The need for a guide
The words which John quoted from the bible troubled him. He remembered the words 'for the living know that they will die' but he couldn't remember the rest of the verse. He had a little data time on his phone, so he Googled the words and found that they came from Ecclesiastes 9:5. The words came up on his phone:
'for the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten' 3.
The words were easy to understand, but what was he to do with them? He would have to change his whole way of thinking. What would Zethu think? What would her family think? What would his people think? Sipho suddenly awoke to the sound of the family getting ready for the new day, he looked at his watch, it was nearly 5.30am! He would be late for work ... kissing Zethu and the kids goodbye, he rushed out of the house and ran all the way to the bus stop. He managed to scramble onto the bus just as it was pulling away.
THE LONGEST DAY
He saw John at the back of the bus. But as there were no seats he had to stand in the isle - all the way to town! It was the longest trip ever. He was tired, he was irritated ... and what was worse is that he wanted so desperately to speak to John, but couldn't. That afternoon after work, he waited at the bus rank in town for John. As a friend he wanted to tell him face-to-face that he no longer wanted him to talk to him about the bible. He could not betray who he was. He was born an African, and he would remain an African. Never mind what the bible said, he would continue to worship and pray to his ancestors. Even if John did not understand his feelings, God would! It was dark and the bus station was teaming with people trying to get home from the busy day at work. In the distance, through the hazy crowd he saw John coming towards him. Just then he heard the sounds of gun shots. Bullets were flying all over the place. People were screaming and rushing for cover. Sipho froze. He couldn't seem to move. Everything in his world seemed to be happening in slow motion. The sounds of the screaming started to fade. The street lights and head lights began to swirl. Slowly he lost consciousness as a single bullet ripped through his lungs. The last thing he felt was his body crumpling and his head hitting the cold pavement.
Suddenly Sipho's world went completely dark. By the time the air had cleared, and a sense of street normality began to take shape. John ran over to Sipho. He tried desperately to revive his friend. He held his body tight against his as he cried to God for help. But it was too late. Sipho was dead. For Sipho, it was too late to learn about the great God of the universe, the God of all creation. The God and Father of Jesus Christ. The God that gives life and breath to every living creature. The God that gives life. The God that takes life.
“Jehovah kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up”10.
There is hope beyond the grave for all those who follow the teachings of Jesus - “in spirit and in truth”11.
We are thankful that you have the chosen to learn more about God's plan for you.
Welcome to God's Master Plan!
Bible References:
1. Psalm 49:20
2. Psalm 46:3-4
3. Ecclesiastes 9:5
4. John 3:13
5. Acts 2:34
6. Psal 2:6
7. Revelation 9:20
8. Hebrews 10:12
9. Acts 8:12
10. 1 Samuel 2:6
11. John 4:24