Let the Remarkable Become Routine

Bible passage: Luke 5:18-26
“18. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

These days, I am experiencing joy and happiness. Even though I stayed in Korea for two weeks due to the summer retreat in Seoul, I was happy knowing that I had people waiting for me back home with unchanged love, even from afar. 

Even after returning to Nairobi, looking back at the summer retreat, the grace and inspiration still feel vividly alive. Today’s scripture is about Moses meeting God on Mount Horeb and undergoing a transformation. Moses was born as the son of Israelites enslaved in Egypt. At just three months old, he was placed in a basket and sent down the Nile River, but was miraculously rescued by the Egyptian princess and raised as a prince in the royal palace. When Moses realized he was an Israelite, he killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was oppressing his people. 

As a result, he became a fugitive and fled to the wilderness of Midian. There, he lived as a shepherd, spending 40 years in what seemed like meaningless days. But one day, while leading his flock up Mount Horeb, Moses encountered God in a burning bush, and his life changed. He would go on to become the great leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. For Moses, Mount Horeb could be considered his summer retreat. As we reflect on how Moses met God at his "Mount Horeb retreat" and was transformed, I hope to share the grace and power received during this summer retreat.

 1. The Grace Received from the Summer Retreat is the “Presence of God.” Moses, adopted by the Egyptian princess and raised in the royal palace, fled to the wilderness of Midian after killing the Egyptian taskmaster. There, for 40 years, he lived a lowly life as a shepherd, which at the time was considered a humble profession. If we were suddenly placed in such an unfamiliar environment, it would be difficult to adjust, and the discomfort and suffering would be severe. Especially for Moses, who had enjoyed every privilege as a prince, living as a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian must have felt like unbearable suffering. How much conflict and wandering would he have experienced during those years? Though he was one of God’s people, Moses had never truly met God. He only knew of God through rumors and believed in Him theoretically. 

Moses, trying to escape his monotonous routine, took his flock far into the wilderness to Mount Horeb, where he met God in the burning bush. Exodus 3:2 says, “The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.” The God Moses had only heard of appeared to him personally. God’s presence on Mount Horeb changed Moses' life forever. There is a book titled ‘The Practice of the Presence of God’, written by a man known as Brother Lawrence. He lived in the 17th century and was an ordinary man who worked in a monastery kitchen. 

But even in the boring tasks of kitchen life, he deeply yearned for God’s presence and experienced it abundantly. His book teaches us that Christian life should be lived in constant awareness of 2 God’s presence. Why should we live in constant awareness of God’s presence in our everyday lives? Because the Lord said this, in Matthew 28:20, the very end of the age.” “ …... I am with you always, even to Do you know what a stuffed tiger is? A stuffed tiger may strike a fierce pose, as if ready to pounce, but it’s dead. We must not have a dead faith but a living faith that seeks the living God - a faith as vibrant as a living tiger. In this sense, I hope that all of you can echo the confession of Jacob in Genesis 28. Jacob, having deceived his brother Esau and lived selfishly, found himself cast out into the wilderness. There, in Bethel, Jacob made this confession as recorded in Genesis 28:16: “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” Jacob didn’t temporarily leave God and return later. He thought he was always with God. But his life had been consumed with the belief that “I must take charge of my own life,” and thus, he had not experienced God’s presence. Yet, in the wilderness, as he experienced God’s presence, Jacob confessed, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” This summer retreat was a time to recognize that “God is surely here with us.” On the final day of the retreat, we were invited to the prayer site of the Senior Pastor. After spending time with Pastor Mi-young Lee discussing the spiritual world, we received grace, ate barbecue with the Senior Pastor, and took pictures together. As night fell, it was time to leave the prayer site. 

As we waited for the vehicle to take us to the bus, the Senior Pastor told us, “Look up at the stars while you wait.” When we looked up, to our amazement, one of the stars among the many began to move. God, who was with the Senior Pastor, affirmed her words by showing us a moving star. Church. That moment reminded me of Genesis 28:16: “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” It was a sign of God’s presence at the prayer site and His presence with Manmin Though God is always with us at retreats, let me share one more example of a distinct and moving experience. We went up to visit the grave of the late Bishop Myong-Ho Cheong. 

It was a scorching summer day in Korea, with temperatures exceeding 35°C. Yet, when we arrived at the grave, the sky was clouded, and a cool breeze blew, making us think, “Today’s weather is pleasantly cool.” However, as we descended from the grave site, we received a heatwave warning on our phones. How could this be? Despite the scorching heat, the area around Bishop Cheong grave was cool, as if God had worked to provide relief. Once again, I felt God’s presence. Just as the burning bush at Mount Horeb wasn’t consumed by fire, the spot where the Nairobi Manmin Church members gathered remained cool, despite the heatwave. The confession, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it,” should not only be the confession of Jacob or Moses but should be yours as well. When your children or family make this confession, and when all members of Nairobi Manmin Church do the same, that is when families will be restored, and the church will begin to grow.

 2. When we look at Moses, who was transformed at the Horeb Retreat, we see that life is like surfing the waves. For 40 years, Moses lived as a forgotten shepherd in the wilderness of Midian, but then, suddenly, his life changed drastically. A great “wave of change” came crashing into his life. In Exodus Chapter 2, we read that Moses, only three months old, was placed in a basket and set adrift on the Nile River to escape the Pharaoh’s order to kill all male Hebrew infants. But the Egyptian princess rescued him, and Moses grew up as a prince in Egypt. 

From being tossed about by the waves in that tiny basket to being miraculously saved, Moses’ life could be described as one of surfing the waves from the very beginning. Life is like surfing the waves. Just as the sea sends wave after wave, big and small, life constantly brings challenges and problems, pushing us to places of change and growth. In America, one of the most popular sports is surfing. Though not as common in Korea, surfing is so beloved in the U.S. that it is included in the curriculum for elementary and high schools. The charm of surfing lies in using the power of the waves to glide forward for tens or even hundreds of meters. It’s an adventurous and exciting sport for those who seek thrills. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we must learn to surf the waves. 

