Starting Afresh
Jubilee Centre November 17th, 2008
Zambia is in a state of tension. The tension comes from the looming job losses in the wake of a sharp decline in world copper prices and the increased cost of food, especially meal-mealie, our staple food. But the tension is far deeper than this. It is the crisis of hopelessness among us as a people. Distrust in the electoral process, poverty, corruption, unemployment and unnecessary deaths from HIV/AIDS make us feel defeated, hopeless and helpless. Even our expectations of what the government can do to improve our lives have been depleted. But is there truly no way out for our country? What are Christians called to do in times like this?
On a recent trip to Lusaka, I was able to attend the Bread of Life Church conference for Men of Destiny. Speaker after speaker inspired us to fight hardships, poverty and sexual immorality to succeed. During one of the sessions my eyes wandered to the writing on the church wall: The Year of Starting Afresh…Isaiah 42:9
. “See the former things have taken place, and new things I declare to you…” As difficult as these questions are, this verse came to me as an answer that God is doing a new thing in Zambia, and He is inviting the church and me to participate.
First, part of God’s invitation to participate in this new thing requires us to demonstrate God’s righteousness and to be light to those who do not know Christ in our communities. The chance to turn our families, communities, nation and own lives away from HIV/AIDS-and indeed, the power to set this country on the road to godly prosperity-begins with the people who understand that God is doing something new. An American comedian, Bill Cosby says, “When you have people who tell you, ‘You can’t get up, you’re a victim,’ that’s when you know that it’s the devil you’re hearing, no one else.” Therefore, if this crisis is leading you to apathy, ignorance and total hopelessness, know that you’re dining with the devil.
Second, part of God’s invitation to participate in this new thing requires us to demonstrate our acts of love for God by the way we love our neighbour. If God’s Word has liberated you from physical and spiritual poverty, God wants you to reach out to others living under oppression that they too may find victory that comes from surrendering their life to Christ. God has anointed you to renew people’s hope and to work for a nation that manifests God’s peace, righteousness, prosperity and justice. These are lacking in our nation right now.
Will you join God in doing a new thing in this year of starting afresh?
Lawrence Temfwe
