Umshavela Wokuphila Kwakho

Ukulwa KwekaYimpilo Yakho

Genesis 32:22-32

NguDavid Felker

Sicela nivule na njengesikhathi neBhayibheli lakho kuGenesis isahluko 32; Genesis 32. Kutholakala ekhasini 27 eBhayibheli lebandla eliphambi kwenu. Futhi ngaphambi kokuba sifunde, into okufanele icatshangelwe. Ukuphila kwami kwashintsha ngonaphakade njengengane ngenxa yokuthi ubaba wangeneza kwifilimu engiyintandokazi yakho yonke isikhathi engiyibonile kungenzeka izikhathi ezingama-923, iHoosiers. Futhi imayelana neqembu le-basketball lesikole esiphakeme sase-Indiana, iHickory Huskers. Futhi ngiyayithanda ifilimu. Njengengane, ngayithanda ngenxa yokuthi iphousa umncintiswano phakathi komuntu oyedwa nodrako, umncintiswano phakathi kukaDavide noGoliathi. Futhi ngayithanda ngenxa yokugcizelela eqenjini kunomuntu oyedwa. Futhi ngayithanda, yiqiniso, ngenxa yokuthi umculo wayo ungumculo omuhle. Kodwa njengoba ngikhule, ngiyithandile kakhulu. Futhi kungenxa yokuthi ibuza futhi iphendula imibuzo eminingi, yemibuzo yeqiniso, mayelana nokuhlengwa, mayelana nothando, mayelana nokulutha, mayelana nobungane.

Kunezindikilo eziningi ezimangaza kuwo, kodwa umbhali wefilimu uyabona ukuthi luyafundisa ngoshintsho. Ngabe ushintsho luyenzeka? Ngoba kukhona leqembu le-basketball elincane lase-Indiana eligcwele uk pride nabantu ngabanye. Futhi ubuza, “Ngabe bangaba yini? Iminyaka yabo iphezulu kangakanani? Bangafika kude kangakanani? Ngabe bangazithoba ngokwanele ukuze babe ngakhethekile?” Futhi kukhona loqeqeshi omusha, uqeqeshi Norman Dale, yena owafika enesikhathi esidlule esingaqiniseki kodwa unikezwa ithuba lesibili. Futhi ucabanga, “Ngabe angashintsha? Ngabe angahlukahluka? Ngabe isikhathi sakhe esidlule singaphulukiswa?” Futhi kukhona umuntu odakwa wasekhaya, uShooter, oqeqeshi Dale anawo umuzwa omuhle. Futhi mhlawumbe ngenxa yezinto zakhe siqu, wamenza uqeqeshi wakhe osizayo nohlobo lwakhe olwethembeka. Futhi ubuzwa, “Ngabe uShooter angahlala edilishe? Ngabe angaba ngcono? Ngabe angaba yini? Ngabe angaba nguyise olungileyo nonethembeka inhliziyo yakhe ingakudingi?” Futhi kuwo wonke umbhali wefilimu, ufuna ukubona lezi zinto zenzeka. Ufuna ukubona ushintsho. Kodwa leqembu el pride nabo uqeqeshi enezinto siqu nomuntu odakwa wasekhaya baphukile. Futhi bonke bayalimala. Futhi bonke bayahamba bengakampela ngezindlela ezihlukahlukene. Kodwa umbhali wefilimu uyavela; umbhali wefilimu uyavela njengendaba enhle yoshintsho. Ngiyathanda i-Hoosiers ngoba ikhumbuza inhliziyo yami ukuthi ushintsho luyenzeka.

Ngabe Ushintsho Luyenzeka?