As we sail through life, we often encounter fierce waves. While such waves can evoke fear or dread, those who know how to surf can use 5 even the biggest waves to move forward with greater strength. However, when we face the waves of life, we often become discouraged. We tend to be overwhelmed by fear, thinking that the waves will destroy our lives. But remember this: the waves and storms in our lives are not sent to destroy us but to bless us. The prophet Jonah, for example, refused God’s command to go to Nineveh and proclaim repentance. As he fled in the opposite direction, heading for Tarshish by ship, a great storm arose. It was through this storm that Jonah realized the error of his ways and repented. He then fulfilled God’s command and went to Nineveh. Jonah used the great storm and waves to realign his life with God’s will. Are you facing difficulties?

 Are enormous waves that you feel powerless to overcome crashing into your life? Remember, those waves may have been sent by God to help you see if your life is headed in the right direction. When a great wave of hardship hits, the first thing we must do is examine ourselves. Like Jonah, we must ask, “Is there anything I need to repent of before God?” We must also recognize that God uses the waves to accomplish His purpose. After self-reflection, we must then consider what great work God intends to do through this wave. If we remember this, we won’t be afraid of the waves in our lives. Instead, we will be able to surf them with peace, knowing that the waves are not meant to harm or destroy us. Are waves crashing into your life? Waves of hardship, pain, or emotional wounds? If so, now is the time for spiritual surfing. Whether in relationships, unexpected issues at work or business, or overwhelming6 family or children’s problems, these challenges are the time to ride the spiritual waves. No one likes suffering. 

But if hardship is coming regardless, we must ride that wave to move forward. King David, who successfully surfed the waves of hardship, declared in Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” Every Christian must become a spiritual surfer, skillfully navigating the waves of trials and tribulations, so that even the biggest waves won’t intimidate them. I once read about the experiences of surfers. They say it’s better to surf the waves in deep water because the current is smoother and safer there. Rather than being afraid of the waves, they recommend watching them closely, and when the wave approaches, gently lift your feet, let the wave carry you, and ride it easily. The greatest wave humanity has ever faced occurred when Moses and the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army. 

In Exodus 14:10, we see that the Israelites were terrified of the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army behind them. The greatest wave in history was crashing down on Moses and the Israelites. However, in Exodus 14:13-14, Moses confidently declared, “Do not fear. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” While the people trembled in fear of the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, Moses cried out in faith, believing in God’s omnipotence. The people failed to surf the wave, but Moses succeeded. Which group do you belong to? 7 Are you someone who blames others and says, “It’s all your fault I’m in this situation”? Or are you someone like Moses, who cries out to the Lord? The key isn’t the situation itself but how you interpret it. When crises of life and waves of despair come, don’t be like the Israelites, who feared the waves and complained. Instead, be like Moses, who cried out to God and surfed the wave with faith. 

3. After successfully riding the wave, God’s control begins When you successfully ride the wave that God has created, do you know what immediately follows? God's control begins. In verse 4 of the scripture, as soon as the words "Here I am" are spoken by Moses, God's control begins in verse 5. Verse 5 records, “Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”” God commands to take off your sandals. Through the summer retreat, as our relationship with God is restored, as we succeed in riding God's wave through prayer and obedience, and as we receive grace, experience power, and are filled with the Holy Spirit, do you know what this means? It means that God's control has begun in my life. In English, the word for religion is "religion," which comes from the Latin "religio." "Religio" means "to bind." 

To live a proper life of faith means to bind myself to God. On the second day of the summer retreat, all the domestic and overseas branch churches gathered for a sports event. One of the games was the "three-legged race." Two people form a team, tie one 8 leg together, and run with three legs. Do you know how inconvenient it is to run with three legs as two people? It's not just about running by yourself; you have to match your pace with your partner and run toward the goal. Those who try to run well alone will fall. You must make a promise to each other. You have to run in sync with the count of "one, two." You must match your steps, speed, and hearts. Proper faith is about tying my feet with God. God's control begins. 

There are so many commands like "Do not do this," "Do this," "Keep," and "Cast away." Some people attend worship well, serve well, and care for others well. Everyone says they are sincere Christians, but what is the problem? When it comes to making crucial decisions, they do it on their own. They act according to their own thoughts and stubbornness. A good Christian is someone who ties their feet with the Lord and runs together. The Olympics held in France have ended. The more successful the world-class athletes are, the better the coach they have. A coach helps the athlete to perform at their best, accurately assesses the situation, and sometimes gives instructions on what to do and what not to do. During this Olympics, India, despite being the world's most populous country with over 1.4 billion people, did not win even a single gold medal. Let's talk about archery. 

This time, South Korea won all five gold medals in archery. The Indian archery team, aiming to win a medal, hired a talented Korean coach at 9 great expense and trained for several years to compete in the Olympics, but they didn't win even a single medal - not even a bronze. Was it because the Korean coach was inadequate that they didn't achieve good results? No, that was not the reason. At the start of the Olympics, they dismissed the Korean coach. They thought they had learned enough, and could do well on their own without a coach. So, they dismissed the coach just before the Olympics and ended up competing without a coach. Isn't that a lack of character? It was a sneaky move. What was the result? Competing without a coach led to poor results, with not even a bronze medal, and despite being the world's most populous country, they became an inferior sports nation without even a single gold medal. 

Kenya, on the other hand, won four gold medals in athletics, ranking 17th overall. That's remarkable! Do you have a coach in your life? We need a coach in our lives and in our faith. We must let God, the Lord, and the Holy Spirit be the coach of our lives. Why does God immediately take control after Moses experiences His presence and successfully rides the wave? “Take off your sandals.” Why does God's control begin right away? This is faith. It means that God becomes the coach of Moses' life. The quality of your faith is not measured by how much you love to sing praises, how many sermons you listen to, or how much you pray, but by how much your life is under God's control. Moses' life can be divided into two halves. 10 The life before the event in today's scripture was a life running wildly without a coach or God's control. 

