Lifestyle Columnist, Amanda Alexander
I’ve heard many times over the years the ‘Blame Game’. That is if it wasn’t for so and so, or had I been born there, or it’s the white man’s fault, I would be successful by now, that my friend is a bunch of crock and I’ll explain why.
I’m going to use slavery to encourage and motivate us to soar in every area of our lives. As descendants from slavery, what type of legacy are we leaving for the next generation? A boy was born in 386 AD, in Bannavem Taberniae, Wales, U.K, his name was Maewyn Succat. Maewyn was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland at the age of 16. Eventually in his twenties he ran away from his slave masters, and years later became a Priest, then a Bishop, he also heard the ‘Voice of the Irish’ calling him back to preach the gospel. It could be likened to Moses in the bible who ran from Egypt, but many years later the Book of Exodus chronicles how he returned to deliver the children of Israel, and also Paul who heard the voice of the Macedonian people calling him to come and help them in Acts 16:9-10.
You may be saying who is this Maewyn I’ve never heard of him. After being ordained a priest, Maewyn’s name was changed to ’Patrick’, who died at the age of 78 on March 17th, 465 A.D. St Patrick faced great persecution for bringing the gospel to Ireland which included, being imprisoned approximately 12 times, hardships, trials, life threats and more but nothing deterred his mission from achieving God’s call on his life. St Patrick established monasteries, churches and schools. In 1631 the Irish Church in honour of St Patrick’s work, started to celebrate him on March 17th, (date of his death) and named it St Patrick’s Day. This day continues to be celebrated in over 200 countries including the Caribbean by Irish settlers, in recognition of his tremendous achievements to the nation of Ireland. St Patrick’s work is ongoing today through many disciples of Jesus Christ around the world, one of the organisations I personally know is called ‘Patrick’s Mission’, who’s passion and heart is to communicate the gospel through beautifully illustrated images, www.patricksmission.com
Today, we are a community of free men and women, what legacy are we leaving which could be celebrated with joy and reverence, approximately 12 centuries later? Are we really prepared to lay down our lives for the service of others like St Patrick and Jesus?
If so, I’d encourage you to check your schedule today, and you’ll see where you’re spending the majority of your time, and ask yourself, where does this fit in, in light of eternity.
St Patrick has inspired me to keep going, no matter how tough the road of life becomes, to remain grounded in a life of prayer in order to see the miracles of God, like he did. We can all leave an important and powerful legacy, let’s just do it!
So until next time, remember that you are beautiful and wonderfully made – With love Amanda x
Amanda Alexander is a Pastor, Teacher, TV Media Journalist
CEO & Founder of Female Dignity, Warrior Women. She serves on the leadership team of New Life Church in Bishops Stortford and is ministry coordinator for Patrick’s Mission
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