My dear friends
Some might think that I am old-fashioned and politically
incorrect but I just love the picture of the "shy Zulu bride". It is not as if I
have no appreciation whatsoever for the modern independent and assertive woman. Granted,
that has its place but I believe that there is something beautiful about a humble modest
woman.
We are told that Queen Elizabeth 11 (by the way, remember
her 80th birthday on 21 April) said something to the effect that in matters of the kingdom
she is the Queen but at home her husband, Prince Philip, is the head of the house. Well
said your Majesty!
How on earth did I get onto this topic?
My heart breaks when I see how people are missing out on one
of the most beautiful paths in life - the path of humility. It has been said that rivers
seek the lowest places. There is music to enjoy as rivers flow down towards the sea. There
is a symphony in the valley, and that is what the proud and haughty miss out on.
It is very unfortunate that the message our young people are
getting from their education philosophy and civil society is the very opposite of the path
of humility. They are encouraged to think highly of themselves and to fight for their
rights at every turn. No wonder that they despise humility and see it as a sign of
weakness, passivity and under-development. Yet I have found respectability, nobility and
authority amongst some of the humblest servants of God.
Watching how people try to impress others with their
knowledge, status or wealth can be a very painful process, especially if they are fakes.
In my life I have had a good share of those.
One day I was introduced to Mr M, a business tycoon from the
Eastern Cape. That day he was in his shorts and a small pickup was parked outside his
room. He quickly explained to me that although he looked casual his wardrobe at home was
packed with suits. The reason he had come in a pickup was because he had lent his Mercedes
Benz to a leading politician in his province. Mr M told us that he owned a string of
business for which he had to sign hundreds of cheques a day.
When Mr M was introduced to Mr Friedel Stegen, a man who has
been blessed richly spiritually and materially, Mr M said, "Mr Stegen, we are above
the breadline."
A little later, when some of my colleagues were in the
Eastern Cape they decided to look up Mr M. When they inquired at the shopping complex
where his businesses were supposed to be the people were baffled. The search for Mr M
proved to be a wild goose chase.
Oh, you might have heard about the international speaker,
Prof K, who landed in our vicinity. He was his own praise-singer.
Interestingly it was minor points that first raised eyebrows
about the authenticity of his resume. His table manners were not very impressive. His
language fell far short of the minimal standards expected from men of such high learning.
When he showed total disregard for other speakers' time allocation we knew that something
was definitely amiss.
What Prof K had hoped would not happen was for someone to
use modern technology to verify the claims on his curriculum vitae. That opened up a can
of worms.
What about that megalomaniac who styled himself as a foreign
diplomat and insisted that he be addressed as "His Excellency"?
One day there was drama at the Durban International Airport.
This man firmly believed that a plane that was about to take off had to be stopped because
"His Excellency" wanted to have a word with one of the passengers!
Even for those who are genuinely people of means, learning
or status there is no excuse for being puffed up.
Once in a midnight stopover at a Cape Verde airport I met a
man who turned out to be from a small town in Northern Zululand. He told me about a local
well-to-do businessman who was full of himself. When the leading men of the town
deliberated on issues affecting them this man just kept quiet until he was coaxed to
comment. He would then respond, "I find it very difficult to talk to people who have
no money."
Later, another rich man came into town and bought a stand
next to the first man's house. Before building his mansion the newcomer pointed at the
other man's house and inquired, "Who built that ablution block next to my
property?"
South Africa has just had municipal elections with all the
flowery promises of a fast delivery of services. On the other hand a key complaint from
Radio Khwezi listeners during phone-ins was the unavailability of elected officials
between elections.
A friend told me last year about a local councillor who was
approached by a delegation from the community about a matter that was important to them.
Beating his chest he asked, "You want to see me? Who on earth do you think you
are?"
They are the voters, Mr Councillor!
How can I forget the story our matric teacher told us about
one of the early Black academics? As this intellectual climbed the social ladder he
insulated himself from the community. When he died, neighbours instinctively knew that as
is the custom amongst our people they had to give support to his family but they were
terrified of getting near his house.
Churches should be nurseries for the seeds of humility but
unfortunately the enemy has another agenda for them.
Listening to public testimonies one sometimes wonders if the
objective is to give praise to God or to impress the audience. Some end up inventing
hair-raising stories to get more attention.
Why should I feel that my testimony causes no ripples
because I met Christ in my early teens? Should I then start fantasizing about boozing,
doing drugs and landing in jail to get a loud "Hallelujah" and "Wadla
Jesu" (Jesus wins!)?
At a conference that I attended a well-known preacher was a
speaker. In his introductory remarks he said, "I hear that Rev P addressed you
yesterday evening. Now, I discipled Rev P. I introduced him to the outside world."
Brother, what is the point?
You might also have heard about the popular minister from
overseas who sent back a luxury vehicle at the airport and told the delegation that had
come to meet him that as a child of the king he deserved the highest class of car
possible. Surprisingly, the delegation interpreted that as a show of great faith.
Did the brother forget that his Lord and Master had a royal
ride on a donkey?
Admittedly, the path of humility goes against the grain. By
nature we are proud people, which is why millions over the ages descend into hell despite
our Lord's blessed full plan of salvation for mankind.
How then shall we find and follow the path of humility and
enjoy the symphony in the valley? Christ walked it from the beginning to the very end. The
good news is that today still He invites us to walk it with Him, to learn from Him and to
have His mind.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
(Matthew 11:29)
"Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus,
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every
name:" (Philippians 2:5-9)
Have a blessed weekend!
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
