By J. Grant Swank
In childhood, he lived with daily put-downs, being treated as less than a white-skinned creature. In teen years he stared the injustice of it all in the face, yet chose to follow Jesus against all odds. In young adult years he became an aggressive voice for nonviolent thrusts against South African prejudice.
There were so many foes to conquer, so many noises to silence, so many blacks to equip for the long run. Yet through it all, God was preparing a table. It started when Desmond was a young man, looking up one day to see a pastor -- a white man -- tip his hat at his black mother. This? Yes, this.
Later, when Tutu was hospitalized due to tuberculosis, this same white minister visited him for 20 months -- daily. This? Yes, this.
Where was God when hypocrisy paraded on every side within and without the church. Where was justice when black people were leveled every day? Where was the work of the eternal kingdom when earthly powers of selfishness strutted across the stage of history?
God was there. He was setting the table. And one of those servants helping to place the plates was a white pastor by the name of Trevor Huddleston. In time, Desmond would come to see it. Enemies on every side, yes. But so the contradiction would be realized in all its glory. The table would be full and the whole world would be invited to partake of its splendor.
It was in time that the God of time worked His meal for the feeding of His child. The injustices would be asked to come to see. And the children of the kingdom would eat.
Can you believe it? If not, don't worry. The matter that matters most is that you are His child. His integrity of loving mercy will see you through. Just hold on. Whether or not you can make out the form of it all is not what is important. What makes the difference is a God who stays true to His own. In time you will see it. In time you will sit yourself down and feed on its truth.
May this be some comfort to you in the meantime.