You Must Be Out Celebrating?

For a moment, if you will, please lay aside your political views and partisanship. I want you to see some gospel from thousands of miles away on the southern tip of the African continent. Dr. Dottie Leveque is Pam’s sister-in-law who made most of the arrangements that made it possible for a group of us last year to travel to Cape town, South Africa to build a home through Habitat’s program and to visit and support a local congregation, a struggling school and an AID’s orphanage. She did most of this with the help of her good friends Trevor and Jo Tyers. The Tyers are no ordinary couple they both are ordained priests in the Anglican church of South Africa. They both were advocates against apartheid with Trevor serving alongside of Desmond Tutu and Jo boldly standing in South African streets protesting with the Black Sash a women’s group that was greatly harangued by apartheid supporters. These are brave souls who risked their lives in the name of Christ to rid their country of racism and unconscionable hate crimes against fellow human beings. As a group we were privileged to be in their company and to hear their stories.

Recently, Dottie was in town and we met for breakfast. During breakfast a warm grin spread across Dottie’s face and with a glint in her eyes she said, “I’ve got something you’ve just got to hear!” She retrieved a cell phone message and one by one let each of us listen to it. The message was from Jo and Trevor who wanted to share their enthusiasm over the election of Barak Obama the first African American president. They spoke of not only the joy of hearing the good news but were confident that they were unable to reach Dottie because she must be out celebrating! The pure joy in their voices echoed the feeling of victory they had felt when the walls of apartheid finally came tumbling down. They were veterans of the battle who shared the hopes a world undivided by racial or economic boundaries.

Such is the kingdom of God… such is the efficacy of the cross that breaks down the “dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:16).” Such is to be celebrated! This is beyond political prudence or party platforms. This is history that resonates with the gospel clarity of the old spiritual “He’s got the whole world in His hands!” None of us is outside His love and grace but are invited to become “one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).” Now, that IS good news! God bless America and God bless our new president elect. -DAN