Nokuthi uyibonile le filimu noma ungayibonile, lokho kuyavumelana nathi ngoba omunye wemibuzo ebuhlungu kakhulu umuntu angayibuza uthi, “Ngingashintsha? Ingabe ukushintsha kungenzeka?” Wonke umuntu ubhekene nakho. Ngumbuzo ojulile kakhulu wokwazi ukuthi mhlawumbe ubuza ngokuqiniseka kothile empilweni yakho. “Ingabe bayashintsha?” Mhlawumbe kukhona umuntu omthandayo okudingeka ashintshe futhi ubuza, “Ingabe bayashintsha?” Kodwa uma ukujwayela ngokuqiniseka, ngumbuzo ojulile kakhulu wokuthi “Ndingashintsha. Kudingeka ngibe ngumuntu ohlukile. Angikwazi ukuhlala njengami.” Futhi uyazi, ungacabanga ukuthi kungaba lula kakhulu ukuzishintsha. Kufana nokuthi mhlawumbe kunzima ukushintsha umndeni wako. Kufana nokuthi mhlawumbe ukhona lapha futhi umndeni wakho uxakekile futhi umndeni wakho uphume kontrole futhi kunzima ukushintsha umndeni wako. Uyazi, abafundi, mhlawumbe zikhona izinto nge-esikoleni sakho ezingalungile. Kunzima ukushintsha esikoleni sakho. Zikhona izinto ngezenzo zethu nobungane. Kunzima ukushintsha izinto esizazi ukuthi zidingeka ukushintshwa ngezenzo zethu nobungane. Kodwa ungacabanga, “Yebo, kodwa me ngingashintsha.” Futhi yinto enzima kakhulu.

Naye njengoba ukhula, ngiyacinga, njengoKrestu, uyathatha umfutho. Ungathatha umfutho wakho siqu sakho ungase uthatha umfutho we ngxubevange ekhona phansi. Namasiko nezidakamizwa nokuziphatha okungavamile kwenhliziyo yakho. Yini okufanele ukwenze ngalowo mfutho? Yilowo umbuzo. Uyagula ngokushintsha. Uyafuna ukushintsha. Kodwa awunayo ideya yokufeza njengendlela yangempela nesehlala isikhathi eside. uGenesise 32 ngomunye wamaphasiwidi engiyathandayo eBhayibhelini. Ngumlando womuntu oyagula kakhulu oyisiphambeko esikhulu. Ngumuntu oyagula kakhulu oyisiphambeko esikhulu futhi ukulwa nokuphila kwakhe. Lokhu kuyisikhathi esibalulekile sokuhlangana emgwaqweni kaYakobe lapho athola khona ukuthi ulwa noThixo. Lokhu kulwa nokuphila kwakhe futhi yilapho uYakobe ashintshwa khona. Ngakho makasinike ukunaka kuLwazi lwaThixo. Ngaphambi kokwenza lokho, masiye kuye ekuthandazeni. Masithandaze.

Bawo, siyabonga ukuthi Ungumngani waboni. Siyabonga ukuthi Ungumandla ekuthamameni. Sithandaza ukuthi Ungasikhulula ekulindele kwethu kule ekuseni ukuthi sisekhona nje ngomunye uSonto. Bawo, ungasisiza ukuba silindele ukuhlangana naWe? Ungakhuluma, Moya waThixo, ungakhuluma ngami, Moya kuya moya? Sithandaza egameni likaJesu, amen.

uGenesise 32, eqala emavesini 22. Lokhu kulwazi lwaThixo:

Iyo busuku u [Jakobe] wavuka wathatha umkakhe womibili, abancelwane bakhe abomibili, kanye nezingane zakhe eziyishumi nanye, wawela umfula iJaboki. Wabathatha wabawela umfula, nawo wonke umtakahe. UJakobe wahlala yedwa. Umuntu wamelana naye mpaka ekuphumeni kwelanga. Umuntu akabona ukuthi akamunqobi uJakobe, wathinta isigaxa sendo yakhe, isandla sikaJakobe sapuka njengoba wayemelana naye. Wathi, “Nkosi, khulula, ngoba ilanga seliphumile.” UJakobe wathi, “Ngeke ngikukhulule uze ungibekele.” Wathi kuye, “Uyini igama lakho?” Wathi, “Jakobe.” Wathi, “Igama lakho nelo liyakuwa, lena, u-Israyeli, ngokuthi usilwele noThixo wena namadoda, wawela.” UJakobe wambuza, “Ngicela ungitshele igama lakho.” Wathi, “Kungani ubuza igama lakho?” Wamsa uJakobe khona. UJakobe wathi igama lendaweni iPeniyeli, “Ngoba ngibonile uThixo ubuso nobuso, nokho umphefumulo wami usindisiwe.” Ilanga lavuka kuye njengoba edlula iPenuweli, ekhubazekile ngesandla sakhe. Yingakho kuze kube yilo lwanje abantu bakwa-Israyeli bangadli ithambo lendololwane elise esigaxeni sendo, ngoba wathinta isigaxa sendo sikaJakobe kwithambo lendololwane.

Ili yizwi likaThixo.

