Hearing the Whispers of God in the Marketplace.
| Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians3:23) |
Our society is full of socio-economic, health, and personal problems. It is a society that appears to be without hope and without answers. Hardship and hopelessness know no age, race or gender.
However, the Scriptures are full of such episodes of hopelessness, injustice and evil subduing the innocent, marginalized and at times, the entire nation. In every account, God reveals Himself as a God who is on the side of the oppressed. In His quest to intervene God looks for a man who can stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and usually escape our understanding.
For life to prevail, and seen to be in Christ Jesus, God calls us to die to self!
To be forgiven, God calls us to forgive!
To be blessed, we bless!
To receive, we are commanded to give!
Oh what a paradox!!!
No wonder we feel so helpless and weary. We pray for blessings, forgiveness, good and healthy life and so on, whilst there is a way which God has already prescribed.
In Colossians 3:23 Paul directs our actions, intentions and lifestyles towards God's service. This might appear demanding and at times heavy, especially to those who feel they have nothing to give, but everything to receive from God. This is Good News, no need to feel heavily-laden. Paul is reminding and showing us the way to receive the blessings, the peace, the life, and justice we are seeking.
Our intellect cannot comprehend death as a path to life. Hence, most of us within Christianity find this calling unattractive. It's a whisper our natural ears can't hear, and our natural minds can't process. The call is to give, and be given. Forgive, and be forgiven! A consumerist society like ours cannot accept these kinds of principle. Since our natural senses cannot comprehend this, a spiritual sense is needed to engage with the ways and voice of God.
It's a call to meditation, obedience and being Spirit led. It is a call to hear the whispers of God in the marketplace, where society least expects it, as we work with all our heart, not for human approval, but ultimately in serving and honoring the Lord.
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Nelson is married to Akile and is serving at the the St Peter's Uniting Presbyterian church Tembisa - Highveld Presbytery. A simple guy who loves Jesus and his people. In my private time, I do anything adventurous or in nature, and enjoy a cup coffee.
