Sining in a strange land
By Marieke Bakker (field worker)
“Is this life not a burden? If it isn’t a burden, it isn’t a sojourning in a strange land. If your sojourning in a strange land isn't a burden for you, you do not yet love your heavenly homeland enough.” – Augustine
I read this quote when I'd just returned to South Africa, after a month's furlough in the Netherlands. I'm dreading getting back to work. I'd much rather curl up in a corner and read books in peace. But duty calls, and I have to, or rather, I may get back to work. Back into the township of Hammanskraal. Back into the struggle.
foreigner
I read this quote when I'd just returned to South Africa, after a month's furlough in the Netherlands. I'm dreading getting back to work. I'd much rather curl up in a corner and read books in peace. But duty calls, and I have to, or rather, I may get back to work. Back into the township of Hammanskraal. Back into the struggle.
Augustine admonishes me, “But all who live in Babylon in a faithful manner, by not imitating its swollen pride, its passing glory, and hateful boasting… God does not permit them to perish in Babylon. For He has destined them to be inhabitants of Jerusalem. He therefore points them to another city; but they must truly long for it, strive for it with all their might, and whatever the cost, persuade those who dwell with them in exile to desire it as well.”
Confusion
Augustine refers to Babylon as ‘confusion.’ We see this confusion around us every day. By nature, I seek a comfortable life in Babylon and don't long for Jerusalem, the city of peace. Time after time, I have to learn that I must not live for this world, that we are just passing through as pilgrims. And this year again, if the Lord grants it, I may work. In Babylon. Not as a resident, but as a stranger.
song of praise
Raising psalms along the way,. Singing in a strange land. God Who inhabits the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3). When I look around me, I hear laments. But when God's Spirit allows us to look up, it turns into a song of praise. His Kingdom shall come. Also in this coming year, through all the impossibilities. God's children don't meet the enemy with weapons, but with a song of praise.
2 Chronicles 20: 20-22
“And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”
