masai pride

masai people. so full of sacred history. it seems as though they have not progressed as the rest of the world has through the ages. their rituals and customs still the following that of their ancestors. i had the opportunity to sit under their teachings this week. they welcomed us into their village with enthusiasm. these people are amazingly beautiful. they wear the staple masai clothing, usually with red draped over their shoulders. long pieces of material wrap around their spindly frames, thin arms and legs protrude out of their colorful clothing. and the beads. these people are firm believers of jewelery, necks are adorned with beads stacked high. some wear sandals, some don’t. the men seem to always have spears, walking sticks, and peace sticks by their side. the women usually have a baby secured to their backs. they taught us of the their culture. its so vast yet so simple. the pride of the masai are their cattle. they say that every cow in the world belongs to them. no one can take from them. they are proud. the men tend the cattle. they use them for food, for clothing, for drink, for trade. a herd of fifteen cattle can buy one wife. they practice polygamy. at the age of twenty five the men can begin to choose wives. up until five years ago they believed that to become a man you had to kill a lion. and no, they do not have high powered guns. they have to kill with their hands, using a spear, a knife, and a bow. they thrive off of bravery. the masai village is always set up as a circle. the cattle are at the center, for safe keeping, they like to call it their “bank.” next come the houses. then a large fence made out of branches to keep out wild animals. everything is so close quartered. the women build the entire village, houses and everything. they cook. they clean. they raise children. they cut wood to build houses, gather water, find food, and make the clothing. they are immensely strong. they do virtually everything. the dance and song of these people reach back centuries. i had the privilege of dancing with them! as the different melodies and rhythms rose from their mouths, it all fell together into perfect harmony, stacking the air with history. beautiful songs! men and women singing and dancing, the image and sound is one not likely to forget. unashamed. while the men dance and sing they often times have jumping contests to catch the eyes of the village women. and let me tell you, these guys can jump! its amazing. the day to day living of the masai people is one to learn from. although they are extremely different from any other sect of people, they are completely dedicated to their culture. they know who they are, what they stand for, and they are most proud of it. it made me wonder the same about myself. who am i? what does it mean to be me? the strongest thing in my life is God. but do i live for Him, so dedicated and so willing to do anything to prove it? do i have that sure, complete masai confidence? the question is hard. i doubt God at times. doubt leads to hesitancy. it holds me back from living out Gods plan for my life to the fullest. all because the seed of doubt eeked its way into my life. although the life of the masai is hard, and full of trials, they continue to live in abandonment to their culture. through the ages, God has not ceased to be. He has not failed at being God, at keeping covenants. He has never forgotten His Word. can anyone find even a scrap of reason to doubt God? no. He is Supremely in control. hebrews 10:35 “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward!” also, where is our pride in who God is. just as the masai are proud and boast in who they are, they hold their heads high with confidence, they strut with no trace of fear. so then should we! let us be happy to be different from the world. we are Gods chosen people! whom shall we fear? psalm 20:7 “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.” take pride in the Lord. let us choose to spread His Love, His Fame, His Glory, His Grace, without shrinking back into fear. with complete confidence in who He is. let us walk in utter faith that He is who He says He is. hebrews 13:6 ” So we can confidently say, “the Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.