A Kenyan lady asked me a few days ago: “Do you think you are living your dreams?” I was quite taken aback. Really I hadn’t thought about it. She went on: “Travelling the world, serving God.” Her question bothered me for much of the rest of the day until I found the answer in the Kibera slum.
I’ve been here many times. Our chief African partner focuses the major part of their work here. It always impacts me but perhaps never as much as this visit. I was teaching self esteem to a group of 15 year olds in a run down shed in the centre of the slum. I love the subject. It’s always good to speak to a question you know the answer to! I explained what it meant to be a child of God, and together we unwrapped the significance of this. The most important title in Kenya might appear to be President or Prime Minister, but when a President dies his title dies too. When a child of God dies, it really is only just kicking off.
I had a young boy standing at the front of the class with me as I explained this, and suddenly had one of those God moments. You know when He gives you words, which are so profound you wish you’d thought of them. I put my arm around Phillip and said: “One day we will be standing shoulder to shoulder like this, before the Father in heaven, but not as a white English man and a black Kenyan boy, but just as children of God.” At that moment everyone in the class got it, and suddenly all the disparities of this world vanished before the throne of God.
I came away with my answer: Am I living my dreams? Yes. But not because I travel the world. Only because I have the opportunity to tell young people of their adoption into the family of God. African, European, American, it makes no odds. This is the most holy, privileged role I can imagine.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I recently read the story in Genesis 27 of Isaac's blessing. I suddenly realised that his sons responded differently to their father's query. Jacob's response was, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing." (verse 19). His priority was in the 'name', his pride was in the works he had done for his father, and his passion was in just getting the blessing!
But look at Esau's response, "I am your son,...your firstborn, Esau" (verse 32)! His priority is in his relationship with his father - 'I am your son'! He doesn't even talk about the mission, not even about the blessing!
Oh how I wish my identity was rooted in my relationship with my Father than the name or the works or the promises He has given me!
One of my friend's has this signature in her email: 'Don't go to God for a miracle, go for a relationship'! That got me thinking!
What does Paul say again? "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,...There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26,28). That's what you mean Colin - that's who we are and will be when we stand before the throne of God - 'sons of God'!
Thanks Abraham, that is awesome. I'd be interested in your thoughts on my post on short term mission.
Colin
Post a Comment