Equal to drops like rainwater sitting on a frond, the word bandwagon sat upon my heart. I’d not heard this word in a very long time and immediately knew it was alive with purpose.

The term is richly associated with conformity, in which Apostle Paul beseeched us (the believers in Yeshua and Father Elohim Who gave Him to us) to be ye not conformed to – to this world. Yet, many members of many bodies have rebelled against such begging.

I asked my lads, “What do you think of this word?” They sounded off, “It’s about people wanting to ride with you, because of your success, to gain their own, and they don’t even care for you. They are riding off your good name and your knowledge, skills, and abilities to give the appearance that they are (fill in the blank) when they have not become (fill in the blank).

They were not far off in their thinking.

In addition, I explained to them that it’s also about people who are hopping on to a belief, a statement, an opinion, breaking news, or a promotional ad, and the increase of the persuasion (many, many people hopping on in agreement with those things) says, ‘OH, this must BE fully true and authentic!’

The TRUTH is this: a whole lot of these wagons are leading a whole lot of people into the danger zone. These bandwagons (that many have hitched a ride on) are wooing a nation of people. They are wooing them into a secret place: a place that they don’t know they don’t want to be. And, it’s not the wise sinner man thumbing for a ride. It’s the foolish saved man, who has forsaken knowledge, whose ego is on 1,000; who’s snobbish, selfish, and puffed up, and who has ceased to seek the Kingdom of YAH. SELAH.

As I have nurtured my family, I minister to you – don’t jump on every bandwagon. Choose them wisely.
© 2016 Angela M. Smith (Nataph)

On yesterday, I was part of a discussion about friendships, and a few things wiggled in my mind about establishing relationships including, friendships. It’s likened to an employee-employer relationship. An applicant’s resume (introduction) can be spot on; their first impression is so attractive that you start crushing on them and advocate for them to the hiring team to extend an offer. The candidate accepts the offer. YAY! Right?  

So, then, they attend regular training sessions to learn more about the relationship that they are developing. There is a culture that they must embrace to remain in the relationship; there are standards, policies, and operating procedures that will enhance the budding connection. During the probationary period – 90 days – the applicant (who is now in your life, in your house, as an employee) starts to exhibit conflicting behaviors with you – the employer.

You see that their ethics, personality, and morals are antagonistic! Their behavior is proving to be detrimental to the relationship. And you, you are not in a position to compromise EVERYTHING you have worked for to build this company (life) of excellence and destroy even a part of the whole to accommodate this imbalance to “fill a void.” OOO-WEE Jesus! Selah.

At this juncture, most employers will terminate the relationship for the cause of “you are not a good fit” for the company (what I’ve established). Selah!

In like manner, it is so with any other relationship, whether they be platonic friendships, romantic relationships, ministry friendships, business friendships, counselor-client relationships, and so forth and so on. When you discover that “they are not a good fit for you,” your soul, the direction of your life’s journey, morals are not parallel, standards break bread with the spirit of ignorance, etc., be free to acknowledge that it is not going to work!   

BE A FRIEND TO YOURSELF AND LET IT GO!

The other thing that has been ringing in my soul is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (KJV):  

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

This kind of relationship, in the above scripture, is not for the marriage relationship only. It should be palatable and desirable in all friendships, companionships, relationships. But, if the one you are with isn’t a good fit, release that relationship – LET IT GO! Let it go for the betterment of both souls. Don’t lose yourself trying to compel them, someone, anyone, to become to you who they don’t care to be. Selah!

© 2021 Angela M. Smith (Nataph)