BE THE BRIDGE

I had the pleasure of attending a locally organized worship gathering which revived my spirit. The gathering focused on the seven expressions biblically attributed to Jesus during his crucifixion (Amazwi Asixhenxe) organized by the number one-rated community radio station in the Western Cape, Radio Zibonele FM .

I grew up in a strong Christian-led household. My late maternal grandmother was a member of the iWisile (Wesley) Women's Manyano for as early as I can remember. She attended and committed to the Thursday's Women's Manyano (another Women's Manyano is on Saturday, you choose based on your availability, but must commit to either days of the week). I hear when I was a baby my grandmother used to carry me on her back (andibeleke) and attend the Women's Manyano with me when my own mother, her daughter had other commitments. I believe that "ndiyaleziwe" I am divinely favored and blessed as a result.

A reminder that I have experienced the Grace of my creator way before I could comprehend. While Christian churches and individuals attended the event, it was beautiful to witness God's Era being unleashed and experienced holistically by those who attended and identified value in attending the worship gathering, which were made up of the radio station listeners from all corners of Cape Town.

We serve one God anyway. (my personal belief) Before I get into the crux of my latest article you need to know that besides experiencing 'church' from funerals, or from listening to radio Zibonele as influenced by my Mother, and online sermons I have not been to church for more than 5 years. The reasons why are not important to you, what is important is my message in this article which I am hoping you will identify alignment on some of the areas.

A quick fun fact: All books have Authors. Your favorite book has an Author. Now, as a writer myself, I understand that Authors relay stories according to their studies and/or research, their own experiences, and context. How they want the story to be received by the reader. Now, as readers, we can challenge the Author, agree, and sometimes disagree. This is no different from the Bible. Sometimes pastors/preachers will say "The book says" or "The author says" (uthi umbhali) and proceed to quote the verse or chapter referencing from the Bible, the Bible version they have read and/or studied.

While basking in God's grace and the sermon delivered by different Pastors, Evangelists, and Preachers I learned some nuggets, and there was no way I was going to miss an opportunity to share how relatable the Bible, and our attitude is to our daily lives.

Here are some of the lessons shared and explained below:

ENERGY VULTURES:

Some people generally have no peace, and there's absolutely nothing we can do about them. The have no positive words to say. They have gotten accustomed to being negative, gossiping, and demeaning about others and every engagement with them is draining. In fact, we feel a sense of peace when they are not around. The lesson here is to fully understand that there's nothing we can do about these people. As a result, we need to cut all ties with them and not waste our kindness or energy with them. We are encouraged to run from them and mute their notifications. They aren't ready to change.

BE OF SERVICE:

Religion teaches us to be mindful of going or being accepted into heaven. While heaven is supposed to be on earth. So, beloveds as God's children and Ambassadors in our professional disciplines we are mandated to be of service and value to others while we are still on earth. Using ability, intent, intellectual property, and other additional resources to support just one course.

Ask yourself, what is your agenda? What has God assigned you to do, to better serve his people on the planet? Our roles and Kingdom mandates aren't the same (Iminqamlezo ayilingani), before we were born it was already known in our Mother's wombs what our purpose is. Our role is to understand it and align our lives towards our evolving becoming.

1 Peter 4:10-11

Psalm 139:13-14 REPENT,

FORGIVENESS & ACCOUNTABILITY:

There are toxic and or bad habits that hinder our progress to become the best versions of ourselves. There comes a point in our lives as we heal, we become fully aware of what these are. Yet, we have grown a relationship with them knowing that they aren't good for us. It's from the friends we keep, the habits that give us temporary pleasure, or shrinking creatively knowing that we can be more. The first step is admission, forgiveness, accountability and then taking action. Review, reflect, and do better.

PACK LIGHT:

I hear God was a gentleman, and we were all made in his image. {Genesis 1:27} God cannot show up in clutter and environments that aren't conducive. We need to create safe spaces for ourselves in order for God to recognize us, to help us, and to function around us. Packing light means different things to different people. Create spaces where you can bond with God and have conversations with him. Pack light! Declutter. This includes forgiving yourself, and others for all the choices and/or decisions you made that have hindered your growth. Every day is an opportunity to start over. Take advantage.

Matthew 6:15

?CONSISTENCY SUPPORTS YOUR WORDS:

"Akungemi lomo yodwa" It's not by words alone. Part of being of service requires us to honor our word post-public announcements. We need to do as we say, or else there's no point. Consistency in applying is definitely a great deal to move past our right now and desires.

LEADERSHIP:

A plane transporting passengers needs a pilot. A business to go live and grow needs a CEO. Students do need teachers. A church needs a Pastor, each University faculty has a Dean, etc. Now, as we navigate we might be leaders or we might be led. We do need to surrender to either or.

?Types of Leaders:

● Self-elected: These leaders have nominated themselves to lead. They are usually fixated on their ways.

● Nominated: These leaders are nominated by public vote. Certain individuals and/or groups feel very strongly about the reasons supporting this leader to rule or lead.

● God's honor: These leaders have a purpose to lead. They haven't been nominated nor self-elected. God has put these leaders in leading roles. They might be questioned by the public on how much of a great leader they will be. Their mandate is to honor God first, then lead people. What leader are you, and which leadership will you allow to lead?

?BE INTENTIONAL:

Don't just move for the sake, guard the crowds you follow, and company you keep. The company you keep must be aligned with your agenda. You cannot under any circumstance do things 'just because' always screen your involvement. Some questions you can ask yourself are shared below:

• Why am I doing this?
• What am I hoping to gain out of this?
• Is this aligned with my goals and values?
• Is this God enabled?
• Where is this going to lead me?
• Do I have the capacity to contribute?

BE THE BRIDGE:

Recently a black female professional with over two decades worth of experience connected with me on social media to offer me a board seat. A board seat with an organization that is not only international but aligned with my professional pursuits. This is an online stranger who feels I am "all things ethical" and a current board member who saw it fit to nominate my name [Igama lam] and offered me a bridge to climb and reach greater heights for my next. I must admit how I aligned myself for this structure towards the end of 2023. It's for this reason as part of our human mandate, outside of our professional mandate we must mention our peers both in prayer and in rooms that have opportunities aligned with their professional pursuits. Sibayaleze abanye abantwana. James 5:16

?

I have recently learned how futuristic the bible is. In my view, the bible can be a great toolkit for our everyday lives and how we can best navigate some challenges and holds strategies that we can use to evolve and scale. It's for this reason that when we launch our ideas we need to envision them in the future. There must be an element of "ukuboniswa" (delusion) when it comes to your desires, as an entrepreneur, this is crucial. Because (my) your grand vision exists in the future and not right now!

You should give it a try as part of your reading objectives. I don't own a bible, I always read online. As part of my "buy a brand new book" campaign which went live in December 2023, I am adding the bible to my agenda. Not only to read but to read and understand.

I am in God's Era and If you find some kind of relation and alignment to this article, I ask in kind that you kindly subscribe, comment with your experience and share with at least 10 people in your network and ask them to do the same.

A reminder, UYALEZIWE! Walk on boldly, and do not dare panic about life's adversities, and understand that they will happen. Do not take this personally. When you are in God's Armor you don't take offense, you bask in the lessons. Philippians 4:6-7 "Kuzoba Right" - in the famous words of Rev. N. Malangeni, one of the Presenters of Zibonele FM, who co-facilitates the 'Uhlangulo Lomphefumlo' show.

Proverbs 16: 3

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Disclaimer: The views expressed are independent views of the writer and have not been influenced, nor endorsed by the hosting organization and radio station mentioned.

Busiswa Lutshaba