Covered in His Dust (Part 2)

Rabbi Samuel carefully examined Simon. He looked presentable on the outside, but did he have what it would take to be his disciple? He wanted to know if Simon would be able to emulate him in every way. Would he master his philosophy and his interpretation of Scripture, called a yoke? He wondered if this young boy would develop into a successful rabbi and be able to teach and spread his yoke. The only way to find out was to ask him various questions. And he did this with increased velocity. Simon kept up at the beginning, but then became overwhelmed at the depth of questions and the requirement to respond with another question. Finally the questioning stopped. Rabbi Samuel, once again, looked Simon over. He gazed intently into Simon’s eyes and said, “Ah, my son, you do know Torah. There is no doubt you know it well, but you are not able to be my talmudeen.” He could see the deep disappointment in Simon’s face and continued, “Son, go back to your village. Learn your family’s business. Pursue marriage and have lots of children and pray that one will become a rabbi to fulfill your dream. I’m sorry, but you won’t be studying to be a rabbi.” With his head down, Simon walked away.

How was he going to face his father? He would be devastated. All that studying for nothing, Simon thought. He had tried so hard to be ‘the best of the best of the best;’ and yet, fell short. He slowly walked home and waited for his father to return from fishing. When his father arrived home he overheard his mother ask, “What did you catch today?” “Nothing,” he replied. “Is Simon home?” “Yes, he’s inside and he’s been waiting for you,” his mother replied. “Oh good, I’m sure he has come home with a good report,” Simon’s father said confidently, as he entered the house. “Simon, I can’t wait to hear how it went with Rabbi Samuel. I’m sure he chose you to be his talmudeen. We need to invite our relatives for a celebration. My son, Rabbi Samuel’s talmudeen! What an honour to be…” Simon interrupted, “Abba, I don’t know how to tell you this, but…I…I wasn’t chosen to be Rabbi Samuel’s talmudeen.” Not wanting to see the disappointment in his father’s face, Simon stared at the floor and continued, “Abba, I am so sorry. I know how much you wanted me to be a rabbi, but Rabbi Samuel said I didn’t have what it took to be his disciple…” “But I don’t understand,” his father interjected, shaking his head, “You studied so hard. I just don’t understand?” He turned and went out the door. Simon sat down on the floor and wanted to cry. This had to be the worst day of his life! 

Simon’s father didn’t mention that day again. Simon knew how disappointed his father was, but he also knew that he was the kind of man who went on with life, making the most of it. Simon now needed to join his father fishing to help with the family business. His days began before sunrise—needing to be at their small boat on the Sea of Galilee. On many occasions, after pulling the boat ashore, he would see in the distance Rabbi Samuel with his disciples, all following closely behind him. These were the students who were the ‘best of the best of the best.’ They had what it took to become a rabbi. They were the ones that Rabbi Samuel would have said, “Lech Acharai—Come, follow me. Take my ‘yoke’ upon you.” This meant, take my interpretation of the Torah upon you. These were the disciples that left their family, their village and everything familiar to them, so as to follow in this rabbi’s footsteps. These were the young men that gave their lives to be exactly like this rabbi, even to the extent of chewing their food like him. 

As they passed by Simon, he heard the older men shout to the disciples, “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi, my friend!” These disciples followed so closely behind their rabbi that the dust and mud he created would be caked all over the front of their robes. Simon felt his heart sink when he heard these words. He had so desperately tried to be one of them. What an honour it would have been to be covered in his rabbi’s dust. He stopped thinking and staring at them and resumed mending the fishing nets.

A few years passed, but life for Simon hadn’t changed much. He was now married and in charge of the family fish business, and was doing well financially. He did this along with his brother, Andrew, who also had been rejected by the well-known and respected rabbi. Simon only knew how to fish. He had no idea his future was about to change upon meeting a “fisher of men,” and “rabbi” like no other...

Covered in His Dust (Part 1)

