South Africa for JESUS!

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, 

The world and those who dwell therein.

Psalms 24:1 NKJV

Of course I would never argue that South Africa forms a part of the earth, it’s just that, I would not immediately link this Psalm and the glorious reality that it conveys with what I see in this part of the earth, in South Africa. Generational poverty, criminality, joblessness, hopelessness, fear… These are the words that so easily come to mind when people talk about my country. And they are not wrong. Often, people would mention the latest shocking, saddening news event and say, “shame, the days are getting darker…” And they are not wrong. 

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:3-4 NKJV

Recently, as I was rereading this well-trodden, famous part of the Bible, I noticed something for the first time. When God created light (should that be Light?), He didn’t banish darkness completely (though He will do that in the New Creation [Rev. 22:5]) but He chose to look at the light, He saw the light, that it was good. Even though darkness was still a thing, God saw light. Shouldn’t we? 

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV  

(emphasis mine)

Talk about a famous quote from Jesus: you are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know those words. And yet, somehow, they became alive to me afresh recently. See, for a while there I stepped into a massive hole thinking that being a Christian is something I am for my sake, that, being a true Christian meant getting God to do my bidding, that that is “successful” prayer, answered prayer. And this is a big issue that I cannot address here. Summed up, I realised Jesus wasn’t Jesus for Jesus’ sake, therefore, I am not to be me for mine (Phil. 2:5). You see, we are the light of the world. If we are missing, there is no light! And hereby I am not implying we are anything, only that He is everything and through His light radiated through us (think of the son and moon), we get to be who He is in this world. 

This thought really challenged me. What if South Africa belonged to Jesus? What if, I started to notice and intentionally look at the Light, despite the presence of darkness? What if I would give my life, as my Saviour did, what if I would live my life in a way that reflects the Light He has shone in my heart (2 Cor. 4:6)? What if the light of Christ, carried in this earthen vessel, could brighten even just a bit of darkness around us? See, I am convinced, South Africa belongs to Jesus. 

For this reason, we have decided to start to create apparel that proclaims God’s love for and over our beautiful country. And we are starting with our South Africa for Jesus! Cap. Everywhere we go, we want to be a fragrance of Christ (2 Cor. 2:14), we want to proclaim this truth, South Africa for Jesus! 

You are so welcome to preorder your cap here.

God bless you. God bless South Africa!