Nshima is a staple here in Zambia. It is made from ground maize. While I've eaten it a number of times, I had never made it myself. While spending time with the ladies preparing the meal for our ladies' meeting, I asked one of the oldest women there if she would show me how. I'd watched the ladies call for her to stir it when the water was ready the month before and was amazed by her strength as she mixed. She laughed and waved me over. She showed me how to hold it, and when I did it wrong, she took my hands and guided them to the right place. I stirred as she added the powder and gave me directions. When I was stirring too fast (and splashed boiling water on my foot!) she told me gently, gently (modzichepetsa, modzichepetsa). The ladies from the city church and the village gave advice (don't put your foot in the fire). When she gave the nod of approval and said I was strong, the ladies all laughed and cheered. It's a bit awkward trying to learn a new skill that even the little girls here already know, especially with a group of ladies watching closely. But if we aren't willing to admit our ignorance, we will never grow in knowledge.
How often are we like that with God? We want to go along as if we know what we are going, even when we don't. We want to hold the stirring spoon our own way, not God's. He starts teaching us, and we rush ahead, creating danger, like sloshing boiling water. Or we refuse to ask how, in fear that we might be seen as ignorant (even if we are). Sometimes, we ask how academically but have no intention of getting any hands-on experience. If we can set down our pride and fear and let God take our hands and direct us, not only do we grow in knowledge, but it builds relationships. We draw closer to God, and sometimes, He uses the learning process to bring us closer to others. Are we teachable today?
Some days I am not. The motivator for me to ask about nshima making was that a lady had tried to explain how to prepare pumpkin leaves the week before. I didn't want to hear the Zambian way that day- my way worked perfectly fine (other than a couple of pumpkin pricker sticks). God pointed out my unwillingness to be taught, and the lesson was fresh in my mind. Ironically, after the nshima lesson, the ladies waved me over to help prepare... you guessed it... pumpkin leaves. I admitted I wasn't very good at it, and they patiently showed me until I got it. Unsurprisingly, it is a lot easier, makes less waste, and gives fewer pricker-pokes. I didn't get it right off, but persistence paid off. It reminds me of learning the language. I say it wrong at first. But if I stopped trying out of embarrassment, I'll never learn it. When I keep listening, repeating, and trying again, eventually, the word comes out right. Let's let God teach us today.
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in. the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."
-Psalm 32:8
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