My dear friends
Most of my friends know that I am fascinated by lighthouses.
The symbolism of light-rays penetrating darkness and guiding ships to safety melts my
heart. So should the lives of the Master's followers be.
Another theme that is very close to my heart is fortresses.
A German friend, Manfred Ludwig, a great lover of history,
once gave me a gratis lecture on fortresses and castles. He took me for a tour of an
ancient fortress in the Limburg vicinity and bought me a book with beautiful pictures and
history of some fortresses and castles.
During numerous visits to Nuernberg one of the climaxes for
me was reaching the fortress at the top of the old part of the city. A prominent
Nuerberger and Bavarian, Onkel Andreas Schmoll, enjoyed taking us for walks through some
of the historical sights like the Albrecht Duerer Museum. Overlooking the museum and
majestic church buildings was the fortress which presented one with a breathtaking view.
Once on a Swiss visit a dear brother, Juerg Laederach,
kindly agreed to drive me to St Gallen to visit old friends, the Stehrenbergers. On the
way back we made a quick trip into the principality of Liechtenstein. We went through the
capital, Vaduz, and parked at a spot from which we had a lovely view of His Royal Highness
Prince Hans-Adams 11's castle. The castle dwarfs the houses of the prince's subjects which
it overlooks. It was a remarkable moment!
It's one thing to read about Masada, the desert fortress
that overlooks the Dead Sea in Israel; but how does one describe the feelings and
reflections one had as we walked around Masada and listened to it's captivating history of
engineering genius and tragic bravery in 74 AD. Someone told us that Israeli army officer
recruits are taken to Masada as part of their training. From there they get a clear vision
of what it takes to defend the nation. Their resolve is summed up in a few words - MASADA
NEVER AGAIN.
Back to Europe.
A song that meets with a loud echo within me is Dr Martin
Luther's 'Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott' (A mighty fortress is our God). Beyond the
physical protection Luther enjoyed in Wartburg Castle during one of the most dangerous
periods in his life, he had an experiential conviction that God can be trusted at all
times to grant us victory against the ultimate enemy of our souls - the devil.
"A mighty fortress is our God, a
bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our
striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle..."
Let me return to Africa. In fact what I'm sharing was
prompted by a lovely illustration used by Lindiwe Phungula during the programme 'Masiwe
ngedolo' (Let's fall on our knees). Her theme was 'The Lord is our fortress'.
Her reference to 'izimbila' (rock rabbits) reminded me of
Maluphonjwana, an enclave that forms part of a long cliff range a few hunded metres from
our Chibini home. That's where we'd see rock rabbits dash in and out of their abode in the
rocks.
Lindiwe told the listeners how safe the rock rabbits are in
their 'fortress'; and hunters know that. Hunters have devised a cunning strategy. They
send their dogs to the rocks where the rock rabbits hide. Of course, the dogs can't get
into the narrow caves used by the rock rabbits, but they keep barking at the entrance and
scare the little creatures to death. In desperation the rock rabbits decide to look for a
'safer' place. Unfortunately the opposite happens; the moment they leave the sanctuary of
their fortress they run into the dogs' waiting jaws!
The morale of the story was no matter what comes your way
NEVER leave the fortress. Earthly 'Masadas' might fail us but,
"A mighty fortress is our God, a
bulwark never failing..."
Have a blessed week.
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