Khu ngifuna thina sicabange kule ekuseni njengoba sibheka le mpi edumile phakathi nobusuku – uJakobe uphuma eshintshe. UJakobe uhlukile. UJakobe umusha. Futhi kungenxa yempi entsha. Futhi kungenxa ymotivation entsha. Futhi kungenxa yesimo esisha. UJakobe unawo empimpi entsha. UThixo uyayenzela. UThixo uyaphazamisa. UThixo uyasiza. Kune motivation entsha. UJakobe ushintshelwe ngaphakathi nangaphandle. Izinyakazo nezenzo zenhliziyo yakhe zihluke. Futhi kukhona isimo esisha. UJakobe ulimele waya ekhubazekile njengoba ilanga likhazekela kuye.

Empi Entsha

Kwayo-ke, into yokuqala esiyibonayo – impi entsha. Yicabange ukuthi kucuphe kakhulu; uJakobe ukuthunzini. Mhlawumbe isikhashana esifushane, angabona amathoshi ekude njengoba umndeni wakhe uwela umfula. Uyabona eveseni 23, uthumile konke okwakhe ngapheshe emfuleni. URakeli, umfazi awayemthanda, wayekhona. NoLea, umfazi wakhe wokuqala. Izingane zakhe, izincelemba zakhe, izilwane zakhe – konke okwakhe wathumila, konke ngaphandle kwakhe. Ivesi 24 lithu ukuthi uJakobe wayedwa yedwa ekuthunzini. Uyakhumbula ukuthi ushiye umcle Laban yakhe yena ekuya ekhaya. Umntwana owahlanya uyabuya! Nganzima, de facto, uJakobe, umntwana owahlanya epharabaleni kaJesu, kukhona ukufana okuningi, okuningi epharabaleni le ndaba kaJakobe eGenesis 32 no 33. Kwayo-ke uyabuya ekhaya. Kuyabukwa. Kuyabukwa nomshanaqani wakhe owakhohlisa, uEsau. UJakobe wamtshontsha uEsau imali yakhe, ifa lakhe, umbuso wakhe, noEsau wabika ngalolo usuku ukuthi uyambulala uJakobe. Kusukela ngalolo xesha, uJakobe ushadile kabili, ube ngubaba wezingane eziyishumi nanye. Ube ngumuntu omicebile nomphumelelayo, kodwa wayengakaze abhekane nokwedlule kwakhe nanje sekumfikele. UJakobe wathumela umyalezo kuEsau, ivesi 3, ukuthi uyabuya ekhaya. Siyatshelwa eveseni 6 ukuthi abathunywa bakaJakobe, babuya, bathi, "uEsau uyasondela ukukuhlanga nawe 400 abantu naye." Kwayo-ke kunjalo, ivesi 7, uJakobe uyabesaba; uyacindezeleka.

Ukubuyisana noma Ukuliphalaza?

Naye sibona enza into esingakaze siyibone yenze ngaphambili. Emavesini 9 kuya ku 11, uYakobe uthandaza umthandazo oshubile kunazo zonke empilweni yakhe. Uthandaza umthandazo oshubile kunazo zonke empilweni yakhe. Yiwumthandazo omde kunazo zonke encwadini kaGenesise. Futhi unika ubufakazi obucacile bokuthi manje ungowakwaNkosi. Naye uthumela isipho ngemva kwesipho ngemva kwesipho ngendlela kaEsau, ethemba ukuthambisa inhliziyo yomshanawe. Ngoba umbuzo oxabisa kakhulu ngu: "Ngabe uEsau uyakufika ekuthuleni ukuze axaphe? Noma uyakufika empini ukuze aziphindisele?" Yibhizinisi eliphakathi kokufa nokuphila ukweba isibusiso, nanjalo – ukuxapha noma ukuziphindisela? Yilowo umbuzo. Naye uYakobe uphambi, ebubini. Ukhona ebumnyameni. Ukhona phakathi kwedwala nendawo eqinile. Ngemuva kwakhe ukuLabani. Akakwazi ukubuya kulowo msebenzi. Futhi uNkulunkulu wayesethi kwisahluko 31 verse 3 ukubuya ekhaya. Akakwazi ukubuya. Futhi phambi kwakhe uEsau nabantu bakhe abayi 400. Nanjalo uYakobe uhlangabezana nesimo angazi ukuthi asenzele sona. Kusa ekuseni yusuku lwezinga, ukuphela kwempilo yakhe. Ukhona esangweni lokufa. Yile yubusuku obumnyama kakhulu kuYakobe. Akanazo njongo; akanazo izinhlelo. Akanazo izikimu; akanazo izinqubo. Udinwe izikhwama zakhe zobuqili; ukhona ekugcineni kwakhe yena kanye nalapho, verse 24, lo muntu ongaqondakali ufika kuye kulesi senzo sokugcina futhi ambambatha kuze kuse.