“Simon, time to get up,” his mother called, as she looked at her six year-old son still sleeping on the mat. Simon sat up and rubbed his eyes. Still half-asleep, he made his way outside where his mother was roasting grain on the fire. She handed him a piece of barley bread and stroked his dark, curly hair. Bending over to kiss him on the cheek, she asked, “Simon, aren’t you excited? Today is your first day at Bet Sefer!” Simon’s mouth was too full to respond, so instead he nodded in agreement. Indeed, Simon was excited to be going to the local synagogue school called, Bet Sefer or “house of the book.” Along with the other local Jewish boys his age (6-10 years old), he would start attending classes Monday to Friday. After eating his bread and washing his face, Simon scurried off to the synagogue. He joined the other boys sitting on the floor in a semicircle. Rabbi Abraham sat on a stool facing the boys. One of the older boys handed to each student a grey slate for writing. Rabbi Abraham lifted up a clay jar, and getting up from his stool, he walked over to the boys and poured honey from the jar onto their slates. Honey was a sign of God’s favour. “Now class, lick the honey off your slate and your fingers,” Rabbi Abraham announced. As Simon and the other boys obeyed, he continued, “May the words of God be sweet to your taste, sweeter than honey to your mouth.” He was quoting Psalm 119:103. He wanted his students to know that honey was sweet and pleasurable, but it would never be as sweet or pleasurable as the words of God. This was Simon’s introduction to the Scriptures. He would soon discover there was indeed nothing more enjoyable in the entire world than tasting and receiving the words of God and integrating them into his life. Simon happily returned home from his first day at Bet Sefer and told his mother that the rabbi let him lick honey off his slate! His mother assured him that he would not be allowed to do that at home.

By the time Simon was ten years old he had the entire Torah, or first five books of the Bible, memorized. His parents were very proud of him. They were a poor family, living in a one-room house with Simon and his younger brother, Andrew. His father was a fisherman and had good and bad days for catching fish and selling them at the local market. He wanted his sons to have a better life than what he had, so he was very pleased when Simon had graduated from Bet Sefer and would now be attending Bet Talmud—“house of learning.” If he became the ‘best of the best’ at this school, he would then have a chance of being selected to follow one of the great rabbis. Simon applied himself to Rabbi Josephus’ teachings and became very good at answering his questions with another question. “Simon!” Rabbi Josephus would shout from across the room, “What is two plus two?” Simon would shout back, “Rabbi Josephus, what is 8 minus 4 or 16 divided by 4 or 25% of 16?” Rabbi Josephus would smile and reply, “Well done, Simon, you are proof that the highest form of worship is studying.” By the time Simon and his friends had reached 13 years of age, they had memorized the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures all the way to the book of Malachi.

“Simon, wake up!” his father said shaking him. “Today is your big day! You need to get washed and ready to present yourself to Rabbi Samuel.” “I’m awake, Abba,” Simon replied as he got up from his mat. “Abba, I think you are more nervous than I am,” Simon said, as he went over to the table and poured water into the bowl to wash his face. As he was doing this his father asked, “Simon, are you really ready to meet Rabbi Samuel today? You know he is the most well-known, respected and powerful rabbi in Bethsaida. Are you ready to answer his questions?” Simon lifted the nearby cloth and dried his face. He turned to his father and answered, “Abba, I will do my best. I know the other boys also want to be his ‘talmudeen’ (student). I know that Rabbi Samuel will choose only the best of the best of the best. Please pray for me.” With that, Simon got dressed, grabbed a piece of barley bread and ran to the synagogue.

Simon felt the pressure. His father desperately wanted him to follow a rabbi, as it was considered the highest honour in his culture. He didn’t want to disappoint his father. He also knew his own reputation was at stake, and he wanted to be known as, ‘the best of the best of the best.’ Simon arrived at the synagogue finding his fellow students all waiting to be quizzed by Rabbi Samuel. He eagerly joined them on the floor. As he waited, he watched many leave dejected, knowing the rabbi had turned them down. Simon was determined not to let this discourage him. After all, he had studied hard and made it this far; he couldn’t fail now. His name was called and he walked toward Rabbi Samuel. Stopping in front of him, he said, “Rabbi Samuel, I want to become your disciple, your talmudeen. Will you allow me into your Bet Midrash—‘house of study’?” Simon knew this request meant that he desired to give his life to follow this well-known, respected and powerful rabbi. He didn’t just want to know what the rabbi taught, but he wanted to be just like him in every way— imitating both his teaching and his lifestyle...

Getting Guidance (Part 2)

 My “try new things” spirit has me embarking on adventures that require me taking the initiative. If I can’t find people who want to go hiking with me, the thought would cross my mind that I could do it alone. It isn’t that I wouldn’t be able to, especially one that I’ve done before, but it just wouldn’t be wise. Although a naturally independent person, I’ve learned through my journey of life that there is safety in numbers.

