Day to appreciate our differences
HERITAGE Day means different things to different people. Our nation has diverse cultures and creeds.
The challenge we face may seem unique to South Africa.
It’s so convenient to label others who don’t embrace our culture or creed.
Heritage Day is a sober reminder that despite being different we all have one common destiny. Our value and worth should never be defined by what others think or say about us.
Our blinkered vision limits our purpose and understanding as to why we live down south at the tip of Africa. This is our land, it belongs to all who live in it.
My progenitor came from England to fight in the frontier wars against the Xhosa.
He died in the Battle of Fish River at the hands of the people defending their land and their right to self-determination.
Although I am a fourth-generation “settler”, I have no interest in dual citizenship.
South Africa is my country and unlike some Caucasians or AngloAfricans I want to live and die in the city and land of my birth.
Heritage Day is special to me because it enables me to appreciate all my brothers and sisters.
Difference should not be a weakness but a strength.
On the other hand, every Christian should believe that life consists of both the physical and spiritual and in this regard we do have a dual citizenship.
We may be citizens in our country but one day we will emigrate to the celestial city of the saints.
The book of Philippians 3:20 says: “Our citizenship is in heaven from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.” Eddie Askew in his devotional book Many voices one voice writes an inspiring prayer: Teach me, Lord, To love what You have created. Help me to shed the arrogance that cocoons me And restricts my growth. Help me to split the binding threads.
And crawl out into the warmth of Your light.
Stretch the wings of my understanding. At times, Lord, I meet people I can see no good in. No glory. No redeeming feature. Lord, is that true? Or is it just my eyes? Teach me to see people One by one. Not to pigeonhole them, categorise them.
Not to hammer them into unnatural moulds Of my own making. But to rejoice in every difference. To accept people as they are. Each one a part of Your creation. Showing something of Your glor y.