To live, happily, in South Africa today is a tough job. There are constant threats to financial security, physical safety, and political stability - to name a few. The effects of these are marginally minimised by economic wealth and ignorance, but truthfully, you can't really escape all that's going on here right now, and many people are feeling a strong desire to move away.
We are no different. We have looked at four countries in particular - two for their family-raising appeal; two for their close proximity to loved ones that we miss dearly. But we have stopped looking, for now. Admittedly, the main reason we haven't moved yet it because the doors haven't opened. Still, there is definite lesson behind this, and that is what this post is about.
We now believe that it is quite possible that it is not in God's plan for us to move now. If it were, the doors would have been flying open for us. After all, we are both suitably qualified, and we've been investigating these options, applying for jobs, speaking with agencies and consultants for nearly five years. And it's not all about God's no meaning that we are to struggle for a while to build character.
On the contrary, I have been reminded, a number of times over the last few weeks, of prophesies spoken over this nation, and they are exciting. Some of these include: having a currency that rivals the strongest in the world (which I know seems impossible currently), experiencing a spiritual revival that begins at the tip of Africa (which just happens to be Cape Town - where we live), and God bringing healing and restoration to our nation (much like the miracle that was experienced when apartheid was abolished).
As pie-in-the-sky as this may seem to some, we are witnessing many possible beginnings to this, and that's exciting to be part of. And when I think of South Africa restored to all her beauty, there probably isn't any other place in the world we would rather want to live.
If things improved we would be able to live more comfortably; our money would go further; we'd be able to take our boys to experience the different adventures in our city and beyond; we'd not have to work as long or as hard (most people have to supplement income) without a healthy life-work balance; we'd not worry about having more children; we'd be able to travel to visit the people we long to see...
If things improved those who presently live in poverty and desperation that drives them to anger, crime and violence would have the possibilities of a better life, and no one would have to live in fear. We could look after our collective resources, and create opportunities for people to release and live their dreams...
I know this comes at a cost. We cannot expect God to move without what is required of us, so I am reminded constantly of this verse:
"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to
devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who
are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
If we truly believe that God is sovereign, and that He does not lie, then we have to believe that what He has promised to achieve in this land is going to come to the fore. And if we are meant to be part of it, this is where we are meant to be. For now, anyway.
For everything there is a season ....
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