As a result, he fled to the wilderness of Midian and lived a life of confusion and lost direction. But after Moses experienced God's presence, confessed “Here I am,” and rode the wave of God, God's control began in his life, and God became the coach of his life. His life then became one of blessing, without confusion or disorder. We are currently reading the Bible as a church, participating in a rainbow or heart- shaped cloud photo competition, and engaging in various prayer meetings and evangelistic activities. Why do we have to keep time, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and give tithes? Why are there so many things we have to do? The life of faith is like a three-legged race, tied together with the Lord. A proper life of faith is one that comes from thoroughly being under God's control and governance. 

4. The purpose of riding the wave is to move toward a holy life More specifically, what does God want to control in our lives? The answer is found in verse 5 of the scripture. The command "Take off your sandals" has its meaning. There can be various interpretations, but verse 5 provides the answer. Verse 5 says, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” The answer is clear. Why should we take them off? Because it is holy ground. Leviticus 11:45 says, “Therefore be holy, because I am holy. ” We need to ride the wave and be under God's control because we must become holy. Holiness refers to the way of life that God desires. Are you living in the way that God desires? The motive behind Moses' act of killing can be described in a positive light. Though the result was bad, the motive was good. 

This is a very unique aspect. Acts 7:23-24 explains well the mindset Moses had when he killed the Egyptian oppressor. Acts 7:23 says, “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites.” It says that Moses did it out of concern for the people of Israel. The motive was very good. Though the result was bad, Moses’ motive was very pure. However, just because the motive is pure does not mean the result is always good. How many people here who believe in Jesus would commit bad deeds with an evil motive? Even if the motive is pure, it must be controlled by God, who is our coach, for the result to be good. Moses started with a pure motive, out of love for his people, but why did it result in killing someone and being exiled to the wilderness? 

The answer can be found in Exodus 2:11-12. Especially in verse 12, it says, “Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.” Moses did not know what it meant to experience God's presence. He did not know what it meant to live a life conscious of God. He was the kind of person who, if no one was watching, would do anything - even kill someone - after looking around to see if anyone was watching. There was a father and son living in a village. The father tried to steal a watermelon from someone else’s field and had his son keep watch. “Son, I will steal this watermelon for you, so keep a good watch.

 If you see someone, tell me ‘Someone is watching.’” The father sneaked into the field to steal the watermelon, but the son said, “Someone is watching.” The startled father quickly came out and looked around, but no one was there. He went back into the field to pick the watermelon, and again, the son said, “Father, someone is watching.” Startled, the father rushed out again and looked around, but no one was there. The father scolded his son. “You need to keep a good watch. I’m stealing this watermelon for you, so keep a good watch.” He then went back into the field. But again, the son shouted, “Someone is watching.” The father rushed out again, but there was no one around. The father, scolding his son again, said, “Who keeps watching that you keep saying someone is watching?” The son replied, “God in heaven is watching.” This son was a good Sunday school student. Christians are people who transcend the order and values of this world, who come under God’s control and order with a new perspective. In other words, they are people who pursue the holiness that is God’s nature. 

Today’s young people often argue, “The whole world has changed, and all my friends live like this, so why should I alone be controlled and live according to the Word?” The answer is simple. Because you belong to God. God wants His children to be holy. When we say that we have received grace through the summer retreat, it means that we must now live a holy life according to God’s new way and order. Conclusion By riding the waves well and responding properly to God's control, God desires to give believers, who are pursuing holiness in their lives, a "new goal in life." In verse 10 of today’s scripture, God says, “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. ” The command to "take off your sandals" is immediately followed by the command to "now go." ‘Go with a mission to save My people, who are enslaved in Egypt.’ 

If Moses had been satisfied with the first command, saying, "This holy ground is good; I will stay here," what would have happened to the people who were groaning in suffering? Why must we ride the waves well and strive for holiness? Because we need to make an impact on this wicked age and world. We must change our mindset. Before we go to the New Jerusalem, there is a place we must go first. Where is that place? It is the world. We must go out into the world first and preach the gospel. Just as God told Moses, who had taken off his sandals, "Go to My people who are14 groaning and in need," I hope that we, too, will run with the mission of saving the souls of Kenya and Africa. I want to thank all of you for celebrating my 70th birthday during last night's Friday All-night service. 

Yesterday, I promised that anyone who evangelizes to more than 50 people during the second half of this year will receive a ticket to Korea as a prize, allowing them to attend next year's summer retreat. In the first half of the year, we held an evangelism campaign, and many new believers came to church each week. But after the campaign ended, it seems like people are not evangelizing as much, which saddens me. Those who participated in this year's summer retreat in Seoul, Korea, received grace and power and were transformed. 

So, next year, even though it may not be through an evangelism campaign, I want to give those who regularly evangelize the opportunity to attend the summer retreat. Moreover, today’s scripture tells us not to simply pursue holiness, but to "go." We are called to "go" toward the world, to "go" toward the dying souls. Through the summer retreat, we have experienced God's presence. So, by setting the right direction for our lives in the midst of the waves, both great and small, that come at us, I hope we receive the grace to go further and faster. 

Let us be controlled by God's Word, achieve holiness, and go toward the countless souls in Africa who are oppressed and enslaved by the forces of darkness. May the promise of verse 12 of today’s scripture, message of blessing given to you until the day your life ends. "I will surely be with you, " be the - END -

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Yafanye Mambo ya Ajabu Kuwa ya Kawaida

Andiko la Biblia: Luka 5:18–26
“18. Watu fulani wakamchukua mtu aliyepooza juu ya kitanda, wakajaribu kumwingiza ndani ili kumweka mbele ya Yesu. 19. Walipokosa nafasi kwa sababu ya umati, wakapanda juu ya dari, wakamshusha pamoja na kitanda chake katikati ya watu, mbele ya Yesu. 20. Alipoiona imani yao, Yesu akasema, Rafiki, umesamehewa dhambi zako.”

Siku hizi ninapata furaha na shangwe. Ingawa nilikaa Korea kwa wiki mbili kwa sababu ya mkutano wa kiangazi Seoul, nilifurahi nikijua kwamba watu walikuwa wakiningoja nyumbani kwa upendo uleule, hata nilipokuwa mbali.