Ukubambathana noNkulunkulu

Kukhona isingeniso kuye, lo muntu ongaqondakali. Uvela kunzulu naphi futhi uhlasela uJakhobe, ulwela naye. Ulwela noJakhobe. Lo yisithombe uRembrandt ayependa. Lo yisithombe esikhulu ekuphileni kukaJakhobe. Lo mkhondo wonke ubusuku wokulwa ngenxa yempilo yakhe. Futhi kusobala kusukela kwenye ingxenye yendima yethu, imisebe 28 no-30 ikakhulukazi, nencazelo encane eNcwadini yaseHoseya isahluko 12 ukuthi lo akamuntu ojwayelekile. Kuthi lo uyisibonifestiwo kaThixo uYena. I-Incarnate yangaphambili uNkulunkulu uJesu Kristu, omlondolozile wathi akubambile uJakhobe. Futhi lokhu kusinika isithombe esingaphuthelwa. UJakhobe elwa noThixo uyisithombe sokuphila kukaJakhobe konke. Konke ukuphila kukaJakhobe bekulokhu kuthi uThixo ulwa noJakhobe. Futhi lapha, kusobala kakhulu ukuthi uJakhobe ulwa noThixo.

Uyazi ukuthi kukhona indaba engiyicabanga ngamanye amaxesha ngomuntu ogama lakhe uRobert Robinson. Futhi wagibela inqola eLondon wahlose ukuba yedwa. Kodwa kwasiphambana naye kwakukhona umfazi omncane owayephethe ezandleni zakhe incwadi yezithunywa. Leyo yincwadi encane yemithandazo egcwele izinkondlo nezihlabi nemithandazo. Futhi uRobinson akazange azizwe ethetha njalo bahambe ngokuthula imizuzu embalwa. Futhi umfazi omncane waphula ukuthula. Wajikisa incwadi yasiphambana kwathi wathi kuRobinson, "Kufanele ufunde lokhu. Lawa mazwi mahle." Futhi uRobinson wavula incwadi wathi wafunda lawa mazwi, "Hamba wena font yim blessings, tune my heart ukuze ucule UmGrace wakho." Futhi ubuso bakhe bawa. Futhi lo mfazi angabona ukushintsha kobuso bakhe kwathi, "Sawubona, uyawazi lawa mazwi?" Futhi wathi, "Bakazi, ngilobele lawa mazwi iminyaka engaphezu kwamashumi amabini nanhlanu, futhi ngingazinika izinkulungwane zezwe ukuze ngizizwe namuhla okwazizwa yingemuva. Ngingazinika izinkulungwane zezwe ukuze ngizizwe namuhla okwazizwa yingemuva."

Mhlawumbe ukhona lapho ekuseni, futhi njengoRobert Robinson, sekuyisikhathi eside kuwe. Sekuyisikhathi eside kusukela kwakungathi just about wena noNkulunkulu. Sekuyisikhathi eside. Futhi ubizikhathaza kakhulu futhi mhlawumbe ubiwe kakhulu ukuthi ungavuka futhi ucabange, “Ngingafika kanjani lapha? Ngingafika kanjani lapha? Ngingasuka kanjani kude kangaka enhliziyweni kaNkulunkulu? Ngingalithola kanjani eli qhwa? Futhi zonke izinto esizenzayo – ukushumayela nokuthandaza nokuthandaza, konke lokhu kushiya inhliziyo yami icaba kakhulu. Futhi icabanga kakhulu futhi ibanda.” Yini omele uyenze ngalokho? Uyazi, mhlawumbe ekuseni uNkulunkulu uyakuqhudelana phezu kwesigcawu. Mhlawumbe uNkulunkulu uyakuliphatha inhliziyo yakho ngendlela ayiphathayo inhliziyo kaJakhobi. Noma mhlawumbe uyenzile. Mhlawumbe ulwenzana noNkulunkulu kulo lonke usuku. Kukhona umkhondo enhliziyweni yakho futhi ubuzana lezi zibu, “Kwa ngani? Kwa ngani Nkulunkulu? Kwa ngani Ungaletha lokhu ekuphileni kwami? Kwa ngani Ungavumela lokhu kwenzeke? Lokhu kunzima. Kwa ngani Ungakususa? Impilo ekhona phambi kwami akunakuba yinto enhle.” Ulwenzana noNkulunkulu. Ulwenzana noNkulunkulu. Lokhu kunika umfanekiso phambi kwethu wokuqhudelana phakathi enhliziyweni yomuntu noNkulunkulu. Intando yami ibhekene nentando kaNkulunkulu. Amaphupho ami nezifiso zami ibhekene nezikaNkulunkulu.

