03/19/2024
"Naga e senang khudutlou bo lobetlo ba ipha naga" Not sure if my spelling is on point but you get that one proverb we used to abuse every time when trying to get decent Setswana composition marks.
From what we are told, the main principle around this proverb is that without proper structure and leadership, chaos is inevitable.
I took some time to myself, sat down with my teacher and asked him to pass on some information concerning this saying. As I am accustomed, I yielded my mind and former understanding, asking him, the holy spirit for insight. From our conversation this is what I picked up.
Why did our elders chose to use a metaphor, relating to "naga"? It could possibly be due to older settlements we had in their days, however, I was brought to also thinking more internally. Usually, we think of "naga" as referring to organizations, Family, places of power and authority but the most important place we forget is our inner-self, our souls. Our minds and our soul are fertile ground that are entrusted to our rule. As men were originally entrusted with Eden, I believe the same applies with regards to our minds. In this fertile land we have the responsibility of taking care of the land, weeding and tilling as some might say.
Different seeds are sown in our hearts and minds everyday. Ideologies that we are aware of and some we aren't. The regular power struggle we see in our external environment through external conflicts and politics is real. However, one power struggle we often are blind to that over your minds. Everyone sows a seed into your life with each interaction, through the direct and indirect. Sometimes it is through subtle nuances, sometimes it is even from people who are supposed to care for you. This is a very apparent reality seen in Matthew 13 , when we go through the parable of the sower. Without an awareness of this reality, we often give up our power by neglecting our responsibility to do our job; taking care of the land. Checking what type of plants are growing in our precious soil.
It is important as an individual to question everything that comes your way. Testing every thought, opinion and belief before accepting it as truth. The truth about this is that we live with humans who may have had certain seeds sown in them. They too may try to pass on what they know, good or bad. This is usually without any form of malice however weeds are weeds, so caution and deep reflection is needed even with those you love. You can love someone and disagree with them just as you can disagree with someone and still respect them. "Bo lobeto" when loosing grip of power sometimes try to shame people for taking back the power. They hate when people have their own opinions and when they question the status quo. An indirect weak attempt to shame you into owning your God given ability to reason.
The journey we are on requires us to set up strong foundations and strong routines. Routines that will fortify us from the inside and bring forth the best out of us. Within us are rich grounds, that multiply ten fold, some a thousand fold. Keep your eyes on the true owner of the fields, allow him to teach you how to steward your mind and watch as things flow. Like I say "Bo lobeto" can be good people, some can have strong convictions like Saul before his conversion. Our duty is to remain as "Khudutlou", sharpen your mind and moreover sharpen your spirit. Learn from your surrounding and more importantly from God with a heart that is ready to unlearn and deweed the unwanted (anything that blocks God form working freely in you)
Like and share the Post if you found it insightful. Follow the Page and our Youtube. Next up we will be tackling Perception : How understand and learn. Basically how you only see what you have learned to see. Wick Guardians of Thought with - Tshepang John Emmanuel Molatedi