Hata baada ya kurudi Nairobi, ninapoutazama nyuma mkutano wa kiangazi, neema na msukumo wake bado viko hai moyoni mwangu. Andiko la leo linahusu Musa kukutana na Mungu kwenye Mlima Horebu na kubadilika. Musa alizaliwa akiwa mwana wa Waisraeli waliokuwa watumwa Misri. Alipokuwa na umri wa miezi mitatu tu, aliwekwa kwenye kikapu na kuteremshwa katika Mto Naili, lakini binti mfalme wa Misri alimwokoa kimuujiza na kumlea kama mwana wa mfalme katika jumba la kifalme. Musa alipotambua kwamba alikuwa Mwisraeli, alimuua msimamizi Mmisri aliyekuwa akiwakandamiza watu wake.

Kwa sababu hiyo akawa mkimbizi na kutorokea nyikani mwa Midiani. Huko aliishi kama mchungaji kwa miaka 40, katika siku zilizoonekana kuwa hazina maana. Lakini siku moja, alipokuwa akiongoza kundi lake kwenye Mlima Horebu, Musa alikutana na Mungu katika kijiti kilichowaka moto, na maisha yake yakabadilika. Baadaye akawa kiongozi mkuu aliyewaongoza Waisraeli kutoka Misri. Kwa Musa, Mlima Horebu unaweza kuitwa mkutano wake wa kiangazi. Tunapotafakari jinsi Musa alivyokutana na Mungu katika mkutano wake wa Horebu na kubadilishwa, natumaini kushiriki neema na nguvu tulizopokea katika mkutano huu wa kiangazi.

1. Neema tuliyopokea katika mkutano wa kiangazi ni uwepo wa Mungu. Musa, aliyeasiliwa na binti mfalme wa Misri na kulelewa katika jumba la kifalme, alitorokea nyikani mwa Midiani baada ya kumuua msimamizi Mmisri. Huko aliishi maisha duni ya mchungaji kwa miaka 40; wakati huo uchungaji ulihesabiwa kuwa kazi ya hali ya chini. Tukiwekwa ghafla katika mazingira yasiyozoeleka namna hiyo, ingekuwa vigumu kuyazoea, na usumbufu pamoja na mateso yangekuwa makubwa. Hasa kwa Musa, aliyekuwa amefurahia kila upendeleo kama mwana wa mfalme, kuishi kama mchungaji nyikani mwa Midiani lazima kulionekana kuwa mateso yasiyovumilika. Alipitia migogoro na mashaka kiasi gani katika miaka hiyo? Ingawa alikuwa mmoja wa watu wa Mungu, Musa alikuwa hajakutana na Mungu kweli. Alikuwa amesikia tu habari za Mungu na kumwamini kinadharia.

Musa, akijaribu kuepuka maisha yake ya kila siku yenye kuchosha, alipeleka kundi lake mbali nyikani hadi Mlima Horebu, ambako alikutana na Mungu katika kijiti kilichowaka moto. Kutoka 3:2 inasema, “Malaika wa BWANA akamtokea katika mwali wa moto uliotoka katikati ya kijiti; akaona, kumbe kijiti kinawaka moto, lakini hakiteketei.” Mungu ambaye Musa alikuwa amesikia habari zake tu alimtokea yeye binafsi. Uwepo wa Mungu katika Mlima Horebu ulibadilisha maisha ya Musa milele. Kuna kitabu kinachoitwa Kuzoea Uwepo wa Mungu, kilichoandikwa na mtu aliyejulikana kama Ndugu Lawrence. Aliishi katika karne ya 17 na alikuwa mtu wa kawaida aliyefanya kazi jikoni katika monasteri.

Hata katika kazi za jikoni zilizochosha, alitamani sana uwepo wa Mungu na akaupata kwa wingi. Kitabu chake kinatufundisha kwamba maisha ya Kikristo yanapaswa kuishiwa katika ufahamu wa daima wa uwepo wa Mungu. Kwa nini tuishi tukitambua daima uwepo wa Mungu katika maisha yetu ya kila siku? Kwa sababu Bwana alisema katika Mathayo 28:20, “Mimi nipo pamoja nanyi siku zote, hata...” Je, unajua mnyama wa simbamarara aliyejazwa pamba? Anaweza kuonekana mkali kana kwamba yuko tayari kuruka, lakini amekufa. Hatupaswi kuwa na imani iliyokufa, bali imani hai inayomtafuta Mungu aliye hai, imani yenye uhai kama simbamarara aliye hai. Natumaini nyote mtaweza kurudia ungamo la Yakobo katika Mwanzo 28. Yakobo, aliyemdanganya ndugu yake Esau na kuishi kwa ubinafsi, alijikuta ametupwa nyikani. Akiwa Betheli, Yakobo alikiri kama ilivyoandikwa katika Mwanzo 28:16: “Hakika BWANA yupo mahali hapa, wala mimi sikujua.” Yakobo hakuwa amemwacha Mungu kwa muda kisha akarudi. Alidhani alikuwa pamoja na Mungu siku zote. Lakini maisha yake yalitawaliwa na wazo kwamba lazima aendeshe maisha yake mwenyewe, kwa hiyo hakuwa amepata uzoefu wa uwepo wa Mungu. Hata hivyo, alipoupata uwepo wa Mungu nyikani, Yakobo akakiri, “Hakika BWANA yupo mahali hapa, wala mimi sikujua.” Mkutano huu wa kiangazi ulikuwa wakati wa kutambua kwamba hakika Mungu yuko hapa pamoja nasi. Siku ya mwisho ya mkutano tulialikwa kwenye sehemu ya maombi ya Mchungaji Mkuu. Baada ya kuzungumza na Mchungaji Mi-young Lee kuhusu ulimwengu wa kiroho, tulipokea neema, tukala nyama choma pamoja na Mchungaji Mkuu, na kupiga picha. Usiku ulipoingia, wakati wa kuondoka kwenye sehemu ya maombi ulifika.

