As Seelan reflected on the phrase ‘until all have heard,’ the questions that came to mind were: who has heard and what have they heard?
Seelan Govender, from South Africa, has served with OM’s Ship Ministry since 1999. He began his journey as a team member in the bookfair on board Doulos and later said 'yes' to serving as managing director on Logos Hope with his family. After a total of 14 years at sea, Seelan and his family moved to Mosbach, Germany, in 2017, where he currently serves as the CEO of OM’s Ship Ministry. Seelan’s passion is to see the impact of the Ship Ministry grow exponentially, reaching even further and impacting more lives across the world.
I grew up in a township called Phoenix, situated on the outskirts of Durban in South Africa. This township, like many others in South Africa, resembled, in my opinion, community at it best. We laughed a lot and cried much as well. There was always an opportunity found to celebrate accomplishments — irrespective of how insignificant they may seem for those not living in our context. One of the unique things that marked our community when people got together was the ‘latest news.’ Whether it was a family gathering, friends spending time together or aunties having a cup of tea together, inevitably, the conversation would turn towards the latest news of the community and of different people. This would not necessarily be news that one would find on any news channel.
The conversations would generally veer into that direction with the following question: “Have you heard?” After which, an affirmative response was given so the story could go on and grow into something often quite different from the facts. I was always fascinated by the speed and inaccuracy of how events and stories moved around in my community.
As I reflected on the phrase ‘until all have heard,’ the questions that came to mind were: who has heard and what have they heard?
In Revelation, we read of Jesus standing at the door and knocking. There are many times I have heard this verse taken out of context and applied to people who we would consider least reached, but this verse is in the context of the Church and speaking to believers. This is important and I would say a critical aspect for us.
The voice of our Lord in this verse is trying to engage those who we would consider followers of Jesus, and I would submit that the reality of this verse in context is as poignant and relevant for our time now as it was for when the Apostle John wrote it down.
For the two billion least-reached folks that we desire to hear of the fame of our Lord, all of Jesus’ followers must hear ‘His knock on the door.” Before the least reached can hear and experience His goodness, we, as Jesus followers, need to hear His invitation to us to participate in His Kingdom advancement.
This Easter, we may reflect and celebrate as years before the incredible obedience and sacrifice of our Lord. We may try and imagine ourselves in that part of His story and hopefully that will inspire us to continue to be ever so grateful for His love and faithfulness as it has opened the pathway into His Kingdom.
I hope and pray that the reminder of Christ dying on the cross and rising again does not pass us by as a religious ritual that is the right thing to do at this time of the year. As we reflect, as we ponder and listen, do we truly hear His Invitation to participate with Him? Will we listen and respond by inviting Him in and welcoming Him? Do we hear and understand His invitation is not just to me but to all my brothers and sisters who are part of His global body? Do we hear that His invitation is into His Kingdom that is wholistic and not disconnected? Do we hear that His invitation to us is to give allegiance to Him as the crucified King and not to any other, be it a good strategy, ego or even a great logo? Do we hear His invitation to us is into the whole of His story of redemption, transformation and dignity and not just parts of it that we may like or have been brought up with?
Until we hear and respond, the least reached will continue to not know the abundant life in His Kingdom no matter how loud we speak.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20 (ESV). Have we heard?