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WEDNESDAY 9 June has come and gone, but the paradox of the day will forever remain in the minds of those “who are able to see beyond shadows”, as Greek philosopher Plato, would put it. Two interesting events involving “men of God” took place in Harare on the day in question. One was the official opening of Mbuya Dorcas Hospital — an initiative of Zaoga Forward in Faith Ministries founders Professor Ezekiel Guti and his wife Dr Eunor Guti — and the other, a meeting of various church organisations calling on President Mugabe to leave office for allegedly failing to run the country.

The Zimbabwe Divine Destiny, Christian Prophetic Voice Zimbabwe, Christian Voice, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Christian Alliance, Prayer Network Zimbabwe et al, convened the meeting to discuss efforts and approaches being taken by church organisations in response to Zimbabwe’s challenges.

The irony of it all is that while the church organisations were DISCUSSING, the Gutis were SOLVING.

To see beyond the shadows, one only needs to read Matthew 13:24-43: “The kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

“When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared . . . while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: ‘First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

The Holy Book tells us that when the crowds had gone, Jesus told his disciples that: “The Son of Man will send out his angels and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.”

Beyond the shadows, whose voice speaks through Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Christian Alliance and Prayer Network Zimbabwe? That of the sower of good seed or that of the sower of weeds?

Will the Gutis be weeded out of His kingdom or will they shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father? In this age of the emergence of self-proclaimed prophets, there are some hard truths that must be told.

President Mugabe is not the one stealing from gullible congregants while claiming to make their wealth multiply. He is not the one claiming to be performing miracles in order to attract desperate believers, nor has he built a mansion for himself off the back of the faithful. The time of harvest shall come and the weeds will be separated from the wheat.

The Gutis, who were opening a state-of-the-art hospital, recently opened the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University. After 56 years preaching the gospel, the two have gone on to play their part in nation building.

Many other clergy are also keeping true to their call and not delving into areas reserved for politicians. Just try to count the number of mission schools and hospitals in Zimbabwe and then ask yourself: “Where is all the money my church is collecting going?” To build schools, clinics or mansions?

What legacy will an organisation like Christian Alliance — for instance — leave behind? We urge Zimbabweans to be wary of political outfits masquerading as religious organisations. We urge Zimbabweans to reject weeds as they are worthless and cannot even serve as fodder.

Look beyond the shadows, we say.