As a well-travelled person, I am fascinated by how society gathers together after devastations such as floods, wars, tsunamis, earthquakes, and the like to refine their identity, purpose and safety again.
“Those that sow in tears will reap in joy” — Psalm 126:5
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Change is a universal experience. In South Africa, the transformation and change we are currently undergoing is critical for new growth and a healthier future.
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It comes in many forms. Buildings crumble, seasons change, eras come to an end, people pass on from this world, and relationships shift. Sometimes the modification is intentional, sometimes it is unexplainable, sometimes anticipated and sometimes unfathomable.
What do we do when something beautiful and sacred is demolished? How can we rebuild a destroyed relationship or broken heart? How can we learn to dance again after we have cried such shattered tears? How do we rebuild from the ruins? The news seems to be a daily report of tragic events. At times it appears as if we are in a war, for the onslaught is so intense.
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We must get up from this destruction
We stand now in a period of sadness and ruin. Yet we must get up from this destruction. We are ordered to build anew! Isaiah 61 makes reference to a calling of those who are anointed to be the re-builders of the ancient ruins, they will be the ones who will raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. It’s in these circumstances that the true sons of God come alive.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon us to speak and preach to those whose hearts are broken and afflicted, to bind up and heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the physical and spiritual captives and the opening of the prison doors and of the eyes of those who are bound.
If we stop and consider just how broken some of us are, we see that even our ability to believe in the Lord is thwarted. It takes one who has walked the road to reach out to another and say: “God will not leave you nor forsake you. He hears your midnight tears and will turn them into tears of joy.”
The comfort of the Lord
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. Where we stand before folk whose lives are devastated by being sidelined and it’s only the comfort of the Lord that can bring them the promise of inclusion and promotion tomorrow.
For the truth of the Holy Spirit to enter where the problem occurred. For humility to enter where pride blinded us from rebuilding.
To see the Big picture of our lives — for the Lord to grant us an ability to stand upright and in right standing with the Lord
That we might rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
Work in community in order that the Lord might be glorified. Where devastation continues from generation to generation it’s only the Holy Spirit that can put an end to that curse and bring life and love.
Finally, it’s a strength to see that we have a strength to reach out to others and be like those on the walls of Nehemiah and help rebuild in record time with hearts on fire for the Lord. It will be said of South Africa that surely the Lord is with us and it is only by His grace that it can be done.
Build together, build with each other’s strength’s lean into the Lord, share the goodness of the Lord.