Tulipokuwa tukingojea gari la kutupeleka kwenye basi, Mchungaji Mkuu alituambia, “Tazameni nyota mkiwa mnasubiri.” Tulipotazama juu, tulishangaa kuona kwamba nyota moja kati ya nyingi ilianza kusogea. Mungu aliyekuwa pamoja na mchungaji huyo alithibitisha maneno yake kwa kutuonyesha nyota inayosonga. Tukio hilo lilinikumbusha Mwanzo 28:16: “Hakika BWANA yupo mahali hapa, wala mimi sikujua.” Lilikuwa ishara ya uwepo wa Mungu katika sehemu hiyo ya maombi na uwepo wake pamoja na Manmin. Ingawa Mungu huwa pamoja nasi daima katika mikutano, niruhusuni kushiriki mfano mwingine wa tukio la pekee na la kugusa moyo. Tulipanda kutembelea kaburi la marehemu Askofu Myong-Ho Cheong.

Ilikuwa siku ya kiangazi yenye joto kali nchini Korea, halijoto ikiwa zaidi ya nyuzi 35. Hata hivyo, tulipofika kaburini, anga lilikuwa na mawingu na upepo mwanana ulivuma, nasi tukasema, “Hali ya hewa leo ni ya baridi ya kupendeza.” Lakini tuliposhuka kutoka eneo la kaburi, simu zetu zilipokea tahadhari ya wimbi la joto. Hili lingewezekanaje? Licha ya joto kali, eneo lililozunguka kaburi la Askofu Cheong lilikuwa baridi, kana kwamba Mungu alikuwa ametupatia tulizo. Kwa mara nyingine nilihisi uwepo wa Mungu. Kama vile kijiti kilichowaka moto kwenye Mlima Horebu hakikuteketea, sehemu ambako washiriki wa Kanisa la Nairobi Manmin walikusanyika ilibaki na ubaridi licha ya wimbi la joto. Ungamo, “Hakika BWANA yupo mahali hapa, wala mimi sikujua,” halipaswi kuwa ungamo la Yakobo au Musa tu, bali lako pia. Watoto au familia yako wakikiri hivyo, na washiriki wote wa Kanisa la Nairobi Manmin wakifanya vivyo hivyo, ndipo familia zitakapopatanishwa na kanisa litaanza kukua.

2. Tunapomtazama Musa aliyebadilishwa katika mkutano wa Horebu, tunaona kwamba maisha yanafanana na kupanda mawimbi. Kwa miaka 40 Musa aliishi kama mchungaji aliyesahaulika nyikani mwa Midiani, lakini ghafla maisha yake yalibadilika sana. Wimbi kubwa la mabadiliko lilimjia. Katika Kutoka sura ya 2 tunasoma kwamba Musa alipokuwa na miezi mitatu tu aliwekwa kwenye kikapu na kuelekezwa kwenye Mto Naili ili kuepuka agizo la Farao la kuwaua watoto wote wa kiume wa Waebrania. Lakini binti mfalme wa Misri alimwokoa, naye Musa akakulia kama mwana wa mfalme huko Misri.

Tangu alivyotikiswa na mawimbi ndani ya kile kikapu kidogo hadi alivyookolewa kimuujiza, maisha ya Musa yanaweza kusemwa yalikuwa ya kupanda mawimbi tangu mwanzo. Maisha yanafanana na kupanda mawimbi. Kama vile bahari inavyotuma wimbi baada ya wimbi, makubwa na madogo, maisha huleta changamoto na matatizo daima, yakitusukuma kubadilika na kukua. Nchini Marekani, mchezo wa kupanda mawimbi ni miongoni mwa michezo inayopendwa sana. Ingawa si maarufu sana Korea, Marekani unafurahiwa kiasi kwamba hufundishwa katika mitaala ya shule za msingi na sekondari. Uzuri wa mchezo huu ni kutumia nguvu ya mawimbi kuteleza mbele kwa makumi au hata mamia ya mita. Ni mchezo wa kusisimua na wa kuvutia kwa wanaotafuta msisimko. Vivyo hivyo, katika maisha yetu ya kiroho tunapaswa kujifunza kupanda mawimbi.

Tunaposafiri katika maisha, mara nyingi hukutana na mawimbi makali. Mawimbi hayo yanaweza kutisha, lakini wanaojua kuyapanda wanaweza kutumia hata mawimbi makubwa zaidi kusonga mbele kwa nguvu zaidi. Hata hivyo, tunapokabili mawimbi ya maisha mara nyingi tunakata tamaa. Hofu hutulemea, tukidhani kwamba mawimbi yataharibu maisha yetu. Lakini kumbuka hili: mawimbi na dhoruba maishani mwetu hazitumwi ili kutuangamiza, bali kutubariki. Kwa mfano, nabii Yona alikataa amri ya Mungu ya kwenda Ninawi kutangaza toba. Alipokimbilia upande mwingine, akielekea Tarshishi kwa meli, dhoruba kubwa ikatokea. Kupitia dhoruba hiyo Yona alitambua kosa lake na kutubu. Kisha akaitimiza amri ya Mungu na kwenda Ninawi. Yona alitumia dhoruba na mawimbi makubwa kuelekeza tena maisha yake kulingana na mapenzi ya Mungu. Je, unakabili matatizo?

Je, mawimbi makubwa unayohisi huna uwezo wa kuyashinda yanagonga maisha yako? Kumbuka kwamba huenda Mungu ameyatuma ili kukusaidia kuona kama maisha yako yanaelekea upande unaofaa. Wimbi kubwa la shida linapokupata, jambo la kwanza tunalopaswa kufanya ni kujichunguza. Kama Yona, tujiulize, “Je, kuna jambo lolote ninalopaswa kulitubia mbele za Mungu?” Pia tutambue kwamba Mungu hutumia mawimbi kutimiza kusudi lake. Baada ya kujitafakari, tufikirie kazi kubwa ambayo Mungu anakusudia kuifanya kupitia wimbi hili. Tukikumbuka hayo, hatutaogopa mawimbi ya maisha. Badala yake tutaweza kuyapanda kwa amani, tukijua kwamba hayakusudiwi kutuumiza au kutuangamiza. Je, mawimbi yanagonga maisha yako? Mawimbi ya shida, maumivu au majeraha ya kihisia? Ikiwa ndivyo, huu ndio wakati wa kupanda mawimbi ya kiroho. Iwe ni mahusiano, matatizo yasiyotarajiwa kazini au katika biashara, au matatizo makubwa ya familia na watoto, changamoto hizi ni wakati wa kuyapanda mawimbi ya kiroho. Hakuna anayependa mateso.

