Nougat 3

Some years ago, probably even decades, there was a Reggae ‘hit song’ that I found a bit captivating. ‘Tek weh yuhself’ (the name of the song) is a combination of dance move and solid advice for ‘sinners’ and saints alike.

The writer begins with the premise that this new dance is simple. We need only, ‘follow di riddim (rhythm) and tek weh yuhself’, which is move away immediately. For me, today’s Holy Nougat invites us to learn the dance for ourselves, especially in the end times.

““When you see the disgusting and destructive thing that Daniel talked about standing in the holy place (the reader should understand this), then those in Judea must escape to the mountains. Those on the roof shouldn’t come down to grab things from their houses. Those in the field shouldn’t come back to grab their clothes.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Tek weh yuhself (Leave Immediately)

It’s worth saying that there was a time in Jamaican social life, where at the sign of apparent danger, we would (most if not all

of us) head towards the danger, rather than move away. I remember people running toward what sounded like gunfire, towards crime scenes, towards accidents.

In those moments, I often wondered whether they were crazy to run towards the danger rather than away. It was no wonder, to me at least, that the government felt the need to teach us to seek shelter in the moment and not run to danger. In essence, the government was advising us tek weh yuhself.

When the End Time comes, we have not only received advice on the ‘present’ dangers, so that we can recognize and respond, but we are also cautioned, Tek Weh Yuhself. We must leave immediately at the sign of the coming Abomination of Desolation. And Jesus says we must Evacuate Immediately.

One might say Jesus offered the sign of Lot. Remember in Genesis 19:12-17, the angels told Lot to leave NOW, don’t look back. He hesitated but the angels grabbed Lot and his immediate family and pulled them to safety. When/If you reread the section, do you realize that the angels advise the family to head to the hills, the same location Jesus sends us to in our Nougat. Is that connected to Psalm 121, where David says his help comes from the Lord? I am not sure. But in leaving, we head to high ground, keep moving until God says ‘Stop’.

Siblings, while we are agreed that this is not The End, we recognize that we are not exempt from danger. And Jesus’ advice is as pertinent for now as it is for the future. What better ‘hill’ to run to than The Rock, Who is Higher than High? On our Rock are the provisions we need for us to overcome when we undergo temptation. In running to Our Rock, we will find the strength to endure and grace if we falter.

Jesus’ message of ‘Tek Weh Yuhself’ is ours for the heeding. What will be our response?

(For those interested,

The video for Tek Weh Yuhself is at

and the lyrics

https://genius.com/Mr-vegas-tek-weh-yuh-self-lyrics )

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May all we seek be found in Christ