Jakhobi ulwenzana noNkulunkulu yindlela uNkulunkulu asebenza ngayo. Singafunda into ethile kule njongo. NjengoTim Keller asho, "UNkulunkulu kwesinye isikhathi uyakwazi ukulwenzana nathi ukuze sikushintshe impilo." Uyafuna ukushintsha? UNkulunkulu kwesinye isikhathi uyakwazi ukulwenzana nathi ukuze sikushintshe impilo kunokuthula nathi ukuze sikushintshe impilo. Ngothando, uyakwazi ukulwenzana nathi, futhi ngothando, uyakwazi ukulwenzana noJakhobi. UNkulunkulu uyamthanda uJakhobi. UNkulunkulu uyamthanda uJakhobi. Akekho ongangamsusa uJakhobi ezandleni zaNkulunkulu. Futhi yindlela uNkulunkulu ayemthanda ngayo ukuthi uyakwazi ukulwenzana naye ukuze amushintshe impilo. Lokhu yinto yokuqala esiyibona.

Ukukhuthazeka Okuhlukile

Into yesi-ndlu yethu sibona le mpi iqhubeka njengokhuthazo olusha lukaYakobe. Ngakho phakathi kwale mpi, uThixo ngobubele Bakhe, Uyabonakala enza into ethile noYakobe njengoba ubaba enza ngayo lapho elwela nendodana yakhe ngoba kukhona le mpi phakathi kukaYakobe noThixo. Lokhu lokhu ngaphambili nangaphambili. Futhi khona phakathi kwako, uThixo wenza into ethile. Uyafinyelela ekhanda lakhe wamthinta wabangela uYakobe ukuba alimale emhlangeni wakhe emshazini 25. Yindawo eqine kakhulu emzimbeni womuntu noYakobe ulimele khona. uYakobe ulimele ekhazikambuyu. uThixo uyamphula uYakobe endaweni yakhe eqine kakhulu.

Ukuphula iNdawo Eqine

Kuyindawo enjani leyo kuwe? Indawo yakho eqine. Kuyindawo enjani leyo kuwe? Into othi iyakunika ukuphakama phezu kwesibusiso; into othi ku-CV yakho iyakunika ukwamukelwa nesibusiso othemba nesiso. Into oyisebenzisa ngayo njengomwetha ukuze kukunike umuzwa wokhazikambuyu? Kuyindawo enjani leyo kuwe? uYakobe ulimele khona. Ulimele ekhazikambuyu lakhe yingoba uThixo uyaphila ekhanda lakhe. USinclair Ferguson, ekhurumini yakhe emangalisayo kule ndima, uthe, "Uyabona ukuthi ukuze athole inhliziyo kaYakobe, uyabona ukuthi ukuze athole inhliziyo kaYakobe, uThixo ulungele ukuphula umhlanga kaYakobe? Uyabona ukuthi ukuze athole inhliziyo kaYakobe, uThixo ulungele ukuphula umhlanga kaYakobe?" Ngabe uke waba nawo umphilo wakho uphume ekalini ngenxa kaThixo? Ngabe uke waba nawo amapulani akho noma amaphupho akho aphulwa? Kungaba yinto ebaluleke kakhulu ongayizwa kule ndawo – ukuthi indlela ekhanda lakho, njengoba uFerguson ethe, iphakathi nokuphula into ethile okwenza ube namandla. Indlela ekhanda lakho iphakathi nokuphula into ethile okwenza ube namandla. Kuyindawo enjani leyo kuwe? Yilokhu uThixo akwenza noYakobe.

