My dear friends
South Africa is the land of my calling in more than one
sense.
In 1970 God visited my family in a special way. My parents
had sunk to lowest depths; in their marriage relationship and finances. Alcohol had ruined
my Dad's health. At about 40 years death knocked at his door. In their plight my parents
had exhausted the resources they knew, one inyanga (traditional healer, witchdoctor) after
another and numerous sacrifices to the ancestral spirits - all to no avail. In that dark
hour God intervened with His light and invited primarily Dad to turn his eyes and
allegiance to Him.
How do I begin to explain it? Even as Dad was wrestling with
the life and death decision I got excited on his behalf. I wanted him to give God a
chance. Much to my joy he did!
Without any pressure whatsoever I was the first one to
follow in Dad's footsteps. Looking back, I marvel to see how a decision at 13 years of age
would chart the course for the rest of my life. A decision for Him? Yes, but in fact I was
responding to His clear personal call. Indeed, He drew me to Himself.
The teens! In His eternal wisdom God got hold of me in the
explosive stage of my life. I was in my last year at Noodsberg Primary School. Appelsbosch
Secondary School beckoned already, followed by Dlangezwa High School and the University of
Natal.
My older brother, Moses, tells my children that I was a
rather hyperactive boy - and I believe him. With all the youthful zest and natural
destructive forces within my life without the Saviour would have been a disaster. His
restraining love saved me from many a pit.
One of the critical issues settled by God's early call to me
was the place of the traditional religion of my forefathers. As a family God called us out
of a life of belief in and communion with the spirits of our ancestors. He allowed tragic
experiences to prove to us the futility of putting our trust in our deceased family
members. A study of His Word showed us in what serious light He regards such practices.
Later, as I met with the refined and redefined African Traditional Religions (ATR) as
propagated by intellectuals I immediately saw through the camouflage. National sentiment,
political correctness and verbal gymnastics seek to cloud a clear Biblical view on this
matter but thankfully God's eternal Word stands.
You will know from my writings how much I admired my late
paternal and maternal grandfathers but I cannot extend their loving memory to anything
close to worship. Can God not do with their assistance on practical daily duties around
me? No. He is all-sufficient.
During serious thunderstorms I am reminded of the crippling
fear that gripped us before we met with the living God. We would take out the different
items the family inyanga had left us as ammunition against lightning strikes presumably
sent by our enemies. Thereafter we would freeze into one corner of the hut. Christ set us
free from the enslaving fear and enemy mentality. He taught us to trust Him in every
situation. He remains in control.
It must be distressing to go through life wondering what the
purpose of one's existence is. Meeting with God gave me the much needed perspective on why
we are here. Since then I have confirmed over and over again that the only reason I am in
this world is because of Him. My utmost joy and ultimate satisfaction are in being at
peace with Him.
God gave me an identity that has passed testing times. Being
His child, part of His worldwide family has brought me much excitement in my travels here
and abroad. It takes me no time to feel at home amongst God's children wherever they may
be. Yes, I love my biological family, in particular the Sibisis and the Jilas. It is with
much feeling that I salute His Majesty the King of the Zulus.
"Wena wendlovu!
Bayede!"
Zulu blood runs in my veins. Despite having enjoyed visits
to different countries I remain an African. But I must honestly declare that the bond
within God's family is even deeper. The song 'I love this family of God' melts my heart.
In critical situations I have stated publicly that I am in the first place a Christian,
then an African, a Zulu and a Sibisi.
As difficult as my call to the ministry was I have never
doubted that the Lord called me by my name. Since then it has been precious to know that I
had the privilege of discovering my Maker's specific plan for my life. He has led me to
various situations where I could freely share in song, testimony and from His Word. It
humbles me to see how God blesses our everyday interaction with people if we keep walking
with Him.
Since 1977 my base has been KwaSizabantu Mission from where
I have served in different capacities. No doubt, KwaSizabantu is on this earth with all
its human imperfections but I am not surprised that people have testified that it is the
nearest to a heavenly experience they can think of. Some have called it 'an island of
peace'. My personal observation is that wherever mere mortals open themselves up to God,
His Word and His working a piece of heaven comes down.
Of the different ministries in which I am privileged to
partake let me mention just one that is very close to my heart. My involvement with
Christians for Truth (CFT) since it's inception in 1990 has been very enriching indeed.
What is our Mission in CFT?
"To uphold and promote Christian norms
and values as stated by the Word of God"
And our Vision?
"A nation inspired to live according to
the highest Christian norms and values."
In the face of the general international downward trend in
morals some warn us that if we are serious about upholding and promoting Christian values
then we shall always be going against the stream. But is that not what being a live fish
is about?
One day just after the South African legislation allowing
abortion on demand had come into force in 1997 we went to Durban to express our
appreciation of life as a gift of God. We condemned abortion openly. As we stood in front
of the City Hall a cousin came by. When he gathered what our message was he burst out
laughing. As far as he was concerned the law had been passed already and nothing could be
done about that. Imagine where we would be today if Christians through the ages had
adopted that defeatist attitude!
As I have stated before, yes we do aim to influence
government decisions and public opinion by proclaiming Biblical truth on everyday issues
but the crux of the matter is the word of our testimony. We want to be on the side of the
Truth. We want to be on the Lord's side.
Is our vision over-optimistic? On the surface it might seem
so but there is an eternal realism in our view. We have the privilege of foreknowing what
the final scenario will be. We might be seen to be losing a skirmish here and there but
ultimate victory in this battle is ours. The Truth will prevail. Our Lord's kingdom will
outlast every human kingdom and remain from everlasting to everlasting. What a nation that
will be!
"The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." (Rev
11:15)
Have a blessed week further.
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
