What sort of Christians are we?
If we can’t trust the Lord to take care of our children, then what sort of Christians are we?
I have heard about the so-called “concerned parents group” in Durban, and its ongoing conflict with CTMI. I am grateful for the opportunity to share about my life and how the gospel of the cross, preached in all the CTMI churches, has kept my children and I, and brought us to where we are today.
It was in Bulawayo in 1997, when I first heard Miki Hardy preach at Selbourne Park Christian Center. I immediately knew in my heart this was Truth, and I wanted to hold onto it because I believed that it would change our lives. I also recognized that this message would cause people to give up their own worldly plans and dreams, give their lives fully to God, and allow Him to mold them and lead them into His plan for them. Coming from a religious background, where people associated Jesus with a crucifix and didn’t have a personal relationship with Him, this was like night and day to me.
My three children and I flourished in the church where relationships were spiritual first and not emotional. My children had strong role models, we always felt free to visit the pastors’ homes at any time (like Basil O’Connell-Jones’ who was one of the Elders), because there was nothing hidden about their lives. In 2001 we left Zimbabwe and moved to Florida. I tried many churches, but the preaching was often about prosperity and what God could do for us. I became even more convinced that what I had heard from CTMI was the Truth of the Gospel, even if it was a hard message to accept. Life for my children was so different; the worldly ways were far more evident in the USA than our protected life back in Zimbabwe. Only the Lord could keep and protect them from what surrounded them every day. How fortunate we were that via the Internet, we were able to download free messages from the CTMI website, this has been our spiritual lifeline for all these years.
Two of my young adult children have just been in Mauritius, having gone over for the annual CTMI conference and youth camp. Both have turned away from what the world has to offer them and have allowed the Lord to have access to their hearts, and are happy and serving the Lord. Both won scholarships to colleges here but have chosen to let the Lord direct them. I am sure that they will probably take these up some day if the Lord leads them in this direction, but for now He has them where He wants them and this is so reassuring to me. What a joy it is as a parent to realize that I do not have to stress about the future of my children. When we give Him our lives, God has the perfect plan, and as a parent concerned about their upbringing, this certainly takes away the worries that the rest of the world has. I can see the fruits in the lives of my kids, they are not worrying about their future, or about the boy/girl they are going to marry; it’s all in the hands of the Lord. What could I possibly have to fear with them being with the church in Mauritius? I am just so blessed that they are among strong believers, listening to messages that bring conviction to their hearts and always direct them to Jesus. I am truly blessed that they are in such a good place. This is the third youth camp that my son has attended and he has changed radically. People here in Florida have commented on what a committed person he has become. So many young people have been touched by his life, and they’ve decided to travel to Mauritius also.
When I think about that passage in Matthew 4:18-22, where Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to lay down their fishing nets and follow Him, I’m convinced their parents must have been a bit concerned, and even a little put out. They probably had plans for the boys to join the family fishing business. Thank goodness that the followers of Jesus didn’t wait to make sure everyone at home was OK with what the Lord had placed on their hearts. Where would the Church be today if they had! As concerned parents, we must ensure we do our best for our children, but at some point, we must let them go and stop having any expectations of them, especially when they become adults. If we can’t trust the Lord to lead them and take care of them, then what sort of Christians are we? My prayer is that my children will be used by God in whatever way He chooses. There is no higher calling, or anything else in this world that is more important.
As leaders, Miki Hardy and the Elders in the churches working with CTMI, even if they are not perfect, all lead given and surrendered lives. Many, many, people have come to know the Lord through them. They have all blessed me, and I am so grateful that Miki has stood firm with what the Lord has entrusted to him.
Go for it Miki, we are with you as you serve the Lord!
Kim S. – Florida, USA
Posted: February 25th, 2010 under Parents.