One Man (Part One)
by Derek Puffett
Nelson Mandela has died. He was ninety five; it was his time to die. The legacy this one man leaves behind has touched the world.
Yet, when he finally died, it rocked the nation of South Africa and indeed the world. God raised this one man for a purpose. Once he found his purpose on earth, he was single minded, nothing would stop him in his vision to rid South Africa of the scourge of apartheid. He was even prepared to die for his convictions.
His purpose reminds me of both Joseph and David. Joseph suffered a lengthy jail sentence for doing something right. David was a fugitive for years because his popularity was a threat to the king. Maybe God had to build character in them before he could use them for His good purpose. Madiba (the name of his Xhosa clan) spent twenty seven years in prison for inciting violence. That’s a long prison sentence. But the ruling government at the time was fearful of releasing him from prison as it would mean the end of their minority rule. The hope the nation was putting in this one man was turning the nation of South Africa upside down. Because of the violence in the country and isolation from the world, he was finally released. The White minority feared the worst; the Black majority were ready for war. There would be no winners, only losers.
But God was working in this one man, Nelson Mandela. God was molding him, restoring him, teaching him about that all important law, a law above all laws, forgiveness!
Forgiveness, the only way towards a win: win victory for the people of South Africa. However, ‘… there is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. (Ecc 7:20) Godly forgiveness was the only answer.
Derek Puffett is the Regional Director of Ellel Ministries, Africa. He was a Pastor for 12 years before joining Ellel in 2000. In 1986 he and his wife Beryl pioneered and established Telefriend, now under the management of Ellel. Telefriend is a South African National Christian telephone care line with an evangelistic emphasis.
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