Lakini ikiwa shida inakuja hata hivyo, tunapaswa kulipanda wimbi hilo ili kusonga mbele. Mfalme Daudi, aliyefanikiwa kupanda mawimbi ya shida, alisema katika Zaburi 119:71, “Ni vema kwangu kuwa naliteswa, nipate kujifunza amri zako.” Kila Mkristo anapaswa kuwa mpandaji mawimbi wa kiroho, akipita kwa ustadi katika mawimbi ya majaribu na dhiki, ili hata mawimbi makubwa zaidi yasimtishe. Nilisoma kuhusu uzoefu wa wapandaji mawimbi. Wanasema ni bora kupanda mawimbi katika maji ya kina kwa sababu mkondo huwa laini na salama zaidi. Badala ya kuyaogopa mawimbi, wanashauri kuyatazama kwa makini; wimbi linapokaribia, inua miguu yako kwa upole, liruhusu likubebe na ulipande kwa urahisi. Wimbi kubwa zaidi ambalo wanadamu wamewahi kukabili lilitokea Musa na Waisraeli waliponaswa kati ya Bahari ya Shamu na jeshi la Wamisri lililokuwa likiwafuatia.

Katika Kutoka 14:10 tunaona kwamba Waisraeli waliogopa sana Bahari ya Shamu iliyokuwa mbele yao na jeshi la Wamisri lililokuwa nyuma yao. Wimbi kubwa zaidi katika historia lilikuwa likiwakumba Musa na Waisraeli. Hata hivyo, katika Kutoka 14:13–14, Musa alisema kwa ujasiri, “Msiogope, simameni tu, mkauone wokovu wa BWANA atakaowafanyia leo. Wamisri mnaowaona leo hamtawaona tena milele. BWANA atawapigania ninyi, nanyi mtanyamaza kimya.” Watu walitetemeka kwa hofu ya Bahari ya Shamu na jeshi la Wamisri, lakini Musa alilia kwa imani, akiamini uweza wa Mungu. Watu walishindwa kulipanda wimbi, lakini Musa alifanikiwa. Wewe uko katika kundi gani? Je, wewe ni mtu anayewalaumu wengine na kusema, “Ni kosa lenu kwamba niko katika hali hii”? Au wewe ni kama Musa, unayemlilia Bwana? Jambo kuu si hali yenyewe, bali jinsi unavyoitafsiri. Migogoro ya maisha na mawimbi ya kukata tamaa yanapokuja, usiwe kama Waisraeli walioyaogopa mawimbi na kulalamika. Uwe kama Musa, aliyemlilia Mungu na kulipanda wimbi kwa imani.

3. Baada ya kulipanda wimbi kwa mafanikio, Mungu huanza kutawala. Unapofanikiwa kulipanda wimbi ambalo Mungu ameleta, unajua nini hufuata mara moja? Mungu huanza kutawala. Katika mstari wa 4 wa andiko, mara tu Musa anaposema, “Mimi hapa,” utawala wa Mungu unaanza katika mstari wa 5. Mstari wa 5 unasema, “Usikaribie hapa; vua viatu vyako miguuni, kwa maana mahali hapo unaposimama ni nchi takatifu.” Mungu anaamuru avue viatu. Kupitia mkutano wa kiangazi, uhusiano wetu na Mungu unaporejeshwa, tunapofanikiwa kulipanda wimbi la Mungu kupitia maombi na utii, na tunapopokea neema, kupata nguvu na kujazwa Roho Mtakatifu, unajua jambo hili linamaanisha nini? Linamaanisha kwamba Mungu ameanza kutawala maisha yangu. Kwa Kiingereza neno la dini ni religion, linalotokana na neno la Kilatini religio. Religio humaanisha kufunga.

Kuishi maisha sahihi ya imani kunamaanisha kujifunga kwa Mungu. Siku ya pili ya mkutano wa kiangazi, makanisa yote ya matawi ya ndani na ya ng’ambo yalikusanyika kwa ajili ya mashindano ya michezo. Mchezo mmoja ulikuwa wa kukimbia kwa miguu mitatu. Watu wawili huwa timu moja, hufunga mguu mmoja pamoja na kukimbia kwa miguu mitatu. Unajua jinsi ilivyo vigumu kwa watu wawili kukimbia namna hiyo? Huwezi kukimbia peke yako tu; lazima ulinganishe mwendo wako na wa mwenzako na kukimbia kuelekea lengo. Wanaojaribu kukimbia vizuri peke yao wataanguka. Lazima mkubaliane. Mnapaswa kukimbia kwa pamoja kwa hesabu ya moja, mbili. Linganisha hatua, kasi na mioyo yenu. Imani sahihi ni kuifunga miguu yangu pamoja na Mungu. Utawala wa Mungu huanza.

Kuna amri nyingi kama Usifanye hivi, Fanya hivi, Shika na Tupa. Watu wengine huhudhuria ibada vizuri, hutumika vizuri na kuwajali wengine vizuri. Kila mtu husema wao ni Wakristo waaminifu, lakini tatizo ni nini? Wanapofanya maamuzi muhimu, huamua wenyewe. Hutenda kulingana na mawazo yao na ukaidi wao. Mkristo mzuri ni yule anayefunga miguu yake pamoja na Bwana na kukimbia naye. Michezo ya Olimpiki iliyofanyika Ufaransa imeisha. Kadiri wanavyofaulu wanamichezo wa kiwango cha dunia, ndivyo wanavyokuwa na makocha bora zaidi. Kocha humsaidia mwanamichezo kufanya vizuri kadiri awezavyo, hutathmini hali kwa usahihi na wakati mwingine humwelekeza la kufanya na la kutofanya. Katika Olimpiki hii, India, licha ya kuwa nchi yenye watu wengi zaidi duniani, zaidi ya bilioni 1.4, haikupata hata medali moja ya dhahabu. Tuzungumzie mchezo wa kurusha mishale.

