My dear friends
From my many friends in Europe I learnt and got a liking for
'Adieu' as an alternative for 'Good bye'. Despite my virtually non-existent knowledge of
Latin my sense tells me that the original meaning must have had to do with commending the
other person to God. These days my thoughts dwelt on this idea.
But what triggered it all? As usual - music.
You most probably have experienced too how empty and dry
some music pieces are. They are definitely not an answer for a soul that is plagued by
'umzwangedwa' - literally 'something you alone feel', usually some kind of loneliness.
It has been said that amidst the excitement of Christmastime
some people feel even more lonely than before. The sense of loss of loved ones,
possessions or direction in life gets more acute. Where does one take such heaviness of
heart?
Bizarre as it might sound, I have heard stories of crushed
souls who use the cover of darkness to march to graves with guitars to sound melancholic
tones in the hope of finding relief.
Some droop their heads under the weeping willow-tree as they
brood over their misfortunes.
Waterfalls have seen many a heartbroken soul let down a
torrent of tears. From there some plunge themselves into death - and the eternal abyss.
It is a well-known fact in this part of the world that many
shebeen patrons down strong drink in the hope of drowning their misery. Sad episodes are
recounted repeatedly between songs and sobs.
Unfortunately most cries of 'umzwangedwa' are merely
emptiness directed at emptiness. And tragically a lot of music is just that.
It was at this point that 'A Dieu' got impressed on my mind;
if we genuinely want a sure cure for our sick souls there is only one worthy direction to
go - TO GOD.
My thoughts went back to the late 90s where I had the
privilege of addressing the KwaZulu-Natal Prayer Breakfast assembly. I challenged
political leaders who in their zeal have asserted that they would even be prepared to talk
to the devil if that would help their people. My response to that was, "Why go to the
devil? Go to God!"
Since I got to know Georg Friedrich Haendel's
"Messiah" in the 70s I cannot get enough of it. It is interesting to note how
different pieces take turns to highlight various facets about our Lord and Saviour. These
days my heart was melted by Christ's invitation,
" Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
As I imagined some of the burdens people carry it was as if
I could ask, "Lord, do you really want to take all that upon yourself?" Our
finite minds will never fully understand why for over two thousand years Christ's arms are
stretched towards the world, inviting sin-sick, broken and weary souls to Himself.
Why go anywhere else? Let's go to God. A Dieu!
Have a blessed weekend!
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
