Palm Sunday: Serving God is an opportunity

Formation and registration for a new group of youth and young adults ready to begin a course of life-skills training with INUA Partners in Hope program in Naivasha, Kenya. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SIMS SIAMOONGA

By Sims Siamoonga

April 10, 2022 | NAIVASHA, KENYA

And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”

Luke 19:29-31 (NKJV)

In the full Scripture reading, Luke 19:28-40, we find many characters: Jesus Christ – the master; two disciples to whom Jesus gave instructions; an untamed/untrained tied colt; owners of the colt; the whole multitude of disciples (supporters of Jesus); the Pharisees (opponents of Jesus); and the stones (those Jesus may raise to support/praise him).

Jesus Christ has a mission to be accomplished by all those whom he calls. In pursuit of the mission, we are each called and gifted differently within the Body of Christ (the church). Some, like the two disciples, receive direct instructions to serve God through Jesus. These may include pastors, teachers, evangelists, as well as missionaries and Global Mission Fellows. Others, like the whole multitude of disciples, offer praise to God and support those who are in direct ministry.

INUA Partners in Hope, whom I work within Kenya, chose the Swahili verb “Inua” because it means “to lift up together, raise or elevate.” We help to restore the hope of at-risk youth in Kenya, those who have lost one or both parents and who struggle in poverty. We provide training, counseling and skills that support these youth and young adults as they rise up out of poverty, building opportunities for better livelihoods and means of supporting themselves, their community and their families. They, too, are part of the Body of Christ and are called to serve God’s mission.

When the Body of Christ works together, the mission of God through Jesus Christ is realized. The question we should ask ourselves today is, when the master wants to use what we have in terms of our gifts, are we willing to submit like the owners of the colt? Or will we answer: “I am not qualified enough, I am not gifted enough, I do not have enough money,” …and so on? God is not looking for the qualified, but God qualifies those whom are called. God is not looking for those with huge sums of money to donate to ministry but blesses and increases those who give generously from the little they have.

Do you think accomplishing God’s mission will be easy? NO! It will be tough, stressful and demanding, because on the way, we will encounter the Pharisees. When we are faced with tribulations, challenges and needs, we should be reminded that Jesus Christ faced all these and even more, but he overcame. Therefore, we should not give up or be silenced. If we are, God will raise up the very stones to praise him.

Our Father in heaven, we ask of your Spirit to help us remember that serving you is a commandment you gave us, and yet it is an opportunity for us to partner with your son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish the mission he entrusted us with here on earth. Oh Lord, help us to be humble as we serve you in different areas of your mission. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sims Siamoonga is a Global Mission Fellow, International, serving in Naivasha, Kenya, as a youth program mentor with INUA Partners in Hope program of the East Africa Annual Conference. He is a member of Pilgrim Wesleyan (non-United Methodist) Church of Zambia City, Lusaka, Zambia. A graduate of Choma High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of Zambia.