A few years ago when I was researching Bible customs, I discovered this intriguing fact regarding travel:

“Wherever it is possible to do so men travel in large groups so that they can help each other in case they meet with robbers or wild animals along the way. A guide or someone who knows the way, and especially one who is acquainted with the locations of wells or springs of water or other watering places, is invaluable to the travelers.”1

I believe that what has been considered wise in the natural, is also wise in the spiritual. There are around 59 “One another’s” in the Bible which indicates that God is very much into us not doing this journey alone. My concern for any of us living in this post-modern age is that with the infiltration of social media we are getting a false sense of “togetherness”. It’s also feeding us with a lot of information, but not necessary the truth. Those who don’t have people physically present helping them on their journeys can easily be swayed by what they read over social media. For me, facebook will never and should never become a substitute for face-to-face interactions with real people. I don’t believe this is just a phenomenon with the youth of today, but it is seeping into the older generation. Where we used to make time for the younger generation, we are now spending it on social media platforms. The need for input from encouraging adults has not changed. I would even go as far as to say that the demand is there, but perhaps it’s the supply that isn’t! If ever a generation needed guides to help them navigate life’s trails and trials it is now; guides who will lead them to the truth where truth has become so oblique.

I have been blessed with older men and women who speak into my life. I dread to think where I would be without their words of wisdom, encouragement, suggestions, prayers and faithful support. Like any “do it yourself” kind of person I wasn’t always heeding their suggestions, but years later I see the wisdom in their words, and see how God broadened my horizons because of them. For instance, I’ll never forget my Mum who knew my interest in missions suggesting YWAM as a possibility. I must admit at the time I didn’t take much notice and certainly didn’t go pursuing them. It seems God had them find me at a time in my young life that I was particularly desperate for answers. Now, 20 years later, YWAM has become the environment under which God has released me to express His heart to young people, especially in Africa. I have a spiritual Mum whom I met when living in Zimbabwe. Her daily gift of encouragement over the phone wasn’t always appreciated when I just wanted to get on with my day; but her consistent words of truth would eventually penetrate. Years later, I found myself teaching on the very subjects she would say were lacking in the church today.

When I left Zimbabwe, I would continue receiving her insights, one of which led me to do something I never would have thought of doing. She knew about my relationship with my AIDs orphan son, Gamu. After his Gogo (grandmother) passed away in 2014 she suggested that I write an article about him and submit it to a well-known Christian magazine based in Cape Town. At the time, I shelved the idea underestimating the story’s significance. It was only after Gamu’s passing in April of this year that Holy Spirit reminded me of her suggestion and encouraged me to submit an article as his life and story were worthy of being used to help others. I did this and I am happy to say that, despite thousands of articles being submitted to JOY magazine, it was published. Interesting how my spiritual Mum’s name is Joy. Whether we are from the younger or older generations, let’s be more intentional about getting guidance from those who’ve walked before us!

 Joy and myself

1. Fred H. Wright, Manners & Customs of Bible Lands  (Chicago: Moody Press, 1953), 270.

Getting Guidance (Part 1)

Anyone who has read my previous blogs would know that I am an avid hiker. I live in the perfect city, province, and nation to do so. Before I embark on a hike, I google to find out possible hikes in my area and maps to help me find my way once I’m there. I must admit that despite research and maps it is very easy to lose one’s way. Unfamiliar territory that shares much in common ends up looking the same to the outsider. Even hikes that I’ve done in the past cause me confusion when there are little to no markings along the way to direct one’s steps.

Last year three of us rose to the challenge of doing a two-day overnight hike. After much research I found a remote place a couple of hours from the city and we started our adventure. As it was mostly flat terrain, the best way to navigate our journey was to follow the path carved out by previous hikers’ footsteps. But once we reached the rocky areas there was no path to follow. 

Thankfully, we spotted a pile of stones that we later found out were called “cairns” that hikers had built on top of various rocks along the way to direct future hikers onward. We came to depend on these. Under the gruelling weight of our backpacks and the unrelenting heat of the sun, we wondered how much further to our overnight accommodation. What a welcome relief when we came upon some hikers walking towards us. Hearing that they were coming from where we were going, our first question was how much further to our destination. Their response encouraged us that we were on the right track, but the reality was that it was still further than we expected. With the little energy we had remaining we eventually made it to our accommodation.

I often think about how hiking connects with getting guidance for our journeys in life. What is comforting to me is that God hasn’t left us alone on these journeys. He has definitely given us His Word as a map. That’s why verses like Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” are so helpful. However, if we are not willing to do the research and get guidance from it, we are bound to get lost. I can fully understand that even when reading the Word it is hard to interpret it and apply it to our day-to-day life. For me, it has been people I may not even know who have left “cairns” that have helped me find my way in very unfamiliar surroundings; people who have done that part of the journey and were mindful of those following after them. That’s why I believe writing journals, books, devotionals, etc. are vital to passing on life lessons that will benefit the next generation of seekers. Then there are those who show up on our path when we most need a word of encouragement to keep us pressing forward and not to give up under the scorching heat of our circumstances. Yes, we still have to make the decision to either turn back or move forward, but it is life-giving to know that others have made it so far and are still alive to tell the tale!

