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Devotion: Things that happen under the sun

Columnists
During my jogging I observe and hear things that happen under the sun; some shocking and some difficult to fathom. To make the best use of time, I jog while listening to my audio Bible. My morning jog, depending on season, is usually just before 5am. I meet fellow joggers and some not really joggers […]

During my jogging I observe and hear things that happen under the sun; some shocking and some difficult to fathom.

To make the best use of time, I jog while listening to my audio Bible. My morning jog, depending on season, is usually just before 5am. I meet fellow joggers and some not really joggers but sprinters of both sexes and all ages and races.

The vegetable vendors will be going to Mbare to buy their stuff. Early kombis are starting or the drivers are coming to pick them from the owners. The ladies of the night are returning and the married guys that overslept at a prostitute’s place are now sober and sheepishly finding their way home.

In the evening some people are coming back from work to have time with the family. Some are dressing up to go to the pub, ladies of the night with that choking deodorant are off to work yet others are going to the church cell or section meeting.

The youths are smoking marijuana at the culverts. This is but a speck of what happens under the sun.

My issue though is not about running, but some of you need body exercise and you will do yourself great favour by reading Thembe Sachikonye’s article, “The reason I run” (NewsDay Friday November 4 2011). It made me see and hear certain things, good article, Thembe!

There are practices and habits that give you boldness, discipline, determination and focus in life. Let me help smokers, drug addicts and drinkers. Every smoker wants to quit, but they just can’t. I am yet to meet a smoker who likes smoking.

They may have liked it with the first cigarette, but not now. They are just bound and the devil has placed something inside the body that always craves for more cigarettes even if they are coughing their lungs out.

Don’t destroy yourself, seek deliverance. The preacher says in Ecclesiastes 1:14 and 1: “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” In life you should once in a while sit down with yourself and question your actions to determine if you are on the right track.

Every being was created by God as a free moral agent with the power to choose what he/she likes. God gave you the law of conscience that directs you to gauge the issues of life.

After all the mob psychology and peer pressure, go back to your closet and analyse everything and accept the good and leave the evil.

A certain married man told me that he came to grips with reason and held an extraordinary general meeting alone.

He said: “I drive one of the best cars, live in an affluent suburb. I can go out with anyone, drink anything and smoke anything, but what do I achieve?” Without an evangelist preaching to him, he is now living happily with his family.

Don’t wait for the preacher to tell you to stop the evil you are doing, preach to yourself. Stop and remember that God is watching you before you steal that mobile phone, wallet, rape that minor, sodomise that child, sleep with that man or woman. Listen to the whisper of God.

The other day I met some young boys and girls who wanted to try all forms of mischief because they had “finished” school. It helps me to get to some places where people don’t know that I am a pastor. They start withdrawing statements when I minister Jesus.

All you children that have finished writing your examinations respect your lives. Don’t indulge in these evils, you haven’t finished school. There is life ahead; live it before the world “finishes” you.

Some of you are in our choirs or praise and worship teams. Listen to your elders and fear God. Solomon tried everything including many wives. When you do evil, you are not doing yourself any favour, but the favour is being extended to the devil. Soberly consider your actions.

Take full responsibility of your life. Doing good and booking a ticket to heaven is not doing your pastor any favour, but you need the favour.

After all this, the preacher concludes in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

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All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. Follow Pastor Makarimayi on www.twitter/PEMAKARIMAYI and Facebook