“Nazareth never defined Jesus”
The expected happened. Furious was an understatement to describe Kevin’s reaction
to my confrontation. He exploded with anger and told me to leave. I knew I was a
transformed person when I did not resort to my old ways of dealing with conflict! Having packed my bags, I left upon his insistence.
As I headed home that night, the famous “Why me?” question and deep emotional turmoil were like reckless waves constantly beating against my mind. Resentment and rage slowly flooded my heart, and without thought, I took a dangerous shortcut to get to the bus stop.
TRESPASSERS, BEWARE
Along this path, I missed a step, slipped, fell, and ended up at the bottom of a hill. Now it was not only my ego that was bruised. The Holy Spirit wasted no time in reprimanding me: I was letting the situation get the best of me.
“Anger rests in the bosom of a fool”: this scripture came as a swift reminder, hitting me like a rock, right there on my face while I was on the ground.
I realised that Kevin wasn’t the only one trespassing beyond the way and will of God. It was time to acknowledge the truth about myself. I had been compromising: trading convictions for earthly comforts, and had almost been mauled by “bad dogs.”
Finally, I began to consider, “Why don’t I appreciate my life, my family, my home? Why not spend more time with my siblings?” While I don’t have the ideal family, I do have a family! I started asking God to forgive me for being ashamed of where I came from and for ignoring the friends and family with whom I had shared many priceless childhood experiences.
God really has a way of ordering situations in a person’s life to shift their perspective to His. He sure did that for me, as the rest of my journey home became filled with thanksgiving for pointing out to me the error of my ways.
The next day, I decided to call Kevin to apologise for leaving in anger and also to talk to him about the dangers of his choices. I was adamant about doing this, regardless of what his response would be. His cell phone rang without answer, so I decided to call the home phone. To my surprise, his father (my pastor) picked up. He explained he had to return from overseas suddenly because Kevin had met in an accident. The news was shocking. Kevin and Simone were returning from a club and were speeding when they collided with a cyclist who died on the spot. Simone was admitted to hospital in critical condition. Kevin only suffered minor physical injuries, but he was devastated.
CONFESSIONS
Pastor picked me up on his way to the hospital, and with tears in his eyes he told me of his awareness of Kevin’s drifting from Godly principles and that he had been praying for him to change. He also shared that he saw me as a positive influence in Kevin’s life and best of all, he saw me as his son! Iinstantly felt that hard place inside my heart melting, that place that was so wounded from the blows of being fatherless.
He continued to say he understood that my decision to confront Kevin would upset him, but he was disappointed that I had not trusted him enough to confide in him when the issues started. Nevertheless, he admitted that he could not have imagined what was going through Kevin’s mind that made him angry enough to kick me out of the house.
As a true father and man of God, my pastor proceeded to feed me with wisdom which was an echo of all God had shared with me on my way home the previous night. “God is something else,” I thought to myself.
On our arrival at the hospital, I could see confusion and fear written all over Kevin’s face. He cried and began to air everything he had kept bottled up in his heart. His confession was that he only wanted to explore what he thought was the “good life”; that the forbidden seemed to be so much more appealing and that he was like a mad man at school, living out all that was in his imagination. He said this was intoxicating because at times he realised he was going further and further, but he just could not seem to stop.
To avoid being stereotyped, he also hid his identity as a pastor’s child as he was tired of being scrutinised by the entire neighbourhood and church; trying to live up to their expectations was too much of a hassle. But now, his resolve to be himself and avoid “playing the role” had ended horribly; and in utter brokenness he cried, “This is not the real me!”
Pastor met Kevin’s anguish with a strong embrace, causing me to remember the Bible story of the Father and the Prodigal Son.
As I stood there listening to Kevin, I realised how ironical life could be. I had wanted Kevin’s life (particularly, a nice home in a desirable community and the security of both parents being present, financial stability, etcetera) to the end that these aspirations had become my idols. On the other hand, Kevin wanted to explore some dark aspects of my former lifestyle (partying and sexual immorality).
JESUS WAS ALSO FROM THE GHETTO
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. John1:45-46
This entire experience taught me to really appreciate and be grateful for life regardless of circumstances. It also confirmed the truth that it does not matter where a person is born— from the ghetto to the hills, we all need God in order to be contented, have right perspective, and by extension fulfill His purposes within the boundaries of the habitation He appointed for us. (Acts 17:26)
Jesus, God in flesh, our ultimate example, not only humbled himself to live on earth, but was raised in a place that was not regarded by men. This however did not have bearing on His self-esteem, neither did we see Him spend His life with a focus on seeking to gain earthly wealth and creature comforts. He was obedient and committed to the agenda of His Heavenly Father, shining His light wherever He went.
God’s ways are really not our ways, so we have to choose to trust Him by letting Him direct our lives. Though the path He chooses may be difficult, as long as we let Him lead, it will always be the right one. These are lessons I will never forget and hope that you will retain them also!
Are you living in the ghetto? Don’t be offended. There is a glorious call and need to be a witness of Jesus right where you are.
Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again Believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away. James 1:9-10
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We pray that you have been strengthened by this three-part fictional story from Passion and Purity, a school-based Christian ministry that caters to mainly high-school students from uptown, downtown, and deep rural communities.