The title of this piece is meant to remind the reader of one word – Association. The freedom to associate with any one or any group is a human right that we cherish greatly as human beings. Freedom of Association is a fundamental human right proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Hence, it is a right that every human being has.
Freedom of association also means that an individual should be free to join an organization and to act in association with others as long as no harm is caused.
Wikipedia says this right encompasses both an individual’s right to join or leave groups voluntarily, the right of the group to take collective action to pursue the interests of its members, and the right of an association to accept or decline membership based on certain criteria. So, by this right, you and I are free to join or to belong to a group of whatever nature, based on choice, and acceptable to the group.
We find this strong sense of association in the Scriptures when Paul addressed the Church in Corinth saying, “For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.” (1 Corinthians. 3:4-5)
This bible verse highlights one thing – the importance of questioning and reviewing the use of our freedom to be part of anything or any group. Such self-reflection is important because how you spend your time determines your life; indeed, what you do with your time is what you do with your life. Certainly, nobody wants to intentionally waste their life, yet we so easily do waste this life through our choice of association.
Hence, it is imperative to review the associations we keep and to ask ourselves to what end it is directed. There are people or groups you associate with who add no value to your life in Christ. Well, first you must have a life in Christ for this to be relevant to you.
If you do not have a life in Christ as described in Galatians 2:20, you may well not give much thought to your association. This is because the natural/human way of life, dependance on your own strength and ability, and a life of mediocrity has become a norm.
The life in Christ in Galatians 2:20 is this, that “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Interestingly, as human beings we have a way of justifying everything we are associated with. We count our gains, our advantages and benefits of belonging to a specific association/group. Yet, if we were to tell ourselves the truth, and allow ourselves the spirit of discernment, we would admit that some of our associations only create more excuses that take us away from spending time with our God.
Some of our associations take us away from our God-given responsibilities, God-given purpose, God-given destiny. Most of all, some of our friendships, relationships and associations steal away from us the opportunities of spending quality time and developing our relationship with God. Interestingly, our God-given responsibility of nurturing our relationship with our loved ones is also neglected.
It is a gimmick of the evil one to make us believe that we are very busy attending to important social and cultural engagements and groups while our relationship with God and loved ones suffer greatly. You are so busy belonging to this or that group, attending this or that function, that your family is not able to pray together, study the Word of God together, and nurture children who are present and future ambassadors of Christ Jesus.
Your kids have very limited number of years to spend with you as parents/guardians before they begin to face the world by themselves, yet you do not take the discipline of spending time with them and grooming them in the ways of God’s Holy Spirit.
Know this: every association carries with it its own atmosphere, its own spirit and its own guiding powers. No group thrives without something at its base. No human group thrives without a spirit behind it. Just as every human being carries a history, a story, an atmosphere and a spirit, so does every group or association.
So, the question you need to ask is, “What is the basis for this group?” “What is the foundation for this group?” “What spirit does this group carry, honour and rever?” “Are there things I may not know?”.
Very often, groups are formed and the above questions do not seem relevant. Yes, the group might have certain objectives, vision and goal, yet only just become a structure that takes you away from your own personal purpose and destiny. It is true that a man or woman who has not spelt out his or her own pathway and destination will follow along any pathway as dictated by others.
(To be Continued – in Part 2)
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The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
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