Be reconciled to God!

I'm sitting in my bedroom, enjoying the exquisite Cape Town summer weather coming through my window. Everything seems to have slowed down today, even the southeasterly wind which is my nemesis every time I set out on a bicycle. It's December 16, the Day of Reconciliation.

Now I realize I'm getting a little predictable in marking these high days and holidays, but 'tis the season to do that, and we often let these days go by without thinking of their beautiful meanings. Among other things, today is my parents' wedding anniversary. Back when they were married, it was the Day of the Vow, and they joked that theirs was the Vow of the Day. The fact that it's the Day of Reconciliation doesn't mean that there is too much reconciliation needed between them, thank the Lord.

But a much bigger reconciliation is needed, I've been realizing recently: a reconciliation between the people of South Africa and God. Anyone with a head for the news can see the many ways we've rebelled against him. God gave us a peaceful transition to democracy which was nothing short of miraculous (anyone doubting that should pick up A Witness For Ever by Michael Cassidy for a good read of the incredible things that happened behind the scenes in the negotiations leading up to 1994). Yet since then we've turned our backs on him in just about every way possible. I was watching a documentary yesterday called Behind the Rainbow, tracing the history of the ANC from the 1950s up to the divisive Polokwane conference last year, and the overwhelming sense one got was of a nation that, in the words of the narrator, had "lost its innocence".

One thing that shows this incredibly starkly is our collective attitude towards our neighbour, Zimbabwe. Last week I was reading the obscure minor prophet Obadiah, who prophesied doom over Edom because of their actions towards their neighbours Israel, and I was mortified to see how many of God's judgments against them could be levelled at us:

"You deserted your relatives in Israel [Zimbabwe] during their time of greatest need. You stood aloof, refusing to lift a finger to help when foreign invaders [or a tyrannical government] carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem [or their farmland]... You shouldn't have done this! You shouldn't have gloated when they exiled your relatives [from Zimbabwe] to distant lands... You shouldn't have stood at the crossroads, killing those who tried to escape. You shouldn't have captured the survivors, handing them over to their enemies [the Zimbabwean authorities] in that terrible time of trouble." (Obadiah 11-14)

It's scandalous. South Africans have done all these things. I can only conclude that we're under God's judgment in a terrible way unless we repent and reconcile with God.

But there's hope. In Ezekiel 22:30, God speaks about looking for someone who would rebuild a symbolic wall of righteousness guarding Israel, someone who would stand in the gap in the wall so he would not have to destroy the land. I know that God has many people in this country who are willing to stand in the gaps of our wall of righteousness.

I'm glad to report that many South Africans are doing that, working against all that's been done to Zim. We've heard the calls from various important people for the government to step up pressure on the Zanu-PF rulers of Zim, and the even more strident calls for Mugabe to be removed entirely. And on the ground, I've just personally collected over R3 200 in donations to take up to a needy orphanage and clinic in the country when I go up there this week for the wedding of Jono and Kath, two of my friends. Add that to the over R6 000 and 51kg of goods my friend Ros has collected, and we're going to be bringing some significant help to those who need it. People have been amazingly generous. And this tide of Christmas goodwill is catching on across the country, as the body of Christ finds ways to channel supplies to people in Zim.

According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, we are Christ's ambassadors in this country. We need to be urging people to be reconciled to him after all the sins we've done, against God, our neighbours and our compatriots. May God please show us how to do this.
Please pray for my friends and me as we make our way over to Zimbabwe, for favour with the border officials and safety. But even more importantly, pray for our country, that the hope of "God and sinners reconciled" would prove true for all of us this Christmas.