ARE YOU BEING LIGHT?

In recent years, we the citizens of South Africa, had on numerous occasions been plunged in total darkness - first, the darkness fell unexpectedly, and we were left in total confusion, with meals half-cooked, visiting with friends or family and suddenly finding ourselves in total blackness, unable to see each other or proceed with whatever task or activity we were engaged in.

We came to name this darkness "load shedding". Later, the darkness became a normal part of everyday life to the extent that official schedules were published to "enlighten" us as to when we could expect this temporary darkness, normally for two hours at a time!

This inconvenient disrupting of  our lives were as a result of the inefficiency and inadequacy of our electricity supplier. In other words, it was not the fault of every citizen in the country, but practically every citizen in the country, except those is distant rural areas, who had to make do without electricity anyway, were impacted by load shedding.

At present our country is experiencing a different kind of "load shedding"; a different kind of darkness. The difference being that this seems to be of a more permanent and damaging nature.

It does not matter what your religious beliefs are, or what your political leanings may be, or your cultural background, we are all suffering from this temporary darkness which engulfs our nation: the turmoil, corruption, dysfunction and dissention within our Government and the absolute anarchy of students who claim the privilege of tertiary education as their right and who not only demand the right thereto but also demand to be given it free of charge! What rebellion! What arrogance!

This does not bode well for our country's future. Corruption and crime are so rife as to have become the norm of the day!

What a pity!
What a shame!
What a disgrace to our country and to every upright citizen of our beautiful land!

What a shocking reality that the person who is supposed to lead our diverse nation, is causing our country to be the laughing stock of the world and is reducing our economy to rubbish status by the ridiculous decisions and attacks on those who are trying to uphold the morality and ethics in our land. What an absolute unacceptable reality that he refuses to see the error of his ways, acts like a aging demented monarch, and refuses to make way for someone more capable to take his place! What a shame that a faction of the ruling party still cover for him and uphold his position within the party and government with seemingly no regard to the damage to our country's economy.

What a sin that murders are committed in our country everyday. That we are killing one another whether in passion or premeditated. And the murders are not necessarily committed by strangers, but by those who are supposed to be our nearest and dearest!

Who can forget the wonderful, glorious time when this nation unanimously voted for a democratic land and government? And I think if records be disclosed, that day also depicted a marked reduction in crime of whatsoever kind. We were too busy being one; being a nation!

Who will ever forget the day when in 1995 Madiba donned the Springbok Rugby jersey and walked onto the field to congratulate our national rugby team who had just been the victors in the Rugby World Cup competition and this nation stood tall and revelled in the glory of our national heroes and our unity?

We spread light and glory to all the rest of the world.

But there came a time when our not so famous current President took it upon himself to proclaim and declare that the ruling party would reign until the day that Jesus, the Christ, returned!

What presumption!

How could any appointed leader of the elected ruling party make such a grievous mistake in his representation of our nation as to challenge the Almighty God?

However, as we have since found out: God is not challenged. This was clearly shown by the outcome of the recent municipal elections when the ones who would 'reign until the return of Christ' lost all the big metropolitan cities and became a rural party! What a shame! What a turnabout!

We are called to be light in this world. We are called to be the salt of the earth. Salt is used in changing from negative to positive, to cleanse, act as an disinfectant for wounds, to stay colours in the process of dyeing, to keep a rational balance in the brain, to give taste to food, to bring out the taste of the other ingredients, in other words, to be a positive element and influence all around.

When salt, however, is used to build roads and loses its saltiness, it becomes something to be trampled on - and useless for all other purposes.

Even if it would seem that we cannot expect such behaviour and influence from some of our rulers, we can, each one of us individually and as a nation, live lives that will show the rest of the world that there are also positive aspects to our beloved country; that we do have heroes - think of Wayde van  Niekerk's glorious feats in the recent Olympics; think of all the medals brought home by our paralympic and Down Syndrome athletes! Wow! Wasn't that something? Think of the upright standing and righteous ways of  our Thuli Madonsela! What a woman! Voted one of the most influencial people in the world: not because of her riches and possessions but because of her righteousness! Our Paralympic athletes may be physically handicapped, but their spirits are whole and buoyant! Remember what amazing goals they were able to achieve notwithstanding their physical handicaps! Consider what extra effort it took for them to do so!

Remember every deed of kindness towards yourself just during the past month! Remember the ones who served you with a smile during the week! Remember every helping hand along your way. Remember that we are one of the countries to enjoy the most sunfilled days. Remember our unique flora! Remember our big five! Remember our glorious beaches! Remember that we are a nation worshipping God Almighty! Remember that God blesses those who honour and worship Him! Remember Madiba's dream for our country!

Come on South Africans! Let us not be useless; let us not lose our saltiness and lie down and let our country be trampled on. Let us rally, shine and overcome the spiritual load shedding that seems to have pervaded our government and country in part. Let us not lack a sense of responsibility, let us not allow our minds and spirits to be corrupted. Let us be  light in this darkness! Darkness cannot prevail against light!

Each ons of us can achieve this, and many already are! Think about the organizations that go about speading good cheer in our communities; providing warmth and food and medical care. Our national rugby team may not be the number one in the world right now, but I know that some of them give of their time and efforts to share their skills with the unskilled and underprivileged and to act as role models in character for those who have no other role models to emulate in their lives. I was proud watching them each leading a  handicapped child onto the field  when they played against the Barbarians at Wembley over the weekend!

Matt: 5: 13-14 :

                       "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can
                       it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be
                       thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city
                       on a hill cannot be hidden, neither do people light a lamp and put it under
                       a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the
                       house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see
                       your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)

Mr President, I am sure you understand that your life, actions and decisions are viewed by all in the world. Are you being light or are your actions declaring that you have lost your "saltiness"?

Let's go South Africa! Let's once again show the spirit of 1995! Let's show the Spirit of the Word and show the world that we can and will overcome our present difficulties and once again spread light and be a role model in the world.

Thank You, Lord, that Your Word declares that we are to be salt and light to this world that we occupy. Please help us to be the salt and light that You intended us to be.