Nougat 16

Greetings all.

I apologize for the delayed nougat. I am currently at the UN Commission on the Status of Women and World Council of Churches is partnering with AfriAusi LEAC to showcase the work of Rising STARS, young innovators, primarily girls, making waves. The event, titled Girls on Fire has the youth speaking for themselves as well as for members of the wider community whose voices have been muted. I will share the link for the recording as the event is in process as I type.

Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Siblings, I urge us to treasure our children as they have so much to teach us about God and life. Can you imagine that God *chose* to share God’s message of grace through children?! This says to me that we ought to safeguard our children and youth, and also listen to them. For who knows, their words and actions may be a message for us from God.

I think of two young people in our biblical stories who’ve helped us to see God’s love, strength and glory in their lives and actions. Perhaps you might remember the young girl who was captured by Naaman of Syria (2 Kings 5). She extended God’s grace to Naaman and his wife by directing them to Elisha the prophet for his healing from leprosy. Her response lives Jesus mandate to do good to them who despise us, a commandment that many of us might find hard to emulate. Folks, God’s still working on me re forgiveness and I’m not so sure that my response would be as gracious. I sometimes feel I’d say ‘let him continue to rot’. Her recommendation led to Naaman’s conversion, one of the few Gentiles to meet and accept God in the Old Testament.

Then, there’s that generous young boy who donated his lunch to Jesus and His team when no one else would. I recall a friend being traumatized by the thought that the disciples ‘stole’ the boy’s lunch. Then being even more impressed that Jesus multiplied this food. His act of generosity resulted in the miraculous feeding of 5,000+ people. Again, we see God at work through this young man. How would you respond in that crowd?

These are but some of the young people who’ve transformed the course of biblical tradition and subsequently, impacting our lives.

So, which youth do you know of who need our support to amplify their voices? What have you learned from them? Siblings, may we be open to the revelatory move of God’s Spirit through our youth.

Shalom & Salaam

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May all we seek be found in Christ