Naye uyabona, kukuheha; kukuheha. Ngoba ekugcineni nangokokuqala, uJake waphuka. Wonzwa ngenkani yakhe, umuzwa wakhe wokuzethemba wonzwa, um pride wakhe wawothulwa. Akakwazi ukuzenza lokhu. Akakwazi ukulawula le mpi. Unikwa injakazelo ezo mvimbela ekunqobeni ngenkani yakhe. Uyabona, sonke sifuna ukushintsha, sonke sifuna ukushintsha, kodwa akekho kithi ofuna ukulimala. Sonke sifuna ukubabuswa. UJake uthi lapha, “Ngibusise.” Sonke sifuna leso busiso. Sonke sifuna ukubabuswa. Kodwa akekho ofuna ukucela. UJake lapha ekugcineni nangokokuqala unesifiso sokucela. Uthi, “Angikuyeki uze ungibusise.” Ngoba umBhalo uthi emva kokulimala, um verse 26, ukuthi uNkulunkulu uthi kuJake, “Kufanele ngikuyeke ngaphambi kokuphuka kwelanga.” Kwaye uNkulunkulu uthi, “Uma ubona uzuko lwami, uma ubona uzuko lwami, ngeke uphile.” Yilokho okuqhubekayo. UJake uthi, “Angikuyeki uze ungibusise.”

Iphuzu Lokuguqula

Uyabona, lapho le mpi yaqala, lapho uJake waqala ukuhlaselwa wenza njani uJake? Yini i-game plan yakhe? Yini i-attitude yakhe? Yini isimbo sakhe? Yini i-motivation yakhe? Lapho uJake waqala ukuhlaselwa, wasebenzisa yonke i-stubborn self-sufficiency yakhe nayo yonke i-manipulation yakhe nayo yonke amandla akhe ukuze abaleke. Uyabona iphuzu lokuguqula lapha. Okuwukuphela kwakhe kukhathinta emhlangothini, uJake waba yingane encikile. Waba yingane encikile. Bonke ababhali bithi iphuzu lokuguqula, lapho uJake azi ukuthi uNkulunkulu, kwaba verse 25 lapho uJake athi, "Angikuyeki. UNkulunkulu, ngicela ungiyeki." Uyabona, kwaba ngomzuzu wobuhlungu kwaba ngomzuzu wokuthweakeka.

Derek Kidner, ekuchazweni kwakhe okudumile ngoGenesise, uthi, "lapho uNkulunkulu ethinta isokisi likaYakobe kwaba ukunqotshwa nokunqoba konke okuhlanganisiwe." Kuthi lapho uNkulunkulu ethinta isokisi likaYakobe, kwaba ukunqotshwa nokunqoba. Kwaba ukunqotshwa nokunqoba ngoba impendulo kaYakobe ekulimaleni, impendulo yakhe ekubandlululweni okungalungile okwathi uNkulunkulu wakuletha ekuphileni kwakhe, kwaba ukunqotshwa okuletha ukunqoba; ngoba kuko, uYakobe unamathela kuNkulunkulu. Kulo kunqotshwa, uYakobe unamathela kuNkulunkulu.

Uyabona, isiqubulo sikaYakobe sonke ubuntu bakhe zaziwa ngalezi zwi – “Angikuyeke ngaphandle kokuba ungibusise.” Infuneko yakhe, isusa sakhe sokubusiswa kwaba yingqikithi yubuntu bakhe. Futhi uyabona, amazwi afanayo kodwa incazelo ihluke ngokuphelele. “Angikuyeke ngaphandle kokuba ungibusise.” Uyaziwa lezi zwi? “Nkulunkulu, musa hamba. Musa ungishiya.” Uyalambha uyakha phezulu kuNkulunkulu. Ufuna okuningi kuyeNkulunkulu. Lokho ndilo olwenzekayo kuYakobe lapha.

Uyazi ukuthi ngikhuluma ngendodana yami, u-Marshall, ngezikhathi ezithile uma ngifundisa. U-Marshall uneminyaka emithathu nengxenye, ukusekhulile, futhi ngokuvamile uma ngizilungiselela ukuphuma ekuseni noma lapho ngifika ekhaya kusihlwa, sinesinto esiyenzayo ngokuphindaphindiwe lapho u-Marshall ebuka umke wami, umama wakhe, aze athi, “Baba, lowo ngumke wami yena lowo ngumama wakho. Lowo ngumke wami yena umama wakho!” Futhi uyazi, lezi yizinto ezinjengalezi njengomzali okufanele uzilungise! Futhi ngiyambuka u-Marshall futhi ngokuvamile ngimphonsa embhedeni noma kusofa noma phansi bese njengathi ukulwa nokumtickling aze athi, “Mfana, wena kufanele uqonde lokhu – yena ngumke wami yena umama wakho!” Futhi sihleka nje sihleka sihleka kakhulu kunalokho esake sahleka ngaphambili. Futhi ngokuvamile kuphela ngendlela engaqondakali. U-Marshall uvame – siyakubuyisana siyakubuyisana u-Marshall athi, “Baba, ungakhulula izicathulo zakho.” Athi, “Baba, ungakhulula izicathulo zakho.” Futhi kuthathe isithandathu nje ukuthola lokho ayekusho. Futhi siyakwenza lokhu njengoba ngizilungiselela ukuphuma ekuseni noma njengoba ngifika ekhaya kusihlwa. Futhi lokho u-Marshall akushoyo, uthi, “Baba, sicela ungahambi. Sicela uhlale. Sicela ungayi. Baba, sicela ube ekhaya.”

