Hi everybody,
Just returned from a wonderful holiday in South Africa. We landed up driving more than 6000 km around the country visiting both family, friends and various interesting tourist attractions like the legendary Robben Island which served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment from the 17th to the 20th century. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder of the price so many people paid for freedom. I can highly recommend a visit to the Island.
What an incredible country. Although I am born and grew up in South Africa I had no idea how diverse and enchanting South Africa really is. Often called “the rainbow nation”, because it is considered to be one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world I was blown away by the exotic combinations of people, landscapes, history and different cultures. Nature has truly worked a special magic on the South African landscape especially with its almost 3000 Km coastline hosting some of the most beautiful beaches and aquatic life in the world. Unfortunately the Atlantic ocean it just a bit too cold for my taste.
But there is also another side to South Africa that one cannot just dismiss and that is the growing chasm between the rich and the poor. The new struggle in South Africa seems to be over the rights of poor people to be housed and for people to find work. In other words the main issue is no longer racism (although it still exists on both sides of the fence) but poverty. Poverty is no longer limited to blacks and coloreds but one can regularly see so-called poor whites (both children and adults) who no longer have jobs to go to begging for hand outs.
The interesting thing with South Africa is that most people have somehow learned to handle the storms of life and find ways to survive the disappointments and challenges that are daily cast upon them. The question I have asked myself time and time again these last 5 weeks is how can we help people find hope and healing when life goes seriously wrong whether it be from external circumstances caused by others or circumstances outside of our control. How do we survive the storms of life?
To answer this question I would like to invite you to join me as we look at a specific incident recorded in the Bible in the gospel of Matthew. We are told in Matthew 8:26 that when the disciples faced a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, they cried out to Jesus, and He stopped it. But first He rebuked them. He asked, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” In other words, “Why do you have so little faith? Haven't you learned anything yet?”
We find a little detail in Mark 4:35 that we don't have in Matthew's account of the story: “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.'” The point is Jesus did not promise the disciples smooth sailing. But He did promise a safe arrival. They needed to know it would be rough. But Jesus did say, “Let us cross over to the other side.” And that meant they would get to the other side.
In the same way Jesus promises to be with us as well. God says, “When you pass through the waters (the trials and difficulties of life), I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2). Just remember that in the storm you are in right now, God is with you. He is walking with you through it.
The worst thing you can do in the eye of the storm is turn your back on God. If you abandon your faith, if you turn against God, you surely won't make it. God has given you a free will, and you can choose to walk away from Him or walk towards Him. However, if you want to make it, then you will. It won't be through your effort or strength, but because God will give you the strength to make it. All He needs is your cooperation.
In closing, I am reminded of our last few days in Cape Town that storms are both unpredictable but also temporary. During our last two days the Cape Doctor decided to make himself known. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term Cape Doctor it is the local name for the strong, persistent and dry south-easterly wind that blows on the South African coast from spring to late summer removing anything in its path. It is truly a humbling experience to be confronted by such forces of nature.
The point is storms will come into every life. The rain will fall and the south-easterly wind will blow. You might have a rough voyage, but you will get to the other side if you are willing to put your trust in God.
God bless
Berny