What is Love? (Part 2)

…Alternatively, I could open wide my front door and invite them in for some biscuits and a cool drink. This would demonstrate my desire to get to know them, and hopefully, this would melt their hearts, so they wouldn’t fight anymore. It would also encourage them to trust me, rather than fear me. My dear Child, this is what I did. And now I have a great expectancy in them coming to see me. They can’t wait to come to my house and tell me about their day, and sometimes they even ask me about mine! Surprisingly, they asked me to forgive them for fighting and breaking my rose bush!

You see, Child, love doesn’t try to make a relationship happen, but it opens wide the door for the possibility of one. Love stretches out its arms in a gesture of welcome. From all the letters you’ve sent me over the years, I can see you are learning a lot about love. You used to live loving the law, but now you are living the law of love. Living according to what you thought was right made you judge others according to your standards. You mistakenly believed you were living a higher standard than the ones you were judging. That was the way you controlled them. The letter of the law kills, but love brings life. Love is a verb, not a noun. It is always active, living itself out in practical ways, not wanting to be noticed.

You have met some of my sons and daughters, but you didn’t get a chance to meet them all, because you moved from home at such an early age. I’m sure you remember my eldest son, Josh. I was especially fond of him. I know you weren’t around when it happened, but I remember writing to you a few months later. Although it was many, many years ago, I can remember that day like it was today. I had written several letters to people like you, who live all over the world, and I needed to post them. Josh was home from school and he saw how occupied I was with writing letters, so he asked if he could do anything to help. Instead of stopping and going to post the letters myself, I decided to keep writing and gave him the ones I had already finished to take to the post office. He was happy to do that, and decided since it was such a nice day he would walk.

I was sitting at my desk that looked onto the street, and could see him on the driveway about to cross over. I also saw our next-door neighbour’s child on his bike. He was heading down the driveway too quickly to stop before reaching the road. Josh saw this, too, while noticing a truck coming at a very high speed. Racing towards the child on the bike, Josh threw himself in front of the bike, but was not able to stop the truck from hitting them. I ran outside, only to see my Josh lying lifeless on the pavement, blood splattered everywhere. The child was also lying on the ground whimpering and still alive. I picked up Josh’s dead body in my arms, his blood covering my hands. I gently laid him on the grass and went over to the child. Seeing that no bones were broken, I picked him up with those bloodied hands and gave him to his parents, who had come running out of the house. As I turned around I could see those letters scattered all over the road. I went over and picked them up, one by one, Josh’s blood staining them. I sat down next to Josh’s body, and felt like I had died that day. The truck never stopped and I found out later the driver was drunk.

What’s interesting is that only a few days before, Josh and I were having a conversation about death. A subject most people avoid talking about, due to its uncertainty, but ironically, its great certainty. I had given Josh a scenario about having to die in order to save someone. I asked if he had to make that choice, what would he do? Without any hesitation, he said he would die for that person, trusting he would have the courage to follow through. Then I proposed an even greater challenge, asking if he would die for someone who didn’t deserve it? Again, without hesitation he said he would be willing to die for such a one. He added, and I’ll never forget his words, “Father, when that happens to me, I hope that you would forgive them.”

A few days after Josh’s death, I went to the post office with those blood-stained letters and posted them myself.

You see, my dear Child, the question you need to ask yourself, and I would encourage anyone who wants to know about love, is not what is love? But rather, Who is love? Child, I am LOVE and LOVE is Me!

Love,

Abba Father

(Taken from “The Treasure Within” book by Kathy Gooch; Chapter “God is Love - Love is God”)

What is Love? (Part 1)

The following letter is from someone I’ve known most of my life. He is a personal friend of my family; and although very old, he’s become very dear to me. I can’t remember how old, but he isn’t into emailing and stuff like that. He has what we call a “home help,” and he dictates his letters while she types and posts them to me. I really respect him, and in many ways he’s been like a father and mentor. I ask him questions in the letters I write. He’s always so good about answering them—helping me to understand life. This is what he wrote to me not so long ago, and I thought it worthy of sharing with you.

My Dearest Kathryn,

I was so excited when I received your letter in the post the other day. I love hearing from you and finding out how you are doing. From what you were describing, it sounds like you are facing many challenges that are providing opportunities for growth. I particularly appreciated and was honoured when you asked me a question about the true meaning of love. Now there is a question, that through the centuries, much has been written about, sung about, laughed about, cried about and even fought over! The answer to “What is the true meaning of love?” is like a treasure hidden that only those who have a genuine desire to know will find. As you seem so interested in knowing what LOVE means, I will share with you my thoughts.

