So, I have heard of this saying about westerners who wish to take a trip to Africa. From what I can remember it goes something like this- There is an interesting paradox with those who desire to travel to Africa. Maybe they have saved their money, raised the funds and have told everyone they know. They have surely spent much time and effort genuinely dreaming a desiring to go. The paradoxical idea happens when you begin to think about how many people want to get out of Africa. Maybe not altogether, but certainly those facing extreme poverty, sickness, or famine want to not be in that situation.
I thought to myself how ironic that notion is, because I want to go to Africa. I want to go to the area that is hurting, and clinging for a marginal existence. I want to spend my effort and time making this dream come true. But for what? Should I not just send money instead? Or write it off as useless striving after the wind? (Especially give the enormity of the issues).
Then I heard Simeon, an electrifyingly faithful and ambitious Ugandan. He is the type of person you meet for five minutes and feel that you've known your whole life. Simon has been visiting my church and during a recent meeting he challenged our church with a message stating, "we can get through our difficult times when we turn to God, and become rooted in Him".
Now, this might not seam earth shattering or revolutionary, but it was for me, and it should be for you too! Remember, Simeon is visiting us from Uganda. You know, the place were terrible atrocities have been taking place. A place were a twisted and manic army kidnaps children for recruitment as killing machines, and forces young girls to become wives of army leaders. That is the place he is coming from. We struggle to understand what we have not experienced.
There is nothing like our church in regards to accommodations or luxuries that he has seen or has access to. When he prays his knees bear witness to the red earth below. Yet, Simeon is still encouraging the group of us; even as we are sitting in the plush seats, under the incandescent sea above, and velvety carpet below. He is saying that we can get through the hard times with God. What incredible humility! What a perspective test! How can he be saying this to us when we have everything we need around us?
Compared with many Americans, Simeon does not have much to offer, and perhaps on the surface, even less to give. But he has his finger on the pulse that is innate in all those whom breath in and out. We are broken.
The "things" that surround us do not determine who we are or our happiness. The fact is, we all have fallen short of God. We all have been separated from Him. Some are eternally separated, and some are separated on different levels or to different degrees, but we are broken.
Simeon then challenged us with a story about allowing the hard times in life to establish roots into the ground. The kind of roots that anchor a huge tree, keeping it from being moved by storms.
You see, "there will be storms" Simeon said, but those who have taken the time to feed their "roots" by God's word, and have allowed their faith to grow deep will not be swept away by the storms of life. When they come we can stand firm.
Whether we are in an IDP camp displaced in Gulu Uganda, or a world away in the comfort of affluence and amenity the storm will come. Do you have roots?
Names have been changed
