COLOURS OF LIFE With Koko Kalango
In the 1960s, as part of the ‘Jackson 5’, the youngest of the brothers was an outstanding entertainer. In 1971 he went solo and recorded increasing success, climaxing, in the mid 80s, with the release of Thriller – the best selling album of all time!
At the peak of Michael Jackson’s career Time Magazine wrote of him “Star of records, radio, rock video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste and style and colour tooâ€.
Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, was indeed one of the most talented men ever.
In his 1988 hit, Man In The Mirror, Jackson posits that to change the world we need to change ourselves. In short; ‘change begins with me’. I am sure he was not referring to the mantra of a political party! What we are discussing here is more serious than what we chant at rallies.
Social commentaries show we have a passionate populace, full of ideas on how to better Nigeria. There continues to be differing schools of thought on the best way to strengthen our society – strong government, good leadership, functioning systems, etc. I agree all these are necessary but today let us take Jackson’s advice and look inwards for the solution.
To bring about the kind of change we desire, some of us need to change our mindset, some of us need to change our values, some of us need a change in our attitude, and all of us need a change of heart.
It takes more than a New Year resolution, to have a change of heart. True change of heart requires a divine touch. God is waiting to give that touch so in a sense the ball is in our court. We must first come to terms with the fact that we need a saviour to deliver us from our selfish, wicked nature. To receive this new heart, we would have to believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God, and surrender to His lordship.
‘If any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold all things are become new’ 2 Corinthians 5:17
This is how true change happens and it must have corresponding effect on the way we live. The ‘noise’ we hear on Sunday mornings should be matched by an equal measure of social reform.
So, beyond looking up to blame our leaders, looking down to blame our followers, or looking around to blame the other person. Let us look inward, at the Man In The Mirror. Jackson sings:
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
