Let’s start our conversation by looking at the term Control Systems.

A control system is defined as a system of devices that manages, commands, directs, or regulates the behaviour of other devices or systems to achieve a desired result. A control system is a system that controls its output by regulating its input. There are two types of Control Systems: open-loop control and closed-loop control systems. An open-loop CS gives its output based on its original input whilst a Closed-loop CS has a feedback Signal, an error detection protocol, an error elimination protocol, and one or more Feedback.

Without the feedback, it is difficult to achieve the accuracy and reliability of complex systems. The feedback loop is the tool that takes the system output into consideration and enables the system to adjust its performance to meet the desired result of the system. Open-loop Systems are not reliable.

Yeah, I studied Engineering 😁😁🤗. Having answered that question, let us proceed.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” — Genesis 4:6–7 (NLT)

What has always stood out for me in this conversation is that God was willing to have a conversation about the offering (and it seems like it was immediately too) — talk about having difficult conversations. God evaluated Cain’s disposition after His rejection of his sacrifice and forewarned him (which was supposed to forearm him). More like God was saying, Bro, if you bring an offering that is right, now, it will be accepted. Take my refusal of your offering now as feedback and do it RIGHT — I would accept it. The keyword is if you DO what is right, not if you DID what was right. God was more like, take note of my feedback, correct the error, and optimize your System.

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. — 2 Samuel 12:7–9 7

Apparently, David had lost context to the gravity of what he did because he could judge someone else for the same crime but apparently couldn’t evaluate his own situation. It took a prophet Nathan to give him this Feedback

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. — Luke 22:31 -32 (NIV)

One of the reasons for this feedback is so that Faith doesn’t fail — because if it fails, we sin (Romans 14:23b). Sometimes, feedback is given privately other times it is given not so privately. How do you handle it?

Sometimes, it is given by God, other times by Man. In other scenarios, it is given by the environment, and other times, it is given by the outcomes. Personally, I have found out that it is not usually interesting.😔🙁 It is tough, it can be ego-stinging and I think that it is part of what God wants to work on in us — our perception of our ability vis a vis the Grace He has made available to us.

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. — Romans 12:3 (NLT)

The how of the delivery of the feedback is actually secondary. We are to always evaluate — is this true? What my Boss, neighbour, siblings, friend, colleague, Team lead, Pastor, Result said — is it actually true? If it is, work on it. Feedback is a blessing, it might be tough but it helps us optimize before consequences happen and had-I-knowns get into the conversation. Sometimes, just sometimes, the man in the Mirror is the Challenge and that isn’t bad — because by the Grace of God, you can work on him/her (Micro Level Strategy).

I saw this on someone’s status recently; At no point are we the perfect standard.

Friends, this is a journey of becoming. God wants to ensure that we are thoroughly furnished, fully optimised. Together, let us:

Evaluate how we execute our responsibilities,

Evaluate how we manage our commitments,

Evaluate how we react to people’s Successes and Failures,

Evaluate how we handle our Bodies,

Evaluate how we speak,

Evaluate the Workings of the Spirit in us,

Evaluate how we manage our Finances,

Evaluate how we dress,

Evaluate how we…

You made it to this point, the Shout of a King is within you! Do have a blessed week and peace within your walls.

I remain a fellow Comrade serving with you to actualize the LORD’s Agenda.

Ayomide Arowele

@arowele.ao