Pick Up that Brush

A Call to Creatives

2002-2006

I am a young child, starting out my education.

English is naturally easy for me, story books are my heaven.

For most of my primary school life, I am fascinated by literature.

I eat novels like bread.

I read through the Bible severally.

2007

I am 12 years old.

My country is plunged into a civil war; post-election violence.

Violence spills beyond the machete, it spills beyond the bullet, it spills to the lives of children.

Days are long, hunger pangs are intense, I slip into depression for a while.

I am separated from my parents for months.

There is little to smile about.

2008.

I attempt to join a new school; a good school.

The prospect of school brings hope.

It appears to be a rebirth.

A reawakening of a dead soul.

I fail the interview, however.

But wait…God is doing something…

So the teacher conducting the interview notices I am in the fail list.

But he had never read an essay better than the one I wrote.

When writing it, I never though much of it.

But it was the ultimate game changer.

He argued that I should be given a chance in the school.

2009-2020

In a few weeks I settle down in the new school as a quiet 13-14 year-old.

My love for literature makes me innocently break many academic records.

God used the school to sharpen me.

The next years saw me come first in the primary school level national examination.

An event that helped me join one of the best high schools in the country.

My teachers always said that my writing skills were like an extra arrow in the quiver.

Giving me an advantage over the competition.

Later on, I am accepted into medical school.

Where I still am.

It is amazing what God can do with broken people.

In my college years I have held several jobs as a writer.

I have written novels for a hobby.

I now write to make God famous.

Many have been encouraged by the articles we write.

But I am shocked that when I look back, writing was the one thing I despised.

I was good at it, so why bother with it?

I could draw so why bother with it?

Any time I saw soccer players playing, I looked back and thought…

Ah, I could play better, but I won’t do it to prove anything.

It is shocking to me when I realize that if I did not write that essay well…

My life could have taken a very different direction!

Our talents are weapons dear church!

Moses had the staff in his hand.

Let us not drop the staff put in our hands.

It is intended to be used to split the sea in front of us.

And the sea in front of others.

That sea of spiritual darkness.

That business idea you have is a sword!

This is the season of wealth transfer to the church!

Start that fashion business.

Sell those paintings.

Write those songs.

Play that violin.

Through the talents God gave us…

God will roar the outpouring of the spirit into action!

And bring this revival to a glorious climax.

Peter Kamenju