Your Ticket to Heaven...

It's been a while since I've waxed religious on this blog (Yes, I said waxed--sue me), and I feel it's my duty to share these little nuggets, every now and then... You know, 'cause Jesus says I should :)
This one came to me from an unexpected source, and my best friend Carl had a similar encounter, but it's always that much more real, when you experience it for yourself. I hope the message will reach home.

God uses some really simple ways sometimes to drive home some big points, and sometimes, if you're not paying attention, you'll miss it.

Now, I'm sure you notice that train ticket to the side. By itself, it's just blah... meaningless. But as of today, Thursday, September 26 2013, it represents a whole lot more to me.

Last week, my family and I took the train to visit a relative of ours. Before getting on the train, we had to buy tickets. Due to how this system is very structured and orderly, unlike a certain disorganized and chamba-chamba country *ahem* Jamaica, the train comes and goes on a schedule, and pretty much waits for no one. We had made it to the station just in the nick of time to get our tickets and get on the train. While on the train, an attendant is supposed to come around and verify everyone's ticket or easy cards to ensure that everyone paid. On the way to visit our relative, this did not happen. Two days later we were heading home, and I said that it made no sense to buy tickets because no one was going to check. Well, my sweet, law abiding parents bought the tickets anyway, and sure enough--NOBODY checked!

Today (26/9/13), I was taking the train on my own, and the saaame thought came to my head. "Why bother buy a ticket if no one is going to check?" But, my parents' law abiding-ness apparently is hereditary so I bought my ticket... What do you think happened this time?

Of COURSE! There he was, dressed in a khaki suit with a black stripe on the pants and the Tri-Rail symbol mounted on his shoulder, looking all police-like with a scanner in his hand. "May I see your ticket please?" asked the gentleman, to which I obliged.

Some hours later after a fun evening, with my lesson learned, I searched desperately for my ticket (it was round trip) while on my way back to the train station. After coming up empty from both pockets I was mightily relieved to find it tucked away safely in my wallet. On the way back, as you would imagine, tickets were checked again; who'd a thunk it? Not me. Good thing I was prepared.

Yup, good thing I was prepared. And you know, a bright smile came upon my face as I sent the following text message to my friend Carl:

"Such is the kingdom of heaven. You can be ready all your life, and then you seh "Chuh! God naa come"; and then you do all kinda fawt--next thing you drop out (die) and you have a one way ticket to hell..."

The message is simple. Life is too uncertain for us not to have our houses in order. We need to make sure our lives are in accordance with the will of God, or else, when the Ultimate Ticket Checker of Life comes, we will be found wanting, and will suffer the eternal consequence. Jesus is your ticket to Heaven.

The gospel train is a'comin'! And you best believe it won't be long. When you get on board, will you have your ticket? I definitely will.

Farewell, Sweet Jamaica - Open Letter to my Country

Today (Friday, September 13, 2013), I leave the country of my birth to live in another land. 

(I know I know, Friday the 13th, boohoo! I'm soooo scared *rolls eyes*)

N.B. This was published in the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. You can view that highly edited version here ----> HIGHLY EDITED VERSION

For the original, continue reading.

I take with me, my skills, talents, knowledge and experience(s), as I prepare to expand and use them in the land for which I am bound. As most of you read this, I have already arrived at my new destination. Why did I leave you may ask? I'll tell you.

Jamaica needs hope; hope that seems to be on the brink of extinction. Hope that surely will not be forthcoming from our leaders--CERTAINLY not this generation anyway. As we speak, the leadership in the opposition Jamaica Labour Party will potentially be up for grabs, and should it change to the potential contender, I don't know if that would make any positive difference.

Photo from thepolitricks.com

You may ask; is the political system in my new found land perfect? No. Are the societal flaws too? Of course. But, at this point in my young life, those seem a lot more bearable.

Then, there are the job and educational situations. Jamaica does not appreciate its pupils as it ought, and it's a crying shame for students leaving secondary schools with 10 distinctions who get stuck because they came from poor families who cannot afford to send them further. For those who do go further and excel in university, they are unable to get jobs because they cannot acquire capital to create new businesses, and employers are hiring only their friends and persons who are experienced (i.e. old, needing to retire), all while looking over their shoulders to see if the Student's Loan Bureau will publish them in the island-wide wall of shame for nonpayment of their loans. 

Those who are trained and qualified watch while we import workers from Asia, Europe and everywhere not named Jamaica, leaving them to twiddle their thumbs while leaders in those countries ensure to cater to their own first. As a resident of my new home, the scope for opportunity is much larger, both geographically and quantitatively.

Goat Islands - Photo Courtesy of the Jamaica Observer

Jamaica can be oppressive, in a sense where the system seems to be set to fail, especially the poor and middle class. That way the rich get richer, and the poor continue to struggle and look to an uncaring government for help and handouts. Our society is supposed to be democratic, but our governments, past and present love to act first and deal with the consequences later. Face it, no matter what the populous says, the outcome of the Goat Islands conversation as the potential spot to house the Logistics Hub will be decided by (and probably is already decided) by the Cabinet’s decision, with little to no thought towards the people’s and environmentalist alarms. As we’ve come to learn, nobody's voice is heard, unless there's blocking of roads, brutal murder or an anomaly occurs that draws media attention. It is really sad.

I go to a society, where you can literally "tun yuh han' and mek fashion" with just about anything, not only clothing; one where you can work in sanitation and custodial services and hold your head high and be proud of your honest living and still be comfortable enough, as opposed to Jamaica where upturned nostrils and empty pockets are the most common sights for these persons, who look forward to Christmas time where they leave little envelopes hoping for a little serendipity. I go to a society, where, though imperfect, the justice system works, and quickly at that. A society, where corrupt persons are caught daily and prosecuted; a society where much care and financial support are given to the educational system; one where there already exists designated school buses, where there isn’t a daily squabble between commuters and public passenger vehicle operators over correct fares, and where state owned buses don’t spew you with toxic, noxious fumes every time they move from a halt. 

Courtesy of translationdirectory.com

Courtesy of the Jamaica Gleaner

Trading

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It is a society where, save for the occasional instance where skin colour matters, there is truly equal opportunity for ALL.

I go, to improve myself, and my standard of living for a happier life. But, I will not—CANNOT—forget my sweet Jamaica. No matter the trials and tribulations, 'nuh weh no betta dan yaad'. I'll send remittances, and admonish persons to visit. I won't turn my back on my home. I'll keep tabs on my island in the sun and continue to engage in debate and conversation with fellow locals on ways to improve life here, because, who knows, maybe like the in the movie 'Terminator', "I'll be back."