Safari hii Korea Kusini ilishinda medali zote tano za dhahabu katika mchezo wa kurusha mishale. Timu ya India ilitaka kushinda medali, ikaajiri kocha mahiri wa Korea kwa gharama kubwa na kufanya mazoezi kwa miaka kadhaa ili kushiriki Olimpiki, lakini haikushinda medali hata moja, hata ya shaba. Je, hawakufanya vizuri kwa sababu kocha huyo wa Korea hakuwa na uwezo? La, sivyo. Olimpiki ilipoanza, walimfukuza kocha huyo. Walidhani wamejifunza vya kutosha na wangeweza kufanya vizuri wenyewe bila kocha. Kwa hiyo walimfukuza muda mfupi kabla ya Olimpiki na kushindana bila kocha. Je, huo si ukosefu wa tabia njema? Lilikuwa tendo la hila. Matokeo yalikuwa nini? Kushindana bila kocha kulileta matokeo mabaya: hawakupata hata medali ya shaba, na licha ya kuwa nchi yenye watu wengi zaidi duniani wakawa taifa duni katika michezo, bila hata medali moja ya dhahabu.

Kwa upande mwingine, Kenya ilishinda medali nne za dhahabu katika riadha na kushika nafasi ya 17 kwa jumla. Hilo ni jambo la ajabu! Je, una kocha maishani mwako? Tunahitaji kocha katika maisha na imani yetu. Tunapaswa kumruhusu Mungu, Bwana na Roho Mtakatifu wawe makocha wa maisha yetu. Kwa nini Mungu alianza kutawala mara moja baada ya Musa kupata uwepo wake na kulipanda wimbi kwa mafanikio? Vua viatu vyako. Kwa nini utawala wa Mungu unaanza mara moja? Hii ndiyo imani. Inamaanisha kwamba Mungu anakuwa kocha wa maisha ya Musa. Ubora wa imani yako haupimwi kwa jinsi unavyopenda kuimba sifa, mahubiri unayosikiliza au muda unaotumia kuomba, bali kwa kiwango ambacho maisha yako yako chini ya utawala wa Mungu. Maisha ya Musa yanaweza kugawanywa katika sehemu mbili. Maisha yake kabla ya tukio la andiko la leo yalikuwa ya kukimbia bila mpangilio, bila kocha wala utawala wa Mungu.

Kwa hiyo alitorokea nyikani mwa Midiani na kuishi maisha ya kuchanganyikiwa na kukosa mwelekeo. Lakini baada ya Musa kupata uwepo wa Mungu, kusema Mimi hapa, na kulipanda wimbi la Mungu, utawala wa Mungu ulianza maishani mwake, na Mungu akawa kocha wake. Kisha maisha yake yakawa ya baraka, bila kuchanganyikiwa wala vurugu. Sasa tunasoma Biblia kama kanisa, tunashiriki mashindano ya picha za upinde wa mvua au mawingu yenye umbo la moyo, na kushiriki mikutano mbalimbali ya maombi na shughuli za uinjilisti. Kwa nini tunapaswa kutunza muda, kujazwa Roho Mtakatifu na kutoa zaka? Kwa nini kuna mambo mengi tunayopaswa kufanya? Maisha ya imani yanafanana na mbio za miguu mitatu, tukiwa tumefungwa pamoja na Bwana. Maisha sahihi ya imani hutokana na kuwa chini kabisa ya utawala na uongozi wa Mungu.

4. Kusudi la kulipanda wimbi ni kuelekea maisha matakatifu. Kwa usahihi zaidi, Mungu anataka kutawala nini maishani mwetu? Jibu linapatikana katika mstari wa 5 wa andiko. Amri Vua viatu vyako ina maana yake. Kunaweza kuwa na tafsiri mbalimbali, lakini mstari wa 5 unatoa jibu: “Vua viatu vyako miguuni, kwa maana mahali hapo unaposimama ni nchi takatifu.” Jibu liko wazi. Kwa nini tuviondoe? Kwa sababu ni nchi takatifu. Mambo ya Walawi 11:45 inasema, “Basi mtakuwa watakatifu, kwa kuwa mimi ni mtakatifu.” Tunapaswa kulipanda wimbi na kuwa chini ya utawala wa Mungu kwa sababu tunapaswa kuwa watakatifu. Utakatifu ni namna ya maisha anayoitaka Mungu. Je, unaishi kwa namna anayoitaka Mungu? Nia ya Musa kumuua mtu inaweza kuelezwa kwa njia chanya. Ingawa matokeo yalikuwa mabaya, nia yake ilikuwa nzuri.

Hili ni jambo la pekee sana. Matendo 7:23–24 yanaeleza vizuri mawazo aliyokuwa nayo Musa alipomuua Mmisri aliyekuwa akiukandamiza watu. Matendo 7:23 inasema, “Alipokuwa na umri wa miaka arobaini, akaazimu kuwatembelea ndugu zake, wana wa Israeli.” Musa alifanya hivyo kwa sababu aliwahangaikia watu wa Israeli. Nia yake ilikuwa nzuri sana. Ingawa matokeo yalikuwa mabaya, nia ya Musa ilikuwa safi kabisa. Hata hivyo, nia safi haimaanishi kwamba matokeo yatakuwa mazuri sikuzote. Ni watu wangapi hapa wanaomwamini Yesu ambao wangefanya maovu kwa nia mbaya? Hata nia ikiwa safi, lazima itawaliwe na Mungu, kocha wetu, ili matokeo yawe mazuri. Musa alianza kwa nia safi, kwa upendo kwa watu wake, lakini kwa nini matokeo yakawa kumuua mtu na kuhamishwa kwenda nyikani?

