LIFE’S GREATEST LESSON

I remember the cold winter morning in a little German town about 25 years ago, where I was visiting my best friend then.

Together we called our common friends in London, England, and in the conversation, one of them said, “I am sorry for your loss; please accept our sympathies.”

Just as I was grasping the gravity of his shocking words, I heard another friend in the background say, “Why are you telling him. I don’t think he knows yet”.

Upon probing further, I learned that my younger brother had passed away only a few days prior.

The date of his passing was Feb 9, 1993, which is exactly 25 years ago today.

He was 19 years, only five months from his 20th birthday.

The cause of death remains unknown, for every information provided is unsubstantial and merely speculative.

Over the years, though, that is now immaterial, for the more we tried to understand it, the less we did.

As the adage goes, I chose to let sleeping dogs lie.

Better still, I let go and let God. Per the Bible's advice, “Be still and know that I am God.”

While I still remember that phone call, that well-intended greeting from a friend, that cold winter day, and of course, the loss of my brother, I have learned life’s greatest lesson.

That is, life is guaranteed to no one.

It is not guaranteed to you, your family members and friends, irrespective of age or circumstances.

Based on this, therefore, what must we do?

Love yourself and everyone else - wholeheartedly and judiciously.

Be gracious, merciful, kind, compassionate and hospitable.

Forgive everyone who may have (hurt) sinned against you; so that God may forgive you too.

Just as you are not perfect, no one is.

Free yourself from any grudge, hate, malice, bitterness, and resentment, for nothing will make your life more meaningless than these emotional deformities.

Pursue your dreams with all your heart, while passionately living a purpose-driven life.

No matter your age and circumstances, ensure to have a vision that would become your legacy.

Above all else, build a solid relationship with your Maker, the Almighty God, the Being who knows you more than yourself or anyone else. For, whether you believe it or not, your spirit shall return to HIM someday, hopefully, not soon. 

The peace you seek in this life and the next is found nowhere else but in a rock-solid relationship with Almighty God.

You can do this through in-depth Bible studies, prayers and fellowship with the saints. I would be glad to help you to enhance your spirituality if you so desire.

Life’s greatest lesson is this: No one gets out of life alive!

Therefore, why not live it to the fullest so that you are prepared whenever your time is up.

Twenty-five years ago, heaven called up a young talent, a son of my parents who are still alive by God’s grace, a brother of two brothers and a sister, and a friend to many people now scattered around the world.

His name was Irobosa, which means, I am in God’s hands.

Nothing could have been truer in his short life than the meaning of his make, for he was certainly an exceptional kid in every way.

But God knows best.

Here is a passage about him from my book, Welcome to Greatness:

“After the sudden death of my brother many years ago, I learned that life is like water in a boiling pot; from cold to hot may be gradual based on the level of heat that circumstances bring, but evaporation is imminent and often sudden. The death of my brother taught me to never ignore the nudges of the subconscious to contact and encourage someone because it may be the last opportunity that I have to do so before they pass on. I missed out on many opportunities to do so with my brother and now he is no more.”

As we remember him today, I thank God for letting us have him at all, even for such a short time.

Since we can’t pray for or to the dead, I pray for each one of you – that as a parent, you will not have to bury your child; and as a sibling, you will not have to bury your younger ones.

May God protect our lives from any accident and incident that can claim it.

May he grant us the grace to conquer any infirmity and iniquity that can shorten our lifespan.

I say these prayers through Jesus Christ, our LORD, and Saviour. Amen.

Live@Best,

Alex Ihama

www.alexihama.com

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