The Sunday Mail
Pastor Tinashe Zinyemba
The Christian Youth
ZIMBABWE turns 36 tomorrow.
Let’s take some time to pray for our nation and to thank God for keeping us so far. Were it not for His hand on us as a nation no one knows where we would be.
Zimbabwe’s future is bright and you are the instrument God is going to use to put Zimbabwe on the spotlight of development and advancement in Africa and beyond. As it is Independence week, we will work with the word “independence”.
The word can be defined as freedom from control or influence of another or others. Most young people look forward to being “independent”. That is probably because the belief is that one will be working somewhere and be earning a salary hence no dependence on someone giving you money, or you can stay out for as long as you want without answering to anyone, or maybe you can do whatever you want with no one questioning you. In truth if you are to ask many adults they would rather go back to the days that they were dependent on someone else to make the decisions that matter in life and would rather someone else paid for all the bills.
Let’s look at some Biblical examples. David is a teenager when he is introduced in scripture. In 1 Samuel 17, David famously takes on Goliath and kills him after declaring God will fight on his behalf. We all know the story: David is hunted down by Saul and survives. He writes significant portions of the Psalms during this time, all the while acknowledging God. But when he becomes King of Israel and is very successful, David starts not really trusting in God but rather depending on his own ability.
In 2 Samuel 24, David begins to trust in himself even more and begins to be “independent” of God and calls for a census so he can know how strong an army he has. David was now living “Independent” of God. This so-called independence resulted in 72 000 deaths.
Sometimes we become so confident in our abilities that we stop relying on God for guidance. Perhaps that is why we do not eventually get to where we want to. The life of a Christian is never an “independent” life. Yes, you are independent of the devil and the demonic world, however, John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
However, you must now be fully dependent on Christ for everything.
Dependence means “the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else. Therefore, as a Christian do not be independent of God but be “IN-DEPENDENCE” of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
There are many who are tackling their problems and weaknesses from their own understanding. Maybe it is an addiction, or a career choice or even the choice of a wife or husband.
In this week of independence take time to reflect on your life and ask yourself who you really depend on when push comes to shove.
What principles do you live by? When making decisions who are you seeking to impress? What has been the end result of the major choices you have made? The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness… ”
This is what Paul says in the same verse after this revelation “ . . . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Paul chose to be weak just so God could work through him. Trust in the simple instruction of the word of God concerning your situation. Believe me, all situations are found in the Bible.For example “do not be unequally yoked, be humble, talk less and listen more, follow the advice of elders, do not be lazy, do not think that you know it all, acknowledge your faults, . . .” the list is endless.
Today my encouragement to you is to be totally dependent on God. That only comes when you have a relationship with Him and you actively seek to obey His word. That is the best way for you. Till next week, God bless.
Tinashe Zinyemba is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Feedback at [email protected]
