Hard Work, Not Anointing Oil, Will Transform Economy: Lawyer

Religion has attracted more than its fair share of critics – both from and outside the church. And especially in these harsh economic times, the church will inevitably run into criticism.

And sometimes the criticism is unwarranted, says renowned Zimbabwean motivational speaker and lawyer Arthur Marara.

“But other times we absolutely deserve the criticism that comes our way because we  just shoot ourselves in the foot,” says Marara, a Christian and author of several educational books  including the Shine Series of textbooks which focus on Advanced Level History and Divinity for Zimbabwean schools.

“The country’s economic fortunes will not be changed by anointing oil!” he told the hundreds of youths during an empowerment symposium on the Zimbabwe Christian Council grounds in the capital last weekend.

“Our youths, both boys and girls, must understand that it’s your habit that shapes your future,” he said at the Impact: Business, Leadership and Economic Youth Empowerment Summit.

“As youths, with a vision, know that hard honest work pays in the end and not to put your lives at the mercy of charlatans and cooking oil manipulators!” he emphasized, pulling no punches.

He should know. The advocate has walked the road and his is a kind of rags-to-riches story: “My dad passed away when I was 13 and my mom persevered through selling vegetables and vending at the market-place while we worked hard to as children. I managed to get through university and became a lawyer,” he said, proudly.

Work ethic.

The well-known advocate blasted lazy youths who spend most of their time into the drug scene and other delinquent behavior while moaning and whining all the time: we have no jobs!

No jobs?” Really?

“Create your own job! Be creative! Create just one job for yourself. Be your own CEO! And take it from there!

Asking for no apology from any of the youths, he lambasted them for putting politics at the forefront of their lives.

“You can have an interest in politics but do not let this be an obsession!” he advised them, explaining: “If you are a serious youth with a vision, your job is to share the Gospel, and not change the government!

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, and even St Paul, spent precious little time trying to influence the government.

“Jesus completely rejected the idea of becoming the government when people asked him to be their political leader!”

The lawyer further implored youths to be creative and innovative in their endeavours and stop being incapacitated by constant moaning and being slaves to social media trends.

“Be useful to yourself and to society. Don’t change your handset until the quality of your contacts change!” he said, drawing groans from some youth social media addicts with every expensive gadgets they only use for Whatsapp gossip!

And he rubbed it in.

“And don’t change your hairstyle until you have changed your mindset! Amen!”