Uyazi lawo mazwi? “Nkosi, musa ungishiye. Nkosi, ndawuya kuhlala.” Mhlawumbe ukhona apha namhlanje ekuseni futhi ufuna ukushintsha, ufuna ukuhluka, ufuna ukutsha. Udinwe kakhulu yena uqobo. Udikwe yinhliziyo yakhe. Ukhathele izono zakhe. Ukhathele ukunyakaza kwakhe kude noNkulunkulu. Unesifiso sokugonwa nguNkulunkulu. Unesifiso sokuba noNkulunkulu abe yindawo yokucasha kuye. Unesifiso sokuba noNkulunkulu angamshiyi. Unesifiso sokuba noNkulunkulu angamshiyi. Uyazi ukuthi kusho ukuthini ukuthi, “Musa ungishiye, Nkosi. Angifuni lokho imithombo ebhrokenayo enokunikeza. Angifuni ukuchitha imali ngalokho okungeyona isinkwa. Angifuni ukusebenza ngalokho okunganelisi. Musa ungishiye. Nika Jesu. Ekuseni uma ngivuka, nika Jesu.” Futhi ubona, ngalawa mazwi kwivesi 26, siyazi ukuthi ushintsho senzekile. Lo kaYakobe omusha. Uyindoda eshintshile. Uhlangane nobuso nobuso noNkulunkulu ophi futhi manje ubambezeleka Ngaye ngokuphelelwa yithemba.

Inew Identity

Ningiyakubuka nje ekushintshaneni okwenzeka emavesini 27 kuya ku-29. UThixo uthi evesini 27, "Uyini igama lakho?" Futhi kwabasebenzi bakudala, igama liqukethe okuthile kokuhawukela kwomuntu owathwala igama. "Uyini igama lakho?" Uthi, "Ungubani?" Omunye umbhali wathi, "ukusho igama lakho ngumsebenzi wokuziveza." "Ungubani?" Futhi uYakobe, uyazi, usho izinto eziningi – "umgrabi-waphansi; umkhohlisi; umdayisi." Futhi iminyaka kamuva lapho umprofethi uJeremiya ebhala omunye wemichazelo edume kakhulu yenhliziyo yabantu, uthi, lokhu yivesi 17 verse 9, "Inhliziyo ikhohlisa ngaphezu kwazo zonke izinto yadla ngokugula." Igama elihunyushwa "kukhohlisa," lokhu igama likaYakobe. "Inhliziyo uYakobe yadla ngokugula." Futhi igama lakhe yivuma yakhe. Uthi evesini 27, lokhu yivuma yakhe yesono, "Yakobe." Futhi um благословение ubona evesini 28, um благословение awamkayo igama elisha; yobuntu obusha, irekhodi elisha. Ivesi 28, "Igama lakho liyeke ukuba uYakobe, kodwa u-Israyeli, ngokuthi usilwele noThixo wena namadoda uphumelele." Lokhu yigama elihle. "Zonke izinto zakho zidlule, Yakobe, lokho akusekho kuwe. Ubuntu bakho, Yakobe, akusikho emgwaqweni wakho; akusikho ebhadalaneni lakho. Awuso uk shame. Awuso ukwedlule. Kodwa ubuntu bakho, Israyeli, iku kuqinisa kukaThixo." UThixo uyasilwa. UThixo uyasilwa. UThixo uyaphumelela. Futhi ubona, lokhu kunika Yakobe kunika thina, othandekayo kuKristo, indlela entsha yokuba nendlela entsha yokuphila. uYakobe ungumuntu oshintshileyo kusukela ngaphakathi.

