Sometimes it's amazing how unexpected things can affect us. To have a surprising conversation, to run into a friend thought long-lost. People may call these occurrences "coincidence", but as Christians, we are called to believe otherwise.
In all things, we strive to seek God. Daily reading of His Word and prayer in all circumstances guide and grow our faiths. We recognize that God works in many ways, "inscrutable" as Paul describes them in his letter to the Romans (Romans 11:33).
This is exactly the thought that crossed my mind after a fundraiser I recently attended for the burial of a well-known member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya who won his victory in the Lord. It is common to have fundraisers, or "harambees", in which a community pulls together to contribute or solicit funds to overcome a debt or financial goal. In this case, a great many expenses were incurred for the extended medical treatment of Matthew Ole Esho, and even more to receive his body after death and to prepare burial arrangements.
I was asked to attend this fundraiser and present a contribution from the LCMS at a congregation in Nairobi, and to give a brief address for why we offered the gift. I was somewhat apprehensive, knowing that I would be the youngest one in attendance and that many people might not acknowledge me like they would the elders, due to my age.
While I sat listening to the speeches and presentations from others in attendance, I found myself getting a bigger picture of Matthew. I had never personally known or met him, but the many ways in which he served others were apparent from the diverse group of people remembering him and his love of God and His Church. He was almost solely responsible for helping to bring the ELCK to the Masai in Kenya, his tribe. He helped to grow the church in this way, and save the souls of many.
When I presented, I reflected on how Matthew had helped the LCMS to send many missionaries to serve in East Africa and Kenya. Matthew first worked for the Department of Immigration, and was a just civil servant who never accepted bribes and discouraged this practice, which can be all too common when trying to complete work permits or citizenship papers. His selflessness and focus on vocation enabled others to serve far beyond his own influence and supported the work of the church. We, as the LCMS, were very grateful for his efforts, and while we mourned his physical death, we held onto joy in his victory in the Lord.
I was warmly received, and found it hard not to wonder about the legacy that I would leave behind should I die shortly after that presentation. Would the service I rendered for others be as strongly received? Would the things that I did against others eclipse the things I did for others? Feeling surprised to ponder such things and remember how young I really am, I couldn't help briefly wondering how much time I have been given.
Just as He worked in Matthew's life, we remember that the Holy Spirit works in our lives, guiding our actions and shaping us for God's purposes and service as His children through baptism. Some days it feels like the faults outnumber the victories, and we struggle to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances," as Paul urges the Thessalonians to do (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). At times it seems that Satan creeps so easily into the small, quiet place in our minds and insists that our baptism could not be enough to cover all of our sins. "Surely, something so easily done could not be as powerful and miraculous as God's Word says," he claims. "It has to take hard work, and who could say even then that you are really forgiven?" But he is wrong.
Paul reminds us that "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). In this passage in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul turns our eyes to Christ again and clears the distortion that Satan and the world place upon us in their insistence that our sins are overwhelming, and that our good works can "help" Christ clear us of our blighted human nature. Salvation by faith alone is not something that we as sinful human beings can naturally grasp, but
"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles..." (1 Corinthians 1:20-23)
Christ did that hard work for us on the cross. His work was and is, for all time, so much more thorough and good than ours can ever be. His righteousness was transferred to us to strike out our iniquities not through any merit of our own, but because of God the Father's love for us. That He would send His only-begotten Son as the worthiest sacrifice for all people, we whose "righteous deeds are like a polluted garment," is a profound act of love (Isaiah 64:6). Why God would give me such a gift lies beyond my understanding, but I do not question it, "for the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Like I said, it's amazing what can get your mind working. What really cemented this fundraiser for me was how one of the hosts, John, closed up the proceedings. He guided our eyes to the table at the front of the sanctuary where VIPs and special guests were requested to sit. He reminded us that, though many were asked to attend- local business leaders, members of Parliament and others- they did not show, even having given their word that they would send representatives if they were unable to attend. The table was quite empty. These people were asked because Matthew was a well-known and liked man, and surely they would be willing to give generously to support his family.
Disappointing as this note was, John said to us "But you all came. And because you attended and gave generously, we have met and greatly surpassed our goal. For this, I give thanks to God." This message amazed me, and reminded me that God works in ways we cannot comprehend. Those of us who had gathered were neither the most powerful nor the wealthiest people who were invited, but we came together, and our combined efforts met the goal.
Pamoja. Together, this word means in Swahili. The weakest link in the chain attempts to carry its burden alone. Praise be to God that we are never alone and do not have to carry our burdens of sin. We have been bonded to Christ forever through His saving blood and the waters of baptism.
