BUT WHY? This is a phrase from a heart searching through the rubbish of broken dreams, broken promises and a twisted childhood issues looking for clues. (TD Jakes, 1984).
Times come when reality is unbelievable, when what the eye sees, the mind does not accept.
The Biblical Elijah challenged the god of Baal’s prophets to send fire which would consume both the altar and the sacrifice.
“Call on your gods”, charged Elijah, “Cry aloud, your god may be busy talking, he may be travelling or is asleep.” From morning to evening the gods remained mum.
Then proudly came Elijah, pitched up 12 stones, dug a trench around the altar. Wood and the bullock were ready. Four barrels of water were poured three times into the trench until it overflowed.
“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel prove that you are the living god”, pleaded Elijah. Immediately fire came blazing down from God and consumed the bullock, wood, stones and licked up all the water in the trench. What a feat for Elijah!
Stupendous victory for Elijah and his God. In response Elijah killed all the 400 and fifty prophets of Baal.
As if to cap it all, Elijah sprinted in front of King Ahab’s Chariot taking the King to safety before the great tsunami fell.
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Jezebeel, Ahab’s wife breathed fire after the death of Baal’s prophets and commanded Elijah to be killed instantly.
Victorious Elijah fled for dear life. From Mount Carmel to under a juniper tree, slept weary Elijah praying for death.
Discouraged and despondent. Victory is vanished, fear reigns supreme.
Twice God’s angel prepared a meal for despondent Elijah in preparation for 40 days and nights journey: 1st Kings Chapters 18&19.
Equally, John the Baptist, the forerunner, the herald of the Messiah boldly declared: “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Isaiah referred to John as the voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord and making his paths straight. Eloquent John referred to his audience as a generation of vipers fleeing from the wrath to come. That generation’s salvation lay in bringing fruits reflective of repentance.
John pointed his converts to Jesus the lamb of God, whose shoelaces he did not qualify to unloosen. His catch words were “Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World.”
Amazingly, the same John (now a prisoner) sent two of his disciples to establish whether or not Jesus was indeed the Messiah or one was yet to come! Of all people, how could John the forerunner now question the credentials of Jesus the Messiah? (Matthew Chapter 11).
The term why, is a simplistic and yet crucial prayer when faced with tense moments.
This urgent prayer explodes from the lips. It is a cry for purpose not solutions. It suggests that if we can only find meaning to the madness then the strength to endure would quickly get us going. (TD Jakes, 1984)
In their circumstances, how did Elijah and John find meaning to madness of their time? God asked Elijah: “What are you doing here, purpose started to glimmer, I am despondent because I am the only prophet left.” Mission-Purpose was then given – “Go to Damascus and anoint Hazael to be King of Syria, Jehu as King of Israel and Elisha as your successor.” Loneliness was addressed:
“I have seven thousand people in Israel who have not bowed down to Baal”.
John’s disciples saw the blind receive sight, the lame walking, lepers cleansed, deaf hearing, dead raised up, poor accepting the gospel. In turn Jesus testified on John: “What went ye out to see in the wilderness — a reed shaken by the wind, a man clothed in suits or a prophet?”
Among those born of women, none is greater than John, yet he is who is least is greater than him, With this assurance John got the purpose for life and was ready even for the guillotine. (Matthew Chapter 11).
The old adage says, pride goes before a fall. Why do people leave us when we need them the most?
Difficult as it may appear to be, desertion may be God’s scholastic achievement programme for humanity. The purpose is strip us of our strong tendency to depend on others, thereby teaching us self reliance that leans on God.
The struggle earnestly starts when people forsake us and not when they surround us. Desertion may help us discover our identities and self worth, (TD Jakes, 1984).
Juxtaposed to the above narrated episodes, is Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, ending up on the rugged cross on the hill of Golgotha, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Not my will but your will be done”, God’s will was to save humanity through crucifixion. This experience gave Jesus a purpose to either live or die, (Mark Chapters 11-15).
The paradox of coming down from the hill of victory to the plain of embarrassment can not be explained any better than by Jakes’ assertion: “It is Gods scholastic achievement programme to strip humanity of its strong tendency to depend on others and clothe us with dependency and reliance on God.”
Forewarned, forearmed!
Moses Tsimukeni Mahlangu is the general-secretary for Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers’ Union. He is a labour consultant and arbitrator. Feedback: Email: [email protected] Cell: 0775 547 120 or 0712 864 275
