Listening for the Spirit at Work
Yvonne Kavuo
Note: Yvonne Kavuo works for the Congo Council of Churches in HIV/AIDS Education. We worshiped at Pilgrims while participating in a special program at Georgetown University.
When someone dies unexpectedly there is a kind of disbelief that plagues those closest to the deceased for days or months you expect the person to open the door and walk into the room. My sister was promoted to glory 10 years ago when she was only 35. Four years before her death HIV had shattered her body. Trouble breathing one evening was the start of her life shutting down. During the hour before she completely shut down, she asked fruit delivered her last will. She said to me: I am going but I am filled with joy, continue looking after the many others who lay in bed like me. Look after my baby too, until she is independent enough to look after herself. Even though I was devastated by grief, these words went deep into my heart. They have been my constant companion, the trigger of a compassionate, active faith lived out in real situations for the last fifteen years. This testament triggered my passion to personally care for those who are infected by HIV and to children who have lost their parents. They have ignited my desire to motivate others to notice those who live in situations that force them to ignore the HIV virus, because they have so many urgent needs that are a threat to their immediate survival.
This story makes me imagine how Jesus’ disciples felt during those days when He was rose from the tomb. To see Jesus walk into the room where grieving friends had gathered shocked and frightened them. The resurrection turned out to be the center piece of Jesus Mission. In it Jesus proved that he was God, He came to earth to save humanity. The disciples had forty days with Jesus before ascension. It is during that period that he delivered his will and testament. What Jesus said during those final moments went deep into the heart of the disciples and were written and passed on. “Peace be with you. As the father has sent me, so I send you (John 20:21).
I am sure if we all knew we were living with a loved one who had appeared the days after their funeral and we were able to recover from shock and disbelief, you can be sure the things they say to us or ask us afterwards would be listened to with great attention.
As we look around us, around our neighborhood and at our workplace, around the world, we see earthquakes, storms and hurricanes, war, violence and poverty. Often we have mixed feelings in the midst of these challenges. Our vision is often blurred by grief, confusion, skepticism, discouragement and greed. Little do we realize that blurred vision makes our hearts wear comfortable shoes such that we are unable to feel the thorns that our neighbors are stepping on daily.
May the Spirit make our hearts take off their shoes. Only then can we come bare into THE PRESENCE which burns too bright and too close for ordinary vision.
