I am not comfortable with A12 road, it is always busy with traffic. Tariro, my wife would shout at the top of her voice in Shona, our home language, ’musayenda ku’ or ‘main road’, meaning that I should avoid a main road when riding a bicycle. In Zimbabwe cyclists do not use main roads, it is very dangerous to do so. The other day I lost control of the bicycle, it had a puncture and could not balance.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, just like Saul, riding a bicycle requires continuous pedalling to maintain balance, so does living in community demand ongoing effort and engagement. The church’s mission involves not just preaching but also active participation in the lives of its members and ecumenical community. We thank God for all the work we are doing together. There is always a room for increase and improvement. I would even propose a multi-cultural day in our area as a way of reaching out to all the communities in our area with the love of Christ in action rather than words.
Multi-cultural community may not just mean different nationalities but would also mean different cultures within our nation. I hope you agree with me that balancing a bicycle is very crucial, without it one risks falling. In the church’s mission, maintaining balance would mean addressing both spiritual and pastoral needs.
The church needs to be practical in her pastoral work. Our churches together need to nurture faith, while also responding to the social, emotional and physical needs of our communities including programmes such as food banks, counselling services and outreach initiatives
Just as pedalling forward keeps a bicycle upright, so too does ongoing involvement ensure there remains a vital, supportive presence in the lives of those she serves. May you please read Acts2:42-47 and pray for the mission of the church that we remain balanced, moving forward with the message of transformation in our communities and beyond. We should not retire, give up or surrender. We were called to be Jesus’ disciples. Amen.