Arise oh women and men of God!

Dumi Mmualefe | Monday September 15, 2014 13:09

This is always an exciting day in the life of Batswana. It is a day we always look forward to, a day most of us do not even sleep; a day we all become friends of the radio and television as we await results from every constituency with bated breaths!

If one was to make lots of money on this day, that is, if he was to get royalties every time his song is played it would be my childhood buddy. This fellow was not a friend, he was a brother, in fact we were like twin brothers, so very inseparable that when my father was transferred from the London Missionary society Church in Palapye to go to the Lobatse one he and I got sick: literally! Unfortunately that time people did not understand that children could be stressed. That was in 1976 when I had to leave Central Primary school in Boikaego to finish my primary education at Ipeleng Primary school in Lobatse.

If you do not yet know who I am talking about, I am talking about this guy that I rate one of the most talented musicians in the region; this is none other than Joseph Morris. My brother, remember I told you if the almighty is to call you to the yonder before you do what you are blessed with, that is if that was to happen before I die, I will speak at your funeral with the heaviest of hearts and will find it difficult to forgive you for robbing this nation and people of this world of the musical talent God has bestowed upon you. Just a loving brotherly reminder!

From October the 24th our systems will be blurring with Joe Morris “Ditlhopho di tsile!” But once the polling stations are closed that will be the time everyone will be a lover of “ditlhopho di tsile.” When the sound of this song is heard, pencils, pens and pads are held, ready to record the council results and to add those already announced. Like most people I will not sleep. Unfortunately I cannot miss church service in the morning, but I know some will either because they did not sleep at night or they do not want to get the results second hand or better still both!

This year’s elections it has been proved will not be like any other. The atmosphere is thick, it is different. If politicians across the board, both ruling and opposition were to be honest, every one of them is nervous from the greatest to the last of them. We are all anxious; it is all in the air. Some people cannot even sleep at night, sugar levels are high, blood pressure levels are sky rocketing and stress levels so uncontrollable that some are bound to make decisions, do or say things they would normally not have said. Things they may regret the rest of their lives!

But does the church have the finger on the pulse? Do women and men of God read the signs of our times, can they decipher and discern what the Lord is saying during this important time in the history of this country. We cannot afford to behave in the “business as usual” mode. Now it is business unusual. The nation needs you for guidance and counsel.

Now is time to pray for our nation. It is time to pray for our leaders, all of them. We have to pray for H.E. LT. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, we have to pray for Hon. Dumelang Shaleshando, we have to pray for Mr. Duma Boko. We as a nation will stand or fall depending on what these leaders do or do not do! What they commit or omit at this democratic moment can break or make this nation! What they commit or omit may change our fortunes for better or worse for the rest of our lives.

Some of these belong to our churches but what pastoral role are we playing in their lives. What is God saying to us about them and their leadership? Or is God dumb that God cannot speak to the Church, or maybe the Church is too deaf to hear what the spirit is saying to the Churches?

A lot is happening at this important time of our history as a nation, a lot is being said, the question is, does it all work for the good of the nation? Does what is happening or said by whoever promotes the peace that we have over the years enjoyed? What is God saying to the churches in all this! I hear God saying “draw closer to me and hear what I have to say Botswana.” It is not for me to say what God is saying to you, it is for you to avail a listening and attentive ear.

The nation our politicians especially need counselling at this time. Some stressed politicians are our brothers, sisters and congregants and for them to function well they need the church. They also need the church for guidance lest they side step. They will be more to do after elections are held. We need to pray for peace and speak against any manner of violence that may threaten our tranquil. We need to impress upon all politicians in God’s name that violence knows neither perpetrator nor victim, that history has taught us that no nation ever recovers from it because of its cancerous nature.

I see a dark cloud! This cloud will swallow us all up unless the women and men of God rise up to their calling. This dark cloud we can stand up against and conquer. But we need God. We need to pray actively for the time before, during and immediately after elections. Only genuine pray, not flamboyant speech, grandstanding and triumphalism but pray with contrite hearts and utmost humility will see us through. “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7). To God be the glory.