Monday, 22 October 2018

Preparing for the 'big guy'!


Blog #46 - Preparing for the big guy!

October 20 was Mashujaa Day in Kenya - Heroes’ Day!  It is a public national holiday honoring those who contributed to the struggle for Kenya’s independence (1963) and those who have positively shaped the post-independence of the country.  People honor how independence has enabled the country to provide better opportunities and living conditions for its residents. Heroes Day also acknowledges Kenyans who have made significant contributions in sports, education, medicine, and in other areas.

This year, the town where I live, Kakamega, celebrated the occasion in fine style.  The President, Uhuru  Kenyatta and his first lady, Margaret Kenyatta, came to town – along with the Deputy President, the opposition leader, and guest President of Namibia, Mr. Hage Geingob - quite the entourage for this rural place. The weekend festivities included a major celebration gathering at the new local arena where the President gave the keynote address.  In his speech, he declared unity to be the spirit of the Kenyan handshake which must be emulated across all sectors.  Traditional dancers and choirs  entertained the crowd and one of our Salvation Army Territorial leaders, Commissioner Grace Chepkurui, participated with prayer. An air show of fighter jets by the Kenya Air Force wowed the residents while tons of food vendors were a great attraction to those who congregated to see the big guy! The town likely swelled by thousands over the weekend.

Leading up to the event, concerted preparations were quite visible for several months.  Road repairs galore, the installation of literally hundreds of street lights, embedded floral in the round-a-bouts, significant additions of shelter/sun shade space to the stadium, and a new fountain in the centre of town helped beautify Kakamega’s community image.  Presumably all paid for by the national government. The increased military presence, heightened police security, tons of colorful national and municipal flags flying, and lots of rehearsals for community groups and schools were among the final details before the big day. Near the end, you could almost feel the panic of last minute arrangements in town. Ready or not, here he comes!

In many ways, the measures taken were an asset to the area. Better road conditions, bright lights for evening traffic and travelers, extra visitors, first hand exposure to government officials, and a more visually appealing municipal ambiance for any newcomers. The weekend generated additional revenue for local businesses and potentially highlighted Kakamega as a charming place to live in Kenya. Obviously, the upgrades had its limits and did not address lots of other social and community needs. Some wondered if the large number of erected street lights could possibly have an adverse effect if electricity costs to run these lights propel a surge in power costs for the ordinary consumer.  (Perhaps not all the lights will be turned on after the holiday event). In any case, preparing for the country’s President has definitely been a rigorous and resolute labour intensive attempt to impress political dignitaries and will likely be the talk of the town for quite some time.

Observing this hustle and bustle begged a reflection for me about the coming of another prominent figure, a dignitary of a different sort, Jesus.  In the Christian faith, we believe that one day our ‘big guy’ will come (again) to town. (Please don’t mistake this light-hearted description of Jesus as sacrilegious or disrespectful).  The Bible teaches us that the promise of Christ when he ascended to Heaven following his resurrection was his eminent return. In John 14:3, Jesus promised “If I go … (and he did go), I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  Some years later, the apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thess. 5:16-17)

One of the differences between the coming of Jesus and the appearance of a prominent political leader is we will not be fore warned about the actual time & date. As a matter of fact, “in an hour when you least expect it, the Son of God will come back – like a thief in the night.” (Matt. 24:44) Our preparation days won’t be just for two weeks or two months.  More truthfully, it's every day. We do not have a date for Jesus return, though the bible does describe the kind of times we may be living in: “days of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). Sound familiar?  Question is, how do we ‘get ready’ for an arrival of such great magnitude that it makes the President coming to town seem mundane and inconsequential? I think it means we need to pay careful attention to how we live - every day.

Following Paul’s prediction of Christ's return, he gives us some pretty good advice while we wait. Various phrases from 1 Thess. 5:6-11 encourage us to  be alert … be self-controlled, put on faith and love as a shield, and the hope of salvation as a protective headdress ... encourage one another and build each other up.” Preparing to meet Jesus, whether at his official return to earth or the day when we die, is about putting into practice what He told us to do – love God and love others. Believe in and receive the gift of salvation. Then follow His example in how we treat people, including every effort to stand against evil and injustice. In other words, let’s expend our energy beyond what can be seen on the outside. Let’s do more than just embellish our image. Let's find ways to make a real difference.  Don’t be self-centred. Be aware (alert) to the reality of people around you (neighbors) and those across the globe. Put your faith into action.  

Notably, this is NOT about impressing Christ, for none of our ‘good works’ earn us a place at the table being prepared for our eternal feasting. Faith alone in the unmerited grace of God is the only way into His presence. It is not an outward beautifying effort. It is a preparation that begins (and ends) in the heart and translates into a living, active faith.

In many ways, I am grateful that the coming back of Jesus is an unknown day. If I was given a date when I would leave this world or the date when Jesus would show up on my door step, would I potentially be as frantic as the hired workers I’ve seen in Kakamega the past two weeks? Would I be scurrying against the clock to ensure everything in my life was ‘in place’? Would I be panicking about what I had left undone? Maybe - though I'm sure I would not get it just right.  Instead, because his return is an unexpected one, I get a new opportunity, a fresh chance, every day to carefully and prayerfully prepare my heart and live my life in honor of His grace to me.

Ready or not, He’s coming.


Karibu (welcome) to Kakamega! 


Prep work - by hand


Crowds at the stadium - some like the lime light!


Celebrate Kenya!


Artistic flare! 


And the dignitaries ...










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