Isimo Esisha

Kwaye ekugcineni kanti okokugcina futhi kafushane kakhulu, isimiso sikaYakobe. Ngingathi isigcawu esihle kakhulu yisigcawu sokuthi uYakobe uyaxhuga evesini 31. “Ilanga lavuka phezu kwakhe njengoba edlula ePenuweli, exhuga ngenxa yomnqonqo wakhe.” Ubona kukhona yona yisilonda sakhe sayo ngesihe. Lokhu isimiso somuntu oshintshiley. Lokhu isimiso sokuphila kwesikristu – ukuxhuga ukuhamba kwalabo abaphilisiwe ngumsebenzi kaThixo. Unayo i-limp? Unayo i-limp?

Abengi benu bayazi lokhu, kodwa eminyakeni emine eyedlule umama wami waxilongwa ukuthi unomdlavuza we-ovary. Futhi lesi sikhathi sokugcina sibe sesikhathi esithokomele. Uhlala eStarkville yena wenza ukwelashwa kwakhe lapha eJackson yena uphila nathi isonto lonke njalo ngesonto lesithathu. Futhi ngabantwana ababancane kanye nomama etown ukuze akwelashwe, indlu yethu ifana nekhefu ngalawa masonto. Futhi kunosuku oluningi lapho umama esenza kahle, kodwa kunosuku oluningi lapho umama, afike ekugcini kwakhe amandla. Futhi enye yezinto umama azikhulumile kakhulu ukuthi ufunde kangakanani ngothando lukaNkulunkulu ngaye ngokunakekela kwakhe umyeni wakhe ngaye. Futhi nina, uthi, njengosuku lomshado, nina, “Ngikhangele, ngagqoka isigqoko esimhlophe, izinwele zami zenziwe.” Njengokuthi, “Ngijabulile! Sinezimpimpi. Sinamapulani. Sinempilo ngaphambi kwethu.” Njengokuthi, “Ewe, uyangithanda.” Kodwa embhedeni wehospitals kanye nezinsuku ezimbalwa emva kwekhemo kanye nalapho ngihlala embhedeni usuku lonke, njengokuthi wayazi ukuthi, wayazi ukuthi uyamthanda, kodwa nje ucindezela ekhaya, “Ewe, uyangithanda.” Futhi uthi ngalokho, ukuthi ufunde ngothando lukaNkulunkulu, ukuthi lokho kwenze umdlavuza waba yinto eyigugu ngaye. Wayazi, kodwa kwamshayela ekhaya, “Akukhona ngokuthi ngiletha etafuleni. Kodwa ngokuthi uNkulunkulu aletha etafuleni lami ngoJesu.”

Unalinyonga? Uyazi, umbhali oyedwa uthe, “Qaphela abantu abathandeka kubo, qaphela nabantu abanomona.” Unalinyonga? Uyaguli? Uyaphuka? Yileyo ndlela yokuphila kwabantu abakholelwa kuKristu – amadoda nabantu besifazane abathonywe umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu ezimpilweni zabo, babalekezelwe ukuxhuga phansi kwesandla esinamandla sikaNkulunkulu, bathobeke phansi kwesandla esinamandla sikaNkulunkulu, babalekezelwe ukuxhuga benze kucace ukuthi babona ubuthakathaka babo nokuthi bancike kuNkosi. Yini le uyenzayo ngalo? Uma ukhona futhi okwedlule nob shame yemuva kwako naluguquko lwakho lwe Esau namadoda akhe ayi-400 lisephambi kwako, uyazi ukuthi umshayeli wezinkondlo uthe, “Psalms 46” (Psalms 46, NIV11) Uyazi ukuthi leso sihlabelelo siphela kanjani? “UNkulunkulu kaJokobe, UNkulunkulu kaJokobe ungukhuseli wethu.” UNkulunkulu kaJokobe ungukhuseli wethu. Futhi uma engenza yena ukhuseli kaJokobe, khona yena angaba ukhuseli wethu. Amen, yile iLizwi likaNkulunkulu. Masiye kuye ekuthandazeni.

Yaye Baba wethu onguNkulunkulu, sithandaza ukuthi Ungasithakasela ngezindaba ezimnandi namuhla, ukuthi Ungasihlangabeza phakathi kokuhluleka kwethu, nokuthi Ungasibonisa ukuthi ukushintsha kungenzeka ngenxa yUbubele bakho. Futhi sithandaza lokhu egameni likaJesu, amen.