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Apostle Pride Sibiya
THIS spring season and the setting in of summer bring back the glow, blossoming and blooming of the beauty of our flora that the extreme winter temperatures, low water tables had eroded away from our sight.
We are beginning to see the jacaranda trees become beautiful again. I am particularly waiting for the blooming of the flamboyant trees soon. Summer is always welcome, in this part of Africa.
Welcome to summer, Zimbabwe. We thank God with all of this!
As the plant world begins to come back to life, the recent pronouncements by the Head of State and Government, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa of yet another untightening of the strict lockdown regulations could not have come at a better time.
We are grateful for such a move, in as much as we are also grateful for the bold decision to stop the free-flow of human and material baggage in the last few months, in our nation.
We all know that this was meant to protect the populace from the adverse effects of the Covid-19 scourge.
Great though this may be, the good decision has also left the Church in a state of panic where they announced the return to services, only to realise that many of their congregants did not resume regular attendance.
David Sharp writing in an article, “Millions skipped Church during pandemic: Will they return?” notes that many Churches may not make it if no effort is made to strengthen the Churches.
This is the other factual side, yet with the Lord’s grace and some work, the Church is ready to become more powerful, though with some bruises.
It is critical to know that the advent of numerous pandemics was prophesied about in the Bible and should not be a shocker to the world and especially to those of the faith (Luke 21:11; Revelation 6:8).
These events are part of the signs of “the last days,” also referred to as “the conclusion of the system of things.” – 2 Timothy 3:1; Matthew 24:3.
While the effects of the pandemics will never be celebrated, we can at least find joy in the fact that God is truthful and faithful to His Word. I do not wish for more pandemics, but according to Biblical prophecy, it seems we have just begun the race. In line with this, the old adage goes, “things never become easier, it is you who becomes stronger!”
That is the attitude we should carry as people of faith. “What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” the apostle Paul asks the Roman believers, rhetorically? His summarised answer is an emphatic, “nothing.”(Romans 8: 35-39).
The call is clear here: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
This particular 2021 Spring-time is not just a physical spring, it is also a spiritual one. This is the time for the Church to blossom again. But does this just happen?
This will not just happen. We need God’s grace. That we have on us. We will also need to make use of that grace by labouring to restore the Church.
For starters, as a believer, never be in the habit of missing Church or getting calls to follow-up on you. Just start going to Church in much the same way you have restarted schooling, trading or working.
The latter is necessary for our well-being physically but the former is even more critical for the spirit which is eternal.
Let us not just fight to have three meals a day on our table yet forsake our own spiritual beings, many of which feed only once a week anyway.
The Pastor is primarily a shepherd, and must thus check on his flock. A call, a visit, under strict adherence to Covid-19 regulations will move mountains on behalf of your absentee members.
We should never forget to encourage our members to be vaccinated and to adhere to the necessary regulations. The cell groups must up their game and fully engage with their members.
A call should be made as well for churches to move to the online way of doing church. Ministers should innovate and start taking church to the people not just calling them to church. Maybe, small revival meetings too?
As we embark on attempting a conclusion on this writing let me give you another imagery. Last wee, I had one of my friends rush to have his vehicle serviced. He had stopped servicing his car because of many pressures that came with the opening of schools and the fees associated and many others.
On his way for a very crucial meeting at work, the car simply “rebelled” and went off in the middle of a busy highway. This, off course invited a few shouts from passers-by who were not amused by how his break-down car caused a traffic lock-up.
This could have been avoided by a simple service. That is what happens when you do not go for services. From today’s Sabbath to tomorrow’s Lord’s day, I call on all our readers to go to church for a service. If you forsake “servicing” your spirit, it will quit on you one day at the most critical moment.
Finally, great readers, in the words of our great Lord and Saviour, “upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Well-known for the Tiyambuke Conferences, Apostle Pride Sibiya is a Zimbabwean marriage and relationship counsellor. He is also the visionary and President of Glory Ministries.
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