"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
- Matthew 11:28-30
Monday past, we celebrated 50 years of independence. During those five decades, we have achieved much.
We have had substantial economic growth and business success. We have experienced environmental conservation and substantial and sustainable growth in tourism. Notwithstanding our small nation status, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with the world, particularly in sporting achievements. We have truly had an indelible global impact.
As a people, we are free to worship and praise God without any impediments. Furthermore, we are free to move about our country and to travel the world as we desire. The people of The Bahamas continue to be free to elect reasonable governments and enjoy a peaceful transition of governments. For this, we can say that we are a blessed nation.
Notwithstanding the above, we have strayed far away from God. Prior to independence, we were a God-fearing nation. Some people would dare to say that we are still a God-faring nation. However, I say we are not.
The preamble of our constitution reads: AND WHEREAS the People of this Family of Islands recognizing that the preservation of their Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Self-discipline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law. Unfortunately, for the most part, we do not have an abiding respect for Christian values.
Like Israel of biblical times, which was a small nation and a microcosm of today's church, we look at the larger developed nation of the world and seek to emulate them. They have lost their fear of God and have adapted laws and practices which are foreign to us and an affront to God.
Notwithstanding that, even though we have wandered far away from God, as a people and a nation, we can still repent and be redeemed. The Greek word for repent is metanoia, which literally means "a change of mind or to turn around".
When we repent, we have a change of mind and or we turn around and go in another direction. We can do this because, in death, Christ paid the price for our sin. Yes, in his suffering, death, and resurrection, we are redeemed.
In the selected text above, Jesus invites us to turn around and to come to him. He has medicine for sin. He can cure us individually and as a nation. He welcomes us home to his loving arms, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
When we cry out to God and seek His face, He will hear us and redeem us. In His word, He assures us that in Him, we will find rest.
No one has gone too far away from God that he or she is unredeemable. Forgiveness and redemption are available to the living. Therefore, call upon the name of the Lord today.
Yes, as a people and a nation, we are laden and heavy laden. Let us look to the suffering Lamb of God for our redemption. His loving arms beckon us to come and take refuge in him.
He is the only hope for our nation and for the people of the world. His grace is available to all people and all nations, even those developed nations that have an afront for him.
As we celebrate this year of jubilee and look forward to the future, let us place our trust in the Lord, and say like the Psalmist: "Every day, I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever." (Psalm 145:2)
Yes, He is the God of grace who has kept us these 50 years. He has guided us through trials and tribulations, and He will continue to guide us. Come on home, come on home. Happy Independence Bahamas! Amen.
• Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, 119 John F. Kennedy Dr can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas; or telephone 426-9084; website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.
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