Love in its highest and truest form is absolutely selfless, sacrificial, giving and expecting nothing in return. It always prefers, considers, thinks and does for another over and above itself. Love is passionately committed to the well-being of others. It takes no thought for itself. Love reaches out to those who don’t deserve it, and doesn’t wait to be loved back. It keeps giving unconditionally.

So many people confuse love with a feeling, but love is really a choice. For love to be love it needs someone to give itself to. It cannot exist on its own. Love chooses to limit itself in order to foster and nurture a relationship with the one loved. Kathryn, remember how you taught nursery school children? When you played a game with them, you purposefully pretended that you didn’t know how to play, allowing them to explain the rules, and even letting them win. You wanted them to learn that it wasn’t about taking advantage of another; rather, it was all about love and respecting each other—enjoying a relationship.

True love is never about elevating oneself. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. It’s about choosing to limit itself and choosing to serve. It doesn’t highlight what is lacking in someone, but what is favourable in someone. Love from its great height calls, woos and encourages the ones it loves to come up higher, and shows them the more excellent way of getting there. Love covers a multitude of sins and provides the remedy for it. While people may naturally experience fear, pain or demand their rights; love casts out fear, heals the pain, and surrenders its rights.

In fact, love has no rights. Many people believe that by maintaining their rights, or even fighting for them, they will find freedom. True freedom is not found in holding onto, but in letting go of what we think belongs to us. Living according to our rights is living independently and love does not live independently, but interdependently. When we live interdependent we live in true relationship. Love is about laying down your life for another.

I once heard a story about two goats meeting each other on a narrow bridge. They were both head to head and there was no way to get around. Heads down and horns up, they butted against each other to push the other back in order to get across. With both horns’ locked, neither was getting anywhere. Finally, one decided that not just its head needed to be lowered, but its entire body. It bent its knees and laid down for the other goat to walk over it to the opposite side. Child, love would far rather bend down, than raise itself up. Love washes feet.

You know how much I love sitting in my big recliner chair that faces the street. From there I watch the children go back and forth to school. It’s like I’m watching the world go by. The funny thing is they can’t see me watching them from behind my lace curtain. I’ve witnessed many fights between those children, and often, it is over one trying to get back what belonged to them.

I remember one day two boys were fighting over a basketball. One of them threw it into my lovely rose bush, breaking it. How was I going to sort this out? The easy solution would have been to buy both of them a basketball. They would each have their own, but would that end their fighting? No. I realized it would only foster more independence, more selfishness, and even more conflict. I could also lay down the law and tell them how to conduct themselves on my property. This was not the answer either, as it would only force me to scrutinize their every move. Then they would probably fear me, rather than develop a healthy respect for what I value…

Love Well

When I arrived in Africa 16 years ago I would often hear phrases like “Go well”, “Stay well”, “Travel well.” Even in the Shona language, “Fambai zvakanaka” literally means “Walk good” but in its general sense, “Travel well.” Not that I adopt every phrase I hear, I did these ones because of the encouragement in them.

I turned 52 today and as I was contemplating what words of wisdom I would want to pass on, they would be quite simply, and yet so powerfully be, “Love well”. The last few days my devotions have been in Matthew 5 where Jesus is presenting some pretty big challenges to His disciples in the area of what it means to “Love well”. One of the challenges He gives is “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” It is only when we search beneath the surface of such a statement that we can understand it within the context it was written. At the time Jesus spoke these words the Romans had occupied Israel for around 100 years. Roman soldiers had the right to order Jews to carry their equipment that weighed around 100lbs or 45kg for one Roman mile that was equal to 1000 paces. The Jews loathed this law and would often mark off those paces and not carry the burden one step further. So here we have Jesus, a Jew, exhorting His Jewish followers to go beyond the call of duty or the requirements of the law. In this case it would be a challenge to love their enemies well.

For me, I view this as a call to “Love well” whoever comes across my journey. This is definitely something I haven’t done well in my 52 years. Only as I die daily to self and allow Christ’s love to live out of me am I able to see the possibility of what it means to “Love well”. Trust me, if you want opportunities of seeing the possibilities, and pray for those, He is more than willing to provide you with them. Then when you find yourself responding rather than reacting, you thank God for His amazing grace and mercy. When you find yourself giving, and not thinking of what you will get in return, you thank God for His incredible faithfulness. When you release words of encouragement and edification instead of words of blame and accusation, you thank God for the words of life He has spoken over you.

My prayer for myself, and those I walk with, is that we will never stop desiring to “Love well”.