Resonate Edition 36 | Page 6

When the Story Cuts Through

Intercultural Worker Melanie is amazed , but not surprised , by the transformation of her friend as she encounters the power of God ’ s Word .
Since Tim and I came to Malawi , teaching God ’ s Word has always been a high priority . We don ’ t teach at people , we learn with them . God ’ s word is alive , fresh and real . Every time we read it we learn something new . There ’ s a power in the Word that transcends , it cuts to the heart and penetrates even the hardest exterior .
Years ago , in the early days of our friendship , Mama Falida would sit next to me in the group speechless and wideeyed . She was a village girl who ’ d come to town and was overwhelmed . Feeling completely out of her depth she would try to satisfy her desire to know more but struggled with the insecurities she was feeling . I wondered if what was being said was getting through . Did she understand the story she was hearing ?
Over time , despite her never speaking up in the group , we watched the Holy Spirit work in her life . A spiritual rebirth was freedom for her and we could see her growing and changing almost on a daily basis . She learnt her value in Christ , she learnt to stand up for what she believed in and she began to tell others about the Good News .
As I visited with her one day recently , I shared my heart . Our friendship had grown through the years . I ’ d been there when her children were born , we ’ d cried at funerals together and celebrated through the good times unpacking what it meant to live in freedom .
I told her that I had been worried about the future , about coronavirus and the impact the restrictions were having on the community . I shared that I didn ’ t know what God was doing and I didn ’ t know how we were going to help so many if the predictions were right .
Mama Falida quietly sat and listened to my ramble , she didn ’ t interrupt and she didn ’ t make me feel at all uncomfortable . Instead , she nodded her head , laughed with me and let me finish . She then looked at me with a smile on her face , “ Pepani Mama , cikulupi cili kwapi ” “ Sorry Mama , but where is your faith ? Don ’ t you remember the story of when Jesus calmed the storm ? His disciples were all worried but Jesus was asleep . He didn ’ t worry because He knew God would protect and care for them . This is our story , this is what God is saying to us . Don ’ t look at the waves and the wind . Don ’ t look at coronavirus and the lockdown , look to Jesus .”
Mama Falida doesn ’ t have access to the world COVID statistics , she doesn ’ t know all the ins and outs of restrictions , nor does she know exactly how the virus is spread or the impact it will have . Mama Falida trusts Jesus with all her heart and reminded me to do the same . She used the very words I had taught her years ago to rebuke my doubt and boost my faith . She reminded me that God ’ s Word cuts like a knife and brings life and hope in a world that sorely needs it . resonate · issue 36 · page 5