t need to worry about anything. I praise God this concept has changed, and nowadays people just need to have right qualifications for their jobs.

People would keep on mentioning their godfather’s name just to keep others aware of his influence in their lives. This led to their under-performance as they felt ‘untouchable’, depending on how powerful their godfather was.

One lady was once asked, “How did you secure a job here when you say you didn’t have a godfather?” She always avoided that question, but one day she gave in, because they wouldn’t stop asking her. She admitted that she had a godfather with great influence, even above that of the boss of the company. They thought it must have been someone important in the government, and so they gave her great respect and never bothered her again. But this lady was referring to her "heavenly godfather".

Yes, we all have a "godfather". It’s our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that He lives in us (if we’ve accepted Him in our heart), so we’re never alone, in whatever situation we face. ‘And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory’ (Colossians 1:27b).

We just need to ask our ‘godfather’ for help. Nothing can defeat His supremacy and this should give us confidence in all the circumstances of our life. So we don’t need to worry. The question is who do you call first, or run to, when you’re in need, or when you’re full of joy?

Jesus is the Lion of Judah, delivering Daniel from the lions’ den. Jesus is a consuming fire, saving Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Jesus is the way, making a way through the Red Sea for the children of Israel. Jesus is the resurrection, releasing Lazarus from the tomb. Jesus is the rock and the living water, providing water from the rock for the children of Israel in the wilderness. Jesus came to set the captives free, opening prison doors for Paul and Silas. Jesus is the answer to all the questions, whether they came from the disciples, the Pharisees, the teachers of religious law, the high priest or Pilate.

Jesus is in us, which means we have the answer we need, ‘don’t worry how to answer. I will give you the right words’ (Luke 21:14-15).

At the mention of His name, every knee shall bow. In other words everything shall submit to His authority. For all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus who lives in us. Do you believe this? Take everything to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for any circumstances in which I have looked upon men instead of fixing my eyes on You. Help me to recognise and believe in Your supremacy in my life and always run to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.