Angus Buchan is human, after all- 'beterskap oom' !

The news of evangelist, Angus Buchan's collapse at the Mighty Men conference has been causing a stir amongst his followers as well as other commentators. Many ask the question: what does it mean? Is there a divine meaning to this ? Many joke oblivious of what is happening amongst us- maybe even trying to hide their own masculine insecurities.

The official statement from the organizers is that 'Oom' Angus, collapsed because of heat and exhaustion, that he need rest and will be on the stage soon. Part of this story is suggesting that his recovery has been nothing less then a miracle, a close call from the brink of death. 'Oom' Angus, personally assured followers that even if he should pass on- he is assured of his place in heaven. The question is: are they assured of this ?

The question remain: what is the message that we can learn from this. Apart from being ready. I would hope that this is a call for caution, but also a realistic assesment of the role of 'Oom' Angus. He is certainly human, after all and a frail human being, like most of us. Some of the big boys on the farm, is physically, possibly stronger than Oom and this need to be taken into account, when the arrangements for his campaigns and performances is made. He, himself should take this into account and possibly leave the push-ups and jumps for Pieter de Villiers and his boys. Whilst Buchan, possibly like Nelson Mandela, or Desmond Tutu, evidently commands high respect and a strong following currently in South Africa, but also, whilst his message provides spiritual direction and indeed inspire hundreds of thousands, he is no super-hero. Yes,South Africa, currently need voices and inspirational figures to remind us of the moral values that could secure our future. Indeed, our men and boys need rolemodels of integrity, service and a deep humble spirituality, in the midst of an onslaught of plastic consumerism, crude materialism, but also decay in moral standards. In this context, we need to treasure our finest examples of these traits and standards, of which the life of Jesus Christ, speak so eloquently. But, we need to see these 'ooms' for what and who they are- human beings, who may get tired, who are getting old and who sometimes struggle with the weight of the world's expectations on their shoulders. What does this calls us toward ?

If anything, let's not feed into the frenzy or create super-heroes, that are simply human beings, who God uses at specific points of time. Let's remind ourselves that all of us have to hear God's word for our time, today to be able to walk our road. Let's pray that God might raise up, from amongst us more ordinary potato farmers, mineworkers, rugby coaches or simply unemployed young men who will be obedient to God's call and, in Jesus Christ, will continue to make and carry their own cross here and now. The real question is: are we ready for this ?