Except God

The Gye Nyame symbol is popular Adinkra symbol of the Akan Tribe in West Africa. Loosely translated, it means “Except for God” which can be expanded to it’s more common interpretation “No one lives who saw the beginning and no one will live to see it’s end, EXCEPT GOD.” The Gye Nyame symbol harkens to the Supremacy and Sovereignty of God above all things and that HE alone is worthy of Fear and Reverence. None, Except God.

You’ve probably seen this symbol in jewelry, tattoos, shirts, traditional cloth… everywhere there is room for an African to express him/herself you’ll find the Gye Nyame symbol.

I, too, sport the symbol wherever I can. It’s my favorite. It reminds me to lean on God and runs through a lot of flare prayers I send up to God during my day-to-day hi-jinx. “Except God helps me through this exam, I’ll surely fail.“ or “Except God speaks to this police officer, I’ll definitely get a ticket.“ and more recently, “Except God carries us through this COVID period, many of us might not make it.“

The Novel Coronavirus Disease has become an ever present in our lives, its trending in every news feed. It’s unravelling every aspect of our life through layoffs and furloughs; the rationing of basic supplies; death of friends, family and loved ones. We’re losing life as we know it…

Except God.

In the Bible, David, Daniel, Shadrach, Mesach and Abendego did not reach this after they had come to the end of their trials. No, this was their guiding principle as they faced their Goliaths (1Sam 17), as they spent their nightin the lions’ den (Dan 6) and as they were thrown into a blazing furnace (Dan 3).

Hold onto this as the beautiful, organzied, well-planned tapestry of your life unravels to one thin strand. As your finances get skint; as your patience with friends and loved ones wears thin; as fear creeps in through the media. No matter the circumstances, remember there is no authority except from God (Rom 13:1) and He will carry you through.

Fear nothing, Except God.

For in him all things were created: things in Heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. – Col 1:16-17 NIV