The Sunday Mail
Dave Broom and Ian Rea —
It is that time of the year when we ask about the rains. As the clouds build and then disappear again to reveal a scorching sun, we feel a visceral tension building within us. Will El Niño rob us of another rainy season and bring in another drought? The question is chilling.
There is little doubt that the El Niño cycle in the Pacific Ocean has a global impact on weather patterns. The implication that assumes that El Niño is entirely to blame for food shortages and droughts in our country is sobering. But is El Niño alone to blame for the drought in Zimbabwe? By answering this question with a “yes”, we imply that Zimbabwe is absolved of all responsibility for hungry people.
Is that true? For the moment, let us assume that we cannot be held responsible for the quantity and timing of our rainfall. Even if this were the case, we should still be taking responsibility for the way in which we have used our natural resources and how we have prepared for lean years.
Are we making best use of our arable land? Do our farming methods conserve moisture and soil? Are we growing drought resistant crops? Have our dams and irrigation schemes been maintained in good working order?
How many dams have been built recently? Has a surplus of grain been stored for drought years? Have some of the country’s earnings been reserved to import food when necessary? It should not be forgotten that Zimbabwe could feed itself in the past with food to spare for export.
There is no doubt that the sins of Zimbabwe have contributed to the current crisis. Although we might not be entirely responsible for the quantity and timing of our rainfall, we are still partly responsible. We cannot blame it all on El Niño. By saying that we are unable to influence the quantity and timing of our rainfall, we imply that the rainfall in Zimbabwe is controlled solely by the forces and processes of nature.
Is that true? We believe the opposite is proven by Deuteronomy 11: 13 – 15. In these verses it is clear that God linked the success of Israel’s agriculture, livestock production and economy – all directly affected by rainfall – to the level of righteousness and obedience lived out by the population.
In the words of the Psalmist: [God] turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there. (Psalm 107:33-34) So God is sovereign over the forces and processes of nature and may choose to withhold or release rainfall in accordance with His purposes.
Yet mankind is notorious for leaving God out of the reckoning. Rather than take God into account, we prefer to deny Him. We do this by explaining everything in purely material and natural terms or by inventing idols or gods to take the place of God. Materialism and naturalism may not seem like idols, but they are idols in disguise, for an idol is anything we use to replace the one true God who created the universe.
An idol, therefore, is used to explain life without reference to God. In Zimbabwe, it is thought that droughts are due to either El Niño or the ancestors. But will we recognise that God alone controls El Niño and the weather? Will we acknowledge that God can use El Niño as an instrument to further His purposes for Zimbabwe?
We would say with the greatest conviction that a drought should not lead us to throw up our hands in despair, absolving ourselves of all responsibility for our predicament and blaming it all on El Niño, climate change or global warming. These can all be contributing factors, but they are not necessarily the causes. Rather, a drought should lead us to seek God for what He has to say about the situation.
For this reason, let’s consider doing the following:
· Acknowledge our contribution to the crisis, repent and then call out to God who controls the weather for mercy and guidance. For the Bible says, “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord ; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me (Psalm 86:5-7).
· Encourage others to the same.
. Work out how you and the people you influence can promote righteousness and work towards averting future droughts and food shortages.
When is the rain coming? The ball is in our court.
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