Submitted by Lyn on Fri, 31/08/2012 – 12:48
Bible Book: 2 Peter / 2 Petrus
Chapter: 1
Verse: 3 – 8
Last week friends of ours were in Nyanga from Friday to Sunday. It was not for holiday, but to serve at Nyanga District Hospital. A team of six doctors were among a group of 80 people who gave away the comfort of their beds, resisted the instant pleasure of their golf kits, their lure of their businesses and leisure to go and serve the people in hospital. Forty operations were conducted, window panes repaired, they bought medication for those who could not afford it, they slashed grass, scrubbed walls and floors, sang praises to God and prayed with the sick as they pushed trolleys from wards to theatre and back. As they related their story one could see glowing faces, evidence of how much more blessed it is to give than to receive!
It was once again clearly impressed on my mind that truly “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the full knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3 ISV) If the Church stood united, the world would be transformed without marches and strikes, without a single gunshot fired, but with love overflowing, even to the enemy. Imagine with me for while what difference it would make if just 300 of all professing Christian doctors (out of 1123 on register) gave of themselves just once a year in such a fashion; that would mean all 44 district hospitals around the country can be served in one weekend!
If all the people who claim to be followers of Christ became the “good neighbour”, and in that one weekend sacrificed a dollar towards medical services, there would be in excess of 1million dollars left with the “inn keeper” to care for the “man beaten up by thieves”. Too simplistic? Maybe, yet that’s exactly how simple and yet incredibly life changing God’s miracles happen.
It’s a matter of faith, that if acted upon, we will all know God in His fullness:
“… he (God) has given us his precious and wonderful promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, seeing that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, you must make every effort to supplement your faith with moral character, your moral character with knowledge, your knowledge with self-control, your self-control with endurance, your endurance with godliness, your godliness with brotherly kindness, and your brotherly kindness with love. For if you possess these qualities, and if they continue to increase among you, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. (2 Peter 1:4-8)
“A little leaven makes a change in all the mass..”(Gal 5:9) so be therefore encouraged, “…Not to grow weary while we are doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to who are of the household of faith.” (Gal 6:9-10)
To think about: How can your community be the ‘good neighbour’ in practical ways?
Written by: Leonard T Makoni, Scripture Union, Zimbabwe
Author: Makoni L. (Mr)
Language: English