The Forbidden Leaf

We had our football league on Sunday as usual and one young man was intent on breaking one of the rules that govern all activities on our compound. He was busy chewing khat, which is a locally produced drug that is considered legal in the country. It is commonly known as miraa and is a frequently exported leaf especially to the northern parts of the country and to Somalia. It is mostly used to keep one alert, although it has many known side effects.

As soon as I noticed him chewing on the stuff, I diplomatically informed him that use of the substance was banned on the compound and he good-naturedly told me that he was on the last leaf after which he would quit. To my dismay, he was still putting more of the leaves into his mouth the next time I saw him. I reminded him of the warning and he promised that that was the very last leaf. I came across him a third time and he was still putting the stuff into his mouth. This time, I felt like an idiot, and promptly asked him to leave the compound and take his stuff with him. I think my desire to show some leniency was interpreted as powerlessness and he became arrogant.

I went to our security man at the gate and pointed out the man to him. He immediately went to the offender and spoke with him for about five minutes then returned. I didn't know the nature of their discussion so I kept my peace and later asked him what had transpired. He informed me that the young leaf-chewer had been 'convinced' to spit out what he was chewing, and those who know about this stuff know that the chewing is the interesting part.

I later asked myself if I could have handled the matter differently, if I had lost the opportunity to share Jesus with the man. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that some people need to be shown love and some need to be shown tough love. We may not have had fellowship with one another, but at least some standards were introduced into his life and I hope that he can gradually realize the unpleasantness of a life without Jesus and come to Him. One thing is certain, he will still come to watch the matches this Sunday afternoon.

How do I handle him next time?