Why do you leave me hanging?
By Job Bolier (missionary worker)
I recently visited Maria, one of the most faithful attendees of my Bible class. Usually, her partner Mpho stays in the background, but this time he actually sat with us. Mpho started attending the Bible class just before my departure to the Netherlands, but since my return I haven't seen him there. Naturally, I invited him again. But no, he had set a challenge for himself. He was going to show God that he didn't just go to class when he was unemployed and had nothing better to do. “This time I’m going to prove that I can follow Jesus even when things are going well.” But to do that, he needed to have a job first, and so he was busy trying to find one.
Filthy Rags
Well, that struck a nerve. “So,” I asked, “you want to impress God?” Yes, that was basically what he meant. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Maria’s sad expression. I tried to explain Isaiah 64:6 to him. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Everything, Mpho. Even our best work cannot please God. He sat on the edge of the couch and looked at me expectantly. I stood up. “That’s all for today. Goodbye.” Confused, he called after me, “Why do you leave me hanging?”
Where is the word of forgiveness?
She looked at me in bewilderment
A little while later, during Bible class we discussed David, after he fell into sin. Despising God’s Word, adultery, murder, lies, and deceit… The previous time it was about 2 Samuel 11; this time we discussed chapter 12. Nathan is being sent to David with God’s message. Here, too, the visitors sat on the edge of their seats. Busisiwe visibly followed me, from verse to verse, expectantly... After verse 12, I closed my Bible. “Amen.” She looked at me in bewilderment. “Why are you stopping now…?”
Where is the word of forgiveness?
Cliffhanger
One thing is certain: the Gospel must be proclaimed. And it has been proclaimed. For more than four years now, I have been allowed to walk through these townships. But sometimes I get the feeling that people are not listening, precisely because the word of forgiveness follows so quickly. A moment of discomfort, a moment of guilt, and thankfully: there is forgiveness. That Thou mayest be feared? Or so that we may go on in peace?
This time, things went differently. In English, they call it a cliffhanger. The story stops suddenly. No resolution. No conclusion.
“Why do you leave me hanging?” Mpho had asked.
No problem, I thought. Just hang there for a while. I even hope it will leave you hanging. Hang there until your own arms give out and you start crying out to the Lord, begging Him to catch you and have mercy on you. Of course, I cannot let go of all of this. But I feel that sometimes I have to very consciously take a step back, with the prayer that the Lord Himself will intervene!
