Life in the New South Africa

One of the pastors at church was carjacked this week. My guess is that he drives a mid-size sedan of some sort. He talked about being especially glad to be in the service this morning, because having a gun pointed at your temple during the week gives greater meaning to being in the house of God on Sunday to give thanks.

I’m constantly amazed at the lack of respect for human life and personal property that I see and read about here. It’s a common fact of life here that you could be held at knife or gunpoint for your cell phone or watch. It’s not unheard of that someone is shot or stabbed for their cell phone or the 20 Rand note (about $3) that may be in their pocket.

What has brought the people in this country to this point? And, why doesn’t the government feel the need to do something about the lawlessness that abounds here? Why don’t the people who are tired of living in fear and intimidation rise up to say “enough is enough”? Maybe they’re too tired from fighting Apartheid and racism or too comfortable in their little corner of the “New South Africa”.

I have a sneaky suspicion that many in the general population feel that there’s nothing they can do ... especially the women. The culture here dictates that men are the leaders, to be followed no matter where they lead … even if they lead to destruction. Women aren’t even at the place of beginning to claim their “rights” as individuals, even though they are largely the backbone of this society that keep families together and provided for. They’re just trying to make it one day at a time in spite of the odds they face.

There are so many things about this continent that make no sense to me.

Even in the midst of the craziness, God continues to break my heart for this nation and its people. There are so many people that are innocent bystanders … especially the children who are growing up seeing a warped life modeled to them. I’m glad that I get to be a small part of God’s light into their darkness.

God has said that He is my protector, and I trust Him. I pray that I am not faced with this level of craziness, because I’m not sure what my response will be.