Loos duni!
“Loos duni!” can perhaps be translated as “indeed!” It is an exclamation of the truth of something, an expression of strong assent. It may mark the moment of revelation or understanding. You might say “loos duni” when you’ve finally understood something that puzzled you, or when you’ve been convinced that something is true.
Sharing God’s Word with our different ones have produced many precious “loos duni!” exclamations.
I think of Antonio, who followed me home one evening after class. He excitedly told me that he dreamt of Jesus the night before. He was dressed in shining white garments, and light came out of His eyes. Antonio said the Lord radiated a light so bright that in his dream, he could not look straight at Him. I listened, and then directed him to the passage on the Transfiguration in the Gospels. He read the text and remarked to himself in amazement, “Loos duni!”, completely oblivious to the hordes of mosquitoes encircling his body.
Earlier this week, we taught about the importance of unity and respect to our two staff, Frans and Nensia, during our weekly morning devotion together. In the process of training them, we could clearly see that their strengths and weaknesses were very different. We also observed that they didn’t seem to be communicating enough when they were co-teaching. Concerned that this might affect team unity, I decided that we would study 1 Cor 12 together, on how one body is composed of many parts.
It appeared to be an unfamiliar passage to the two of them. We talked about what would happen if one morning, we woke up and our eyes, or mouth, or legs simply refused to work with the body, and had a good laugh about that. As we discussed the passage further, we could see the truth of the Word of God settling in their hearts and minds. We had a good discussion on the different things we could learn from the text, and how to apply that to our team relationship, in terms of respecting one another’s differences, and building unity through sound communication.
After the devotion, LS led them in lesson planning for the afternoon class, while I went away to do my work. She slipped away shortly, came into the office and told me happily, “They’re communicating better today!” God’s Word was indeed coming alive, and making a difference.
On another occasion, the Sunday sermon touched briefly on the folly of smoking. We seized the opportunity to teach about that, having previously seen the two young men we disciple smoke. They were directed to 1 Cor 6:19-20, which expressed the truth that our bodies are the temple of God, and have been purchased at a price. Frans and Antonio read the passage, and you could sense the first stirrings of understanding as they pondered the implications of the two verses. Antonio looked up, shook his head and said, “If Jesus paid such a high price to purchase my life and body, then it’s not right to smoke and destroy it.” We nodded but left it at that, aware that this was between the boys and the Holy Spirit.
A few weeks ago, we asked Frans how his life had changed since he knew God personally. He shared that he had quit smoking, and tries to influence his friends to stop smoking too. Curious, we asked him how he counsels his friends to stop.
In his typical forthright style, Frans said, “I ask them, ‘Do you smoke the cigarette, or does the cigarette smoke you? So what do you mean that you can’t stop? Just don’t smoke!’”
Just yesterday, LS witnessed a similar episode. She and Frans walked out of the library to print some materials at home. They saw another student smoking at the gate of the library. On their way home, they talked about smoking. LS asked Frans casually how he managed to stop. The young man said it was because of the sermon he heard at church. He also confessed, “It’s very hard to quit smoking if someone doesn’t know God.”
On their way back to the library, the student was still sitting at the gate. LS said Frans started counseling him to stop smoking. He apparently shared about how his general health had improved since he quit, and encouraged the young man to try quitting.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” [Hebrews 4:12]
It is a privilege indeed, to be able to see God’s Word at work powerfully, in the lives of young people who so desperately need the Father’s love.
At the same time, I also stand indicted. I ask myself when it was that I was thoroughly and convicted by the Word of God, leading to real and radical positive inward and outward change. When was the last time that I remarked “loos duni!” in amazement and awe at the absolute beauty and wisdom of God’s Word? Or have I grown so accustomed to the Bible, using it as a tool to teach and preach, without first subjecting myself to its power and authority?
Now, I better understand why Paul said this in 1 Cor 9 - But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
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