Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa you often heard the phrase “don’t you know someone that works there?” because you’d stand a better chance of getting the job if you knew someone on the inside. This is especially true in the coloured (mix race) community; everything always went about who you know, and “who you know” almost always got you in trouble. An example of this came when my friend said “I know a guy who fixes cars”, that guy turned out to be a crook and scammed me from my hard earned money…subtly the “who you know” culture was a part of everything I did in my life.
My first job was because of my aunt and it didn’t end well because everyone thought I was being favoured because of her which was kind of true. I went about life always seeking to know someone that could get the job done for me, to get me into places, to get me discounts etc, taking the short cut to get things done. Until it dawned on me, that is a poverty mindset because in my mind I couldn’t get anything I wanted done by merely just trusting God, I had to know someone to help me achieve what I wanted. Now looking back it was a mindset of poverty and lack because I didn’t know who I was, better yet I didn’t know Who’s I was!
John 8 vs 33 (KJV) “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
I had to be freed from the “it’s who you know” mindset so that I could get to know Who’s I am which is far greater than who I know. In learning Who’s I am I discovered so many awesome things about myself and my relationship with God. I discovered that there is call for ministry on my life, particularly discipleship evangelism, I learned that in knowing Who’s I was I didn’t have to feel pressured to do anything to fit in with a certain group of people. I also discovered a deep joy of introducing people to my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Life became more meaningful knowing I am the daughter of a king and His Kingdom is not of this world. I am confident knowing that I am loved, favored, and protected by my heavenly Father, and knowing that He is for me gives me peace in this chaotic and dying world that we live in.
Isaiah 43 is by far one of my absolute favourite portions of Scripture in the bible. I first read it when I was 19 years old. I was on a missions trip in Malawi, Africa and back then I didn’t really understand what God was speaking to me through the scripture but looking at it now I’m filled with such awe and wonder of His promises toward me.
Verse 1-3 (NIV)
1.But now, this is what the LORD says– he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
3. I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your saviour…
Reading those words gives me such fulfillment in knowing that He is for me and not against me and He’ll be there no matter what! Allow God today to affirm you through His Word, allow Him to remind you Who’s you are and how much He loves you.
Tamlyn Nkosi
saltshaker513.com 