Issue #1,151 August 12, 2004 That's Africa
We drove through a remote area of the Transkei. The sides of every hill were
covered in rondovals (also spelled rondavals), the traditional round South African
home with a thatched roof . They were a variety of colors, but blue, green and
pink predominated. Out back of each home was a brick "long drop" (a South African
term for outhouse). There were few roads. To get from house to house, or from
house to highway, one simply walked.
Livestock wandered loose everywhere. Cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys and
chickens went where ever they pleased. Fencing the animals in seemed a foreign
concept, except for the occasional small corral. I have no idea how people know
which animals belong to whom. There must be some kind of a system, but I couldn't
figure it out.
As we passed by, the children ran to the road and held out their hands calling,
"Sweets!" Apparently, it's common for passersby to toss candy out the window for
them. Children barely able to walk were already learning how to hold out their
hands and beg at the roadside. I was torn between emotions. The kids were cute
to watch and I admired their efforts to get to the road and get their hands out.
I was also saddened by the fact that that they learned to beg at such an early
age. I mentioned it to one of my companions later and got the reply I had come
to expect over Africa's contradictions, "That's Africa."
"That's Africa." It's the explanation for everything that doesn't make sense
to outsiders. Much of it doesn't make sense to locals either, but they've grown
accustomed to the situation and don't think about it. It's both a brilliant answer
and an admission of defeat. Some "That's Africa" things do defy explanation, but
others are problems that need to be solved.
My short time there has left an indelible mark on my spirit and heart. As a friend,
who is a retired pastor from South Africa said to me this morning, "You are out
of Africa but from here on Africa will never be out of you." That statement reminded
me of a profound truth. Christians can be out of fellowship with Jesus for a variety
of reasons, but Jesus is never out of them. Once our Lord takes up residence,
His Holy Spirit remains. That's God!
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for
the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them
out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one
can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
John 10:28-30 NIV
If you feel distant from the Lord, it's not because He has gone away. That's
not His nature or His promise. Look at your own heart. Is there sin to be dealt
with? Are you walking in obedience? Are you spending time in the Word and in prayer?
He's still standing there with His arms open wide waiting for you to turn back.
Until next time, rejoice in the fact that God's faithfulness is steadfast. "That's
Africa" can't hold a candle to "That's God"
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have
value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing
to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without
you.
HELP FOR THE HURTING
God loves you no matter who you are or what you have done. His love and forgiveness
is available to all who earnestly seek it, all you have to do is ask. God is faithful
beyond anything we can comprehend. Nothing is so bad that it will cause Him to
reject those who choose Him. Will you choose to follow Him today?
If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible
verses that will explain it to you.
You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your
heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a
prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer;
it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with
His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to
all who will accept it.
Jesus:
I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have
sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world
and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and
rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you
Lord.
Amen
If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with
you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey
to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.
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