Jibu linapatikana katika Kutoka 2:11–12. Hasa mstari wa 12 unasema, “Akaangalia huku na huku, na kuona ya kuwa hapana mtu, akampiga Mmisri, akamficha katika mchanga.” Musa hakujua maana ya kupata uwepo wa Mungu. Hakujua maana ya kuishi akimtambua Mungu. Alikuwa mtu ambaye, ikiwa hakuna anayemtazama, angefanya lolote, hata kuua mtu, baada ya kuangalia huku na huku kuona kama kuna mtu. Kulikuwa na baba na mwana waliokuwa wakiishi kijijini. Baba alijaribu kuiba tikiti maji katika shamba la mtu mwingine na kumwambia mwanawe awe mlinzi. “Mwanangu, nitakuibia tikiti maji hili, kwa hiyo angalia vizuri. Ukimwona mtu, niambie, kuna mtu anayetazama.” Baba akaingia shambani kwa siri ili kuiba tikiti maji, lakini mwana akasema, “Kuna mtu anayetazama.” Baba akashtuka, akatoka haraka na kutazama huku na huku, lakini hakukuwa na mtu. Akaingia tena shambani kuchukua tikiti maji, naye mwana akasema tena, “Baba, kuna mtu anayetazama.” Baba akashtuka na kutoka tena haraka kutazama, lakini hakukuwa na mtu. Baba akamkemea mwanawe: “Lazima uangalie vizuri. Ninakuibia tikiti maji hili, kwa hiyo uwe macho.” Kisha akaingia tena shambani.

Lakini mwana akapiga kelele tena, “Kuna mtu anayetazama.” Baba akatoka tena haraka, lakini hakukuwa na mtu karibu. Baba akamkemea mwanawe tena, “Ni nani anayekutazama mpaka useme kila mara kwamba kuna mtu anayetazama?” Mwana akajibu, “Mungu aliye mbinguni anatutazama.” Mwana huyu alikuwa mwanafunzi mzuri wa shule ya Jumapili. Wakristo ni watu wanaovuka utaratibu na maadili ya ulimwengu huu, na wanaojiweka chini ya utawala na utaratibu wa Mungu kwa mtazamo mpya. Kwa maneno mengine, ni watu wanaoutafuta utakatifu ambao ni tabia ya Mungu.

Vijana wa leo mara nyingi hubishana, “Dunia nzima imebadilika na marafiki zangu wote wanaishi hivi, kwa nini mimi pekee nitawaliwe na kuishi kulingana na Neno?” Jibu ni rahisi: kwa sababu wewe ni wa Mungu. Mungu anataka watoto wake wawe watakatifu. Tunaposema tumepokea neema katika mkutano wa kiangazi, maana yake ni kwamba sasa tunapaswa kuishi maisha matakatifu kulingana na njia na utaratibu mpya wa Mungu. Hitimisho. Tunapopanda mawimbi vizuri na kuitikia ipasavyo utawala wa Mungu, Mungu anataka kuwapa waumini wanaotafuta utakatifu katika maisha yao lengo jipya la maisha. Katika mstari wa 10 wa andiko la leo Mungu anasema, “Basi sasa, njoo, nami nitakutuma kwa Farao, ili uwatoe watu wangu, wana wa Israeli, kutoka Misri.” Amri ya vua viatu vyako inafuatwa mara moja na amri ya sasa nenda. “Nenda kwa utume wa kuwaokoa watu wangu walioko utumwani Misri na wanaougua.”

Kama Musa angeridhika na amri ya kwanza na kusema, “Mahali hapa patakatifu ni pazuri; nitabaki hapa,” ingekuwaje kwa watu waliokuwa wakiteseka na kuugua? Kwa nini tunapaswa kupanda mawimbi vizuri na kujitahidi kuwa watakatifu? Kwa sababu tunapaswa kuleta athari katika kizazi hiki kiovu na ulimwengu huu. Tunapaswa kubadili mtazamo wetu. Kabla hatujaenda Yerusalemu Mpya, kuna mahali tunapopaswa kwenda kwanza. Mahali hapo ni wapi? Ni ulimwengu. Tunapaswa kwenda ulimwenguni kwanza na kuhubiri Injili. Kama vile Mungu alivyomwambia Musa, aliyekuwa amevua viatu, “Nenda kwa watu wangu wanaougua na wenye shida,” natumaini nasi tutakwenda kwa bidii kwa utume wa kuokoa roho za Kenya na Afrika. Nawashukuru nyote kwa kusherehekea siku yangu ya kuzaliwa ya miaka 70 katika ibada ya Ijumaa ya usiku kucha jana.

Jana niliahidi kwamba yeyote atakayewahubiria watu zaidi ya 50 katika nusu ya pili ya mwaka huu atapokea tiketi ya kwenda Korea kama zawadi, ili ahudhurie mkutano wa kiangazi wa mwaka ujao. Katika nusu ya kwanza ya mwaka tulifanya kampeni ya uinjilisti, na waumini wengi wapya walikuja kanisani kila wiki. Lakini kampeni ilipoisha, inaonekana watu hawahubiri tena sana, jambo linalonihuzunisha. Wale walioshiriki mkutano wa kiangazi wa mwaka huu Seoul, Korea, walipokea neema na nguvu na kubadilishwa.

Kwa hiyo mwaka ujao, hata kama hakutakuwa na kampeni ya uinjilisti, nataka kuwapa wale wanaohubiri Injili kwa ukawaida nafasi ya kuhudhuria mkutano wa kiangazi. Zaidi ya hayo, andiko la leo halituambii tutafute utakatifu tu, bali twende. Tumeitwa kwenda ulimwenguni na kwenda kwa roho zinazokufa. Kupitia mkutano wa kiangazi tumepata uzoefu wa uwepo wa Mungu. Kwa hiyo, tunapoweka mwelekeo sahihi wa maisha yetu katikati ya mawimbi makubwa na madogo yanayotukumba, natumaini tutapokea neema ya kwenda mbali zaidi na kwa kasi zaidi.

Tujitiishe chini ya Neno la Mungu, tufikie utakatifu na kwenda kwa roho nyingi za Afrika zinazokandamizwa na kufungwa na nguvu za giza. Ahadi ya baraka ya mstari wa 12 wa andiko la leo, “Hakika nitakuwa pamoja nawe,” iwe baraka kwenu hadi siku ya mwisho ya maisha yenu. - MWISHO

Rudi kwenye Mahubiri