ARE YOU THE ONE OR SHOULD WE WAIT FOR ANOTHER?

 

ARE YOU THE ONE or SHOULD WE WAIT FOR ANOTHER?

 

By D.R. Ruhweza

 

The Gospel of Matthew narrates a scene in its eleventh chapter, where the disciples of the jailed John the Baptist inquire about the true identity of Jesus. John had not only leaped in his mother’s womb when Jesus was still in Mary’s womb, (Luke 1:41) but he had also declared who Jesus was and then had the honour of baptising Jesus. (John 1:27) In that same breath, John has probably watched in knowing awe when the Holy Spirit descended like dove upon Jesus. (Luke 3:22) It was therefore surprising that, whilst in custody, John would ask his disciples to inquire about the mission or identity of Jesus. The Scripture says in verse 2 –

 

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he [a]sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:2 NKJV)

 

Was he experiencing a moment of doubt? Was he thinking twice about that which he knew? Did John, like many before him, assume that the Messiah would take on a militaristic engagement against the Roman Empire? The response of our Lord Jesus Christ seems to suggest that he gave the answer that John was looking for. He told the disciples to tell John what they saw –

 

“Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:4 NKJV)

 

In essence, Jesus responded by saying res ipsa loquitur (the facts speak for themselves). He was basically telling John that I am indeed the one. In other Scriptures, Jesus states that ‘^…. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)

 

When I answered the call to lead the Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity (UCLF), I had just completed a course at the Institute for National Transformation (INT). (We had been warned by the conveners of the course that many of their students, receive the call to lead when or during their time at the Institute). We were therefore asked to be ready since some didn’t even finish the course before opportunities to lead – often at the top of powerful institutions – would come up. When the call comes, it is often very easy to answer in the affirmative whilst seated in the classroom. However, reality is different when you answer that call asking you to step up and lead.

 

Often times, when the call comes, it is difficult to say yes. This is what happened with Moses the Prophet or Israel’s first King Saul. However, there are also situations like John the Baptist where it is very easy for one to easily say yes but develop self-doubt about what one has been called to do. At some point in my journey, I felt this self-doubt about the mammoth task of leading the UCLF –a Christian, membership based organisation comprising of stellar and senior legal practitioners and judges and justices on the one hand, and students, newly recruited advocates on the other.  Yet I am reminded of these powerful words to Queen Esther from her elder cousin Mordecai

 

Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NKJV)

 

In essence, there is always a divine plan that is beyond our convenience, pay grade, comprehension, ability and scale. It is a plan that is from the Lord. It is an enormous plan to build arks, conquer cities and cross rivers and even declare war or death over sons of Pharaohs. It is often quite scary.

 

Nonetheless, by the grace of God, the team and I discovered that pure reliance on the Lord, the pursuit of wisdom, and having values, tenacity and grit is key in leading people. It would later down on me along the way, that leading God’s people requires a lot more divine intervention. Prayer therefore became a powerful key for us. Looking up to mentors and Jethro’s (Exodus 18), and the pursuit of wise counsel was very critical. Indeed, King Solomon says ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV).

 

Like the bulldog or the stinging bee, we also realised that tenacity and grit are key in leading a team. Attending the Harvest Institute (now called the School of Leadership), and being exposed to reading from John Maxwell, Richard Foster, General Stanley McChrystal, Patrick Lencioni, amongst others had a huge impact on our time at the leadership of UCLF.

 

Our time was indeed a learning experience –learning how to pray and to maintain a prayer altar, learning how to get fellow Christian lawyers involved in a worthy cause, learning how to lead vertically and horizontally, learning to respond to needs, learning how to face the brutal facts about a situation and then taking the tough decision, learning, unlearning, re-learning. On behalf of the team, we are immensely humbled by the support we received and the prayers we received but most of all, we are grateful for the opportunity to “do”.

 

As I reflect back to the story of John the Baptist, there were indeed times of doubt but we know that everything happens for a reason. Jesus’ response to John’s disciples indicates that Jesus was fulfilling His purpose even when some misunderstood or criticised him. Can it be said of us, that when the call is made, we not only respond but also keep relevant. Are we the one’s for the season? Or should those who need help, support and mentorship wait another?

 

What is your answer?

 

Daniel R. Ruhweza PhD

Chair Emeritus of the Board of Directors & President of UCLF 2016-2020