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Monday, April 2, 2012

The man who couldn't jump


In most, if not all Nilotic cultures the people tend to be tall and slim. They have a very unique look to them. It can be very stoic and noble. But an interesting thing happens when Nilotes get excited. They begin to jump. As the excitement/happiness/joy builds they jump higher and higher. It is almost an involuntary action for them. A similar thing for westerners is clapping, for some reason we westerners clap a lot. someone tells a funny joke or does something silly we clap. We are often not even aware of it but this is what we do. Well, the Nilotes they jump. And believe me it can be a very impressive sight. When you have a man well over 7' tall jumping with all of his might into the air, it makes quite an impression.

While we were in Kenya, we met with  group of believers who were from the Samburu tribe (who are Nilotes). As they began to get into the worship their bodies began to bob up and down and before long they were leaping into the air. The women with their colorful necklaces and jewelry were all expressing their joy in Gods love and in knowing him. They had been adopted as his children, they were co-heirs with Christ...they jumped.

I was moved by their exuberance and I was filled with a desire to join them in this expression of joy. Unfortunately, since my injury in 2003 my body doesn't work like it used to. I can no longer run or jump. Those muscles simply do not work. In that moment my joy was turned to mourning. I will be working with Nilotes for many years into the future, and I have every reason to jump. I am a son of the King of Kings, I have been redeemed and made new by the blood of Jesus and I was given a task to fulfill a purpose for my life. I am truly full of His joy, but I am not able to express that joy in a way which it would be understood by any Nilote. I began to ask the Lord..."Why?"

I was deeply moved when immediately the Lord answered me in a very clear way. There was no pondering or silence, his answer was immediate. He said, "I don't want you to jump. Until that day that all have heard of my Son and have the opportunity to experience real Joy your feet will be firmly planted on the ground." I am sad for my inability to jump, but the Lord has turned that into a sense of urgency for the Lost. AND I am assured that someday, i will leap joyfully for the Lord.

Revelation 7:9-12 After this I looked and behold a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation from all tribes and peoples and and language, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying "Amen! Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving and Honor and Power and Might be to our God forever and ever amen!!!"    ...and there was this one strange white man in the back jumping up and down.     


2 comments:

  1. Are ya tryin' to make a girl smile, laugh, and cry all at the same time? Great post!!

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  2. I'm so excited to get to come and experience this and work along side you guys. Praying for you all.

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