My dear friends
This is indeed a special time for those of us who know and
love our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. As we try to understand and express what the
Cross means to us our limited human minds freeze and words fail us!
"The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song..."
Easter is a story of life conquering death.
Easter is a story of light conquering darkness.
Easter is a story of hope conquering despair.
Easter is a story of truth conquering lies.
Easter is a story of new beginnings.
Let me share with you a family experience from thirty five years ago that came alive again
this Easter time.
It was just after the Lord had intervened in our family's
plight in 1970. Dad had accepted Christ's invitation to entrust Him with his life. It was
a turning point for Dad and the family.
The Lord raised Dad from his sickbed and that gave us a new
hope. Those who knew Dad as a trusted taxi-owner lamented the catastrophic events that
left him bankrupt, carless and cashless. I was literally born in Dad's car and I had never
known him without one, so my young heart was sore about the situation.
Then came Easter 1970 and an invitation to the
newly-established KwaSizabantu Mission. The man God used to bring the Good News to our
family, Mr Heino Stegen, invited Dad to come along. In fact, he asked Dad to drive one of
his vehicles to transport a group of people to and from KwaSizabantu. The mere thought of
Dad driving again melted my heart!
It was indeed a new beginning.
Onkel Heino prayerfully assisted Dad to acquire a car to
resume his taxi service. In His grace God blessed that car in a special way. Dad was able
to settle his debts and move on to the retailing business.
In 1982 my older brother, Moses, and I accompanied Dad when
he went to fetch two brand new vehicles for his business. We sang praises to our great
Provider!
As much as we thank God for the new beginning in family
finances we are forever indebted to Him for granting Dad another opportunity to direct us
to the firm foundation - the Rock of Ages.
'He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."' (Revelation 21:5)
Have a blessed Easter weekend.
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
