It may seem far-fetched, but many of the world’s lingering problems exist simply because people avoid facing challenges head-on. Politeness is often mistaken for the very virtues that build genuine peace. Struggles like drug abuse, alcoholism, broken marriages, wars, church splits, and corruption persist because too many people hesitate to tackle them directly. What sets Jesus apart, in His human condition, is His bold willingness to confront challenges without retreat, even when it meant the excruciating pain of the cross. He wasn’t to blame for the world’s sins, but he faced them head-on as though their existence was his burden to bear.
Learning from Jesus: Going Back to the Roots
Israel’s story—a nation chosen by God to bring hope—reveals how far they had fallen. From a human perspective, it might have seemed easier to offer salvation without involving the Jews, who were keepers of the Law and the prophets but languished under corrupt leadership in Jerusalem. The Kingdom message did not have to be tied to a broken covenant led by such figures. Yet Jesus knew you cannot fix a problem without going back to its roots.
He deliberately engaged with those who had twisted the Law of Moses, taking it upon Himself to set things right as though personally responsible. The twelve disciples He chose were not tied to an institution; they were simply followers meant to carry His message faithfully. Unsurprisingly, many Jews were not eager to welcome Him—some even wished He had nothing to do with them. They didn’t realize it was their physical nature that was resisting the spiritual condition.
Although the Jews worshipped on the Sabbath, Jesus did not distance Himself from their troubled system. Instead, He stepped in, called out the corruption, and exposed how the Pharisees and teachers of the Law had misled the people. More than once, they tried to arrest Him for defying their traditions, but they failed because His time had not yet come. He came without defenses against those consumed by the most vile and uncontrollable hatred. They eventually killed Him, yet today the world is better because of the legacy of Jesus and the Gospel.
Human civilization would not have advanced so far without His teachings. A common reason we fail to confront is the fear of death—a concern Jesus did not regard as significant. By learning from the One who declared Himself the way, the truth, and the life, we should recognize that preserving one’s legacy matters infinitely more than avoiding death. The purpose of life is to make a difference that corrects societal wrongs; as Paul states, Christians are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The Zimbabwean Predicament: A Refusal to Take Responsibility
Now compare Jesus’ example to our situation in Zimbabwe. We find ourselves in this predicament because many of us refuse to take responsibility, especially those who identify as Christians. Instead of addressing common issues, we point fingers at those we blame for ruining the country without considering where we ourselves stood when it happened. Many are persuaded that the smartest move is to seek refuge in the Diaspora or join those we deem corrupt for the sake of survival. These choices further deplete the nation and drive it toward total destruction. You can’t solve a problem by avoiding it.
The deepest tragedy is failing to realize that the countries where we seek refuge may experience their own upheavals, perhaps worse than Zimbabwe’s. As we age, while avoiding confrontation, rebuilding our nation becomes harder, and we end up hoping foreigners will do it for us. We cannot expect children born in the Diaspora to return and resolve the problems we ran from.
As a result of avoiding reality, some have decided to shed their Zimbabwean identity, even wishing they had never been born as one. They may live with a deep sense of bitterness, feeling betrayed by those they hold responsible for the crisis. This is different from the belief that one was born to make a difference in a country like Zimbabwe.
Like anyone associated with failure, they avoid accountability, believing they are blameless—as if they were born with no responsibility for leadership. While many things are indeed wrong in Zimbabwe, the burden does not rest solely on others. It is the collective responsibility of the Zimbabwean people.
Meanwhile, aging parents at home take pride in their children abroad, primarily because of Diaspora remittances. The idea of taking national responsibility is foreign to them; what matters most is the flow of money that keeps them alive. Perhaps due to the deep scars of colonialism or slavery, many in our African communities do not prioritize concern for future generations. What seems to count is being perceived as more affluent than those around them.
The corrupt government has flung open the doors for foreigners from China and elsewhere to extract minerals, exploiting the country for their own enrichment. Where corruption thrives, personal gain flourishes, and corrupt officials convince themselves that accumulating wealth will secure their future. Yet the future they envision is short-lived and will benefit no one beyond their own generation. When wealth is concentrated in a few hands, deep insecurity follows.
Basic logic suggests such gains will vanish faster and faster; in twenty years, there may be no nation left to speak of. Without divine intervention, self-destruction seems inevitable, echoing the days before Noah’s flood or the miscalculated Tower of Babel. Zimbabwe’s trajectory toward ruin is easy to foresee unless a transformative figure, like the prophet Jonah, emerges to change the people’s mindset. It could be anyone, even someone reading this article right now.
The Church’s Complicity and the Salt That Lost Its Savor
While politics plays a significant role in the country’s challenges, real hope lies within the political arena. Christianity could provide guidance, but that light dims when many are drawn to megachurches focused on personal gain rather than addressing the grave issues that keep the nation in disarray. Many people approach Christianity more for what they can receive than for what they can offer. Christians are often encouraged to pray for prosperity instead of actively seeking solutions to national problems.
For some prayer warriors, landing a job as a Central Intelligence Officer (CIO) is seen as a direct answer to prayer—personal comfort takes precedence over confronting wider community issues. Corrupt church leaders discourage political involvement, treating confrontation as taboo in Christian circles. When stuck in that state, the true gospel can’t reach them. This allows corrupt politicians to be treated with honor, still addressed as “honorable” members of parliament, while churches feel flattered when such figures visit their congregations.
In many Christian communities, constructive criticism is rare because it is viewed as unchristian; correcting one another is frowned upon. With such attitudes, the nation’s decline is hardly surprising. The Christ being preached today seems far removed from the One who boldly challenged and sought to reform a corrupted religious system and was executed on a cross for it.
Returning to True Vision: Prayer, Identity, and Light
Everything changes when prayer is seen from the right perspective. The kind of prayer Jesus taught focuses on confronting problems in our surroundings. “Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven” implies that sincere prayer moves us to challenge whatever does not align with God’s will on Earth. Even forgiving those who wrong us gives us courage to face—not avoid—those we see as enemies.
When we adopt Jesus’ stance in confronting the religious establishment, we begin to realize that any true correction in Christianity leads to correction in politics. What unfolds in our political environment reflects the flaws present in our Christian environment.
Many believe being polite to wrongdoers pleases God, but following Jesus’ example in dealing with opposition to God’s will is about confronting issues without displaying weakness. Being the salt of the earth is radically different from being the sugar of the earth. Addiction keeps people stuck because they are not ready to confront the truth, just like any unchecked habit.
Real change begins by addressing a person’s identity before tackling other problems. Jesus brought a message of hope grounded in the Gospel. God’s Kingdom is unlike anything on earth, restoring us to the spiritual state for which we were created. Since our Father is Spirit, we are meant to live spiritually—an identity that, as Jesus demonstrated, cannot be contained by anyone. Like light, its glow can’t be dimmed by any kind of darkness.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99