Proverb 14:34 says:
"Righteousness exalts (builds) a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people."
Roman 14:17 says: "For the Kingdom of God is.... righteousness, peace and the joy in the Holy Ghost.'
On the basis of the two scriptures above I want yo share with you, my dear reader, one important issue regarding your, (our) defining moments. You may wish to ask: what do I mean by defining moments? By this concept I mean those precious moments or opportunities which unfold before you (us), and which, if you (we) miss them they are gone irretrivably.They are moments so precious that once grabbed they have the potential to change the course of an entire nation, family, generations, and destinies (you may add the list ad infinitum!)
One thing thing about these opportunities is that they are rare, and rare indeed! However, they do exist. Propery seized they produce a long lasting reward. Just think of the moment a sinner who has no future and whose destiny is so uncertain receive the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ! He immediately become a son (child) within God's family, a heir with Christ, and he immediately become elevated to a quite different position- a position of being higher than angels! His future is secure and his destiny is sure! Why? Because he was able to grab one of his defining moments!
Think of that woman who met Jesus at Jacob's well (John 4:7-29). She was changed the very day from being a prostitute to becoming a preacher of Good news! Or think of Miriam (Lazarus sister) in John 12: 1-3. This was the only golden opportunity she had to anoint Jesus' feet by a precious gift of love! How many moments of similar nature have you (we) lost! Oh that we may be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit!
Have you ever imagined what would have happened to Bartimeus (the blind beggar in Mk.0:46-48) had he kept quiet after knowing that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by? This blind man was not so ignorant to be quelled down by others while he was so sure that this was the golden opportunity! And Lo! He seized it to the light!
Dear reader, as I sit down to ponder on all these things, I wonder how many opportunities are you (we) ready to let go just like that! Will you also loose the only one perhaps remaining ahead of you?
As salt amidist the tasteless world, we can change the course of things in our nations, businesses, schools, streets, (name them)just by being alert and sensitive to grab the unfolding defining moments in our lives.Many governments in different corners of the globe, and mostly in Africa, are plagued by corruption, misconduct, and all sorts of eveil. But so many time most of us have been given the opportunity to change the course of things only not to realise that that was the opportune time to do so! Some of us even fail to live up their true faith which is precious than gold and succumb to the 'business as usual class!' We must remember: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to many. It is shameful indeed that we have had a class of African elites for the past 50 or so years now but our people are living in a miserable life! The problem is that most of us do not recognise our defining moments. (This point I wont go far with it than here!)
Finally, I would like also to speak to your heart, especially for those of you who might not have made a decision to walk with God by having Christ as your personal saviour. You have had time to decided and you have kept on postponing your miracle. You are indeed running out of time if you won't make a decision to grab the open invitation that has been placed on you today! It is easy. You just repent, forsake your evil ways, invite Christ as your saviour and grab your reward of forgiveness and eternal life! Having done so...be a transformer of the world and no longer a mere conformer to the ways of the world! You will live up your defining momements with great success and without regrets!
Until then,
God bless you.
Your friend, Evangelist Deo John Nangela.
(ndewawiosia, Ndeamtzo, ndeshiwona, ngaendaku, Nangela. (May26th 2010. )
