Slavery, freedom and deliverance

I find it beautiful when I get a chance to reflect, to turn the eyes inward and to introspect. It is said that we are most like God when we forgive. I also feel that we are most equal in vibration with the elements when we are in the place of consideration of what binds us together as humans.

As humans… As people, we are all the same. We have the same needs, same build and structure, same fundamental makeup. Nevertheless, we are unique and different, interesting and talented in our own way. Why then – is there negativity, poverty, selfishness, racism, abuse and problems in the world? In our country?

I enjoyed such a moment of reflection when I listened to a tape by Myles Munroe yesterday. Even if you are not a fan, or a follower, its a great listen. It is titled “The power of purpose, the power of vision.” As a black person, I have to say… It is great to hear such great words of purpose and encouragement from one of our own. Anyway – a short line that he mentioned caught my attention. It is just something that we, South Africans should share amongst each other.

Munroe spoke about a book where he unpacks slavery, freedom and deliverance. Now I know nothing about these, but it just struck a chord and is so relevant to our nation.

Many of us are trapped in slavery. Not physical, but emotional or racial or cultural or mental slavery. And when 1994 came – yes, it brought freedom. This freedom was, I believe, expected to heal divisions, to bring us together in reconciliation, to make all our problems and historical legacy go away. And for a while it did. We did well.

President Mandela saw to it. We did well as a nation politically, economically, in sport and otherwise. We started having conversations about who we are, what we did, and the kind of future we wanted. We were, for a while, a RAINBOW NATION.

Sadly, as a nation, we never finished our conversation. We never understood that the newfound freedom would not become deliverance unless we walked the full path. And over time, the understanding that freedom is never free should have been build. It never was – at least, not to the right level. Deliverance is probably the most perfect form of freedom – where we take courage and responsibility and action within our freedom to move towards the perfect national union that we commonly aspire to.

Fellow South Africans – white / black / whomever – we need deliverance. We need to engage. We need action that shows our understanding and commitment towards this democracy. And we need to do this positively and constructively.

We need to take this freedom and work hard to free ourselves from the things that still keep us in slavery and inhibit our true deliverance. It will be hard work, with much against us. And when we do it, imagine what we will become.

Let us do it – the power is in our hands! Let’s learn and grow together. Let’s acquire vision – not with our eyes, but with our hearts, hands and feet.