Blessed to pen down my Story of Change. As I was reflecting on the Psalm of life and salvation, which we were encouraged to write, I was reminded of the three streams that flow through this sacred song – each bearing witness to God’s presence in our lives. The first stream is that of the original writers, those who have shaped our understanding of faith through their words. The second stream belongs to us, the readers and seekers, who find ourselves within the Psalms meaning, interpreting and applying it to our own journeys. And the third stream is Jesus Christ Himself, the ultimate author and guide, whose presence and saving grace bring all things into fullness and hope.
In the context of South Africa’s ongoing journey – grappling with the intersections of freedom, salvation and democracy – I find myself writing a prayer. A prophetic vision of a transformed South Africa, one that seeks righteousness and justice in the midst of a broken world. The two disciples on the Road to Emmaus serve as a powerful metaphor for this journey. Their walk, filled with confusion, despair, and uncertainty, mirrors the struggles we face in our own pilgrimage toward hope and freedom.
Just as these disciples were walking away from Jerusalem, hearts heavy with the weight of unfulfilled expectations, we too often find ourselves walking in the shadow of despair – grappling with a nation that longs for true transformation and justice. Yet, as they walked, their eyes were opened by the presence of Christ, and they realized that He had been with them all along, guiding them through their grief and confusion.
Through this reflection, I see South Africa’s pilgrimage not just as a political journey toward freedom, but as a spiritual walk toward the fullness of life in Christ. Just as the disciples’ encounter with Christ on the Road to Emmaus transformed their understanding of their journey, so too can we, as a nation, rediscover the transforming presence of Christ in our midst. This is not merely about seeking political freedom, but about seeking the freedom that comes through the saving grace of Christ.
In this journey, I envision a moment of profound revelation. It is the image of a thick, dark cloud that gives way to rain – a symbol of cleansing and renewal. Behind the rain, a rainbow emerges – a promise of hope, peace, and redemption. This picture is a reflection of South Africa’s own story: a nation once clouded in despair, now walking toward a future bathed in hope.
We, like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, are invited to recognize Christ in our journey – a presence that guides us with wisdom, justice and love. As we walk forward, may we carry the hope of Christ, whose love and justice illuminate our path. May we, as the Church, walk forward with courage, righteousness, and compassion, embodying the saving work of Christ in the world. As Hebrews 1:2 reminds us, “In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son… May His word dwell richly in us.” In this, we find strength for the journey ahead and peace in the presence of God.
The road to freedom, to transformation, is never easy – but it is a road that leads us to the presence of Christ, the ultimate hope for a just future. As we walk, may we carry His light into a hurting world, offering the love that has been so graciously given to us.
– Mkhululi Letsatsi