December 06, 2013 | Adventures in Missions

Nelson Mandela: How a Flawed Man Can Change the World

Nelson Mandela fought the good fight. He finished his race, ushered in justice, and loved his enemies well.

“We lost our greatest son,” South African President Jacob Zuma said when he informed the nation of Mandela’s passing. People flooded the streets at midnight to mourn the man they knew as Madiba, their national father. They crowded outside his home – black people stood shoulder to shoulder with white people, white Afrikaners embraced their tribal neighbors – together they mourned the man who united them and brought an end to Apartheid.

Around the world people stopped in their tracks when they heard the news. World leaders spoke publicly of the impact of his life, his accomplishments, and his character. Times Square slowed to a halt as people read of his passing on the screens above them. Fittingly, people of many races converged to celebrate a man who poured out his life in pursuit of equality.

Mandela left an indelible mark on the hearts of the world, not because of the fights he won, but because of the peace he embraced.

But Nelson Mandela was far from perfect.

Often criticized for answering violence with more violence, aligning with communist world views, failing to secure solid economic rights for black South Africans, and neglecting his family, Mandela was not without controversy. He lived up to his birth name, Rolihlahla, Xhosa for “troublemaker.”

He was a flawed hero, but in a broken world, that’s really the only kind there is.

In many ways, Mandela’s life paralleled the lives of Moses and Joseph.

Like Moses, Mandela was raised in a family of royalty. His family were the rulers of the Thembu people of South Africa, and he grew up in a tribal village. Like Moses, Mandela experienced failure. As Moses left his place in Egyptian royalty and was forced to tend his father-in-law’s flocks, young Nelson failed at many things. He left his first university without receiving a degree, failed the final year of his next university three times and was eventually denied his degree, was fired from an early job, and had several failed relationships. He hit what most would consider the bottom many times.

Like Joseph, Mandela was imprisoned. He spent 27 years in a prison cell, watching the world around him become something he couldn’t live in anymore.

But like Moses, Mandela eventually led his people to freedom. He eventually answered God’s call on his life to speak out against the injustice around him and rally his people for change.

Like Moses, Mandela spent the beginning of his life thinking he was somebody, the middle of his life finding out he was nobody, and the end realizing God can use anybody.

God’s not waiting for perfect people to change the world – he’s waiting for willing people.

It’s in his imperfections that Mandela became a realistic example for us to follow. It’s in the footprints of his flaws that we can walk the path of peace in our own generation.

Like Joseph, Mandela rose to a position of influence and sought peace.

He won his battle for freedom. After years of oppression and captivity, he was not only free – he held the highest office in the land. Revenge was at his fingertips, and retribution was within reach. But instead, he chose peace. He decided to show mercy where none was deserved and extend grace where it wasn’t earned.

He invited his former prison guard to his inauguration, dined with the prosecutor who imprisoned him, and invited the widow of his oppressor to tea. He brought opposing heads of state to the table, and together they stacked the building blocks of diplomacy upon a foundation of forgiveness.

With the eyes of the world on him, he put into action the words Paul wrote so long ago from another prison cell: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

From a prison cell to the presidency, Mandela answered that call. He made mistakes, but God used him anyway. He and his fellow revolutionaries accomplished things no one dreamed possible, and he famously said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” He lived out his calling and proved to a nation and the world that peace and reconciliation are possible.

As the writer of Hebrews honors Moses and Joseph for choosing faith in the face of fear, adversity, and personal failure, today we honor Nelson Mandela for taking the risk of extravagant forgiveness and showing the world a better way.

Mr. Mandela, on behalf of your fellow runners in this Race, congratulations on finishing yours well, and thank you for the example you leave behind that people like us can change the world.