Kuwa Mtengeneza Tofauti

Jambo moja ambalo lilinivutia sana kuhusu Mtume Paulo lilikuwa ni ufikirio wake wa kutafakari ili kuleta mabadiliko badala ya kutoa hoja. Bila shaka, Paulo alikuwa na malezi mengi katika dini ya Kiyahudi na, bila shaka, kulikuwa na imani na maoni mengi ambayo alihisi sana. Ikiwa umewahi kusoma Agano la Kale, UNAJUA kwamba Mwisraeli angetetemeka kwa wazo hilo la sanamu. “Usiwe na sanamu za kuchonga…” Kwa historia hii, Paulo anafanya kitu ambacho si Wakristo wengi wa Kiyahudi wangefanya. Paulo aliamua badala ya kutoa hoja, angeleta mabadiliko!  

One thing that stands out to me about the Apostle Paul was his thoughtful consideration to make a difference rather than making a point. Paul obviously had a rich background in Jewish religion and, no doubt, there were many beliefs and viewpoints that he felt very strongly about. If you’ve ever read the Old Testament, you KNOW that an Israelite would shudder at that thought of idols. “Thou shall not have any graven idols…” With this background, Paul does something that not many Jewish Christians would have done. Paul decided rather than making a point, he would make a difference!  

Luka anarekodi tukio la ajabu la Paulo huko Athene katika Matendo 17:16-34. Katika kifungu hiki Luka anabainisha, “Paulo alipokuwa akiwangoja huko Athene, alifadhaika sana kwa ajili ya sanamu zote alizoziona kila mahali katika mji huo.” Paulo anafanya uamuzi muhimu katika hatua hii. Anaamua kutotoa hoja kuhusu sanamu zote anazoziona. Badala yake anatumia sanamu kama fursa ya kumleta Kristo kwa Waathene. Anatafakari na kufikiria juu ya msingi wa kawaida alionao na wasikilizaji wake. Na hatimaye anapata fursa nzuri ya kuhutubia hadhira kubwa mbele ya baraza kuu la Athens.

Luke records a wonderful scenario of Paul in Athens in Acts 17:16-34. In this passage Luke notes, “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.” Paul makes an important decision at this point. He decides not to make a point about all the idols he sees. Instead he uses the idols as an opportunity to bring Christ to the Athenians. He ponders and thinks about the common ground that he has with his audience. And eventually he gets a great opportunity to address a large audience before the Athens high council.

Paulo anajenga madaraja matatu ili kuunganisha wasikilizaji wake na yeye mwenyewe:

1. Anawapongeza kwa kuwa wa kidini.

2. Huzungumza juu ya Mungu Asiyejulikana.

3. Wanawaashiria Washairi wao - “Sisi ni kizazi chake”.

Paul builds three bridges to connect his audience with himself:

1. Commends them for being religious.

2. Speaks of the Unknown God.

3. Points to their Poets - “We are His offspring.”

Kwa hivyo, mimi na wewe tunapaswa kufikiria. Je, tunafaa kuhukumu tunapowaona watu wakifanya mambo yasiyo ya kimungu, au tutachukua wakati kutafuta mambo tunayokubaliana na kuyatumia kama fursa ya kumleta Yesu kwao?

So, here’s what you and I need to think about.  Are we apt to judge when we see people doing ungodly things, or will we take the time to find some common ground and use it as an opportunity to bring Jesus to them?

Unapowaona watu wasio na makazi, unataka kuleta hoja au kuleta mabadiliko katika maisha yao? Unapomwona mtu ambaye ni nadra sana katika mahudhurio yao ya kanisa, je, 'unamfuta' au unajaribu kuleta mabadiliko katika maisha yake? Wakati mtu anapambana na dhambi fulani, je, unahukumu au unaleta mabadiliko katika maisha yake?

When you see the homeless, do you want to make a point or make a difference in their lives? When you see someone who is infrequent in their church attendance, do you ‘write them off’ or do you try to make a difference in their life? When someone is struggling with some sin, do you judge or do you make a difference in their life?

Kufanya tofauti ni ngumu; inachukua muda; na inahitaji uwekezaji katika maisha ya watu. Nina hakika kwamba ndivyo Paulo alivyoishi maisha yake. Nina hakika ni jinsi Bwana wetu Yesu aliishi na watu waliokutana na njia yake. Swali la wewe na mimi kuuliza ni, "Je, nitachukua njia rahisi na kutoa hoja au nitachukua muda kuleta mabadiliko?" 

Making a difference is hard; it takes time; and it takes investment in people’s lives. I’m fairly sure that is how Paul lived his life. I’m positive it’s how our Lord Jesus lived with the people who came across His path. The question for you and me to ask is, “Will I take the easy way out and make a point or will I take the time to make adifference?”

Andy Weeks, © CDMI