ALL THAT THE LORD HAS DONE

The Nigerian Christian songstress, Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, is most popularly known for capturing the world with her beloved anthem “Way Maker”, which trended worldwide during the pandemic. Sinach has since released yet another powerful praise song, titled “Done It Again”. The song ‘s message is to give thanks to God for all that He has done, and it could not have come at a more relevant time. For so many of us, 2022 was a very difficult year. Who could have foreseen the way this year would end with so much tragedy, economies crumbling, high unemployment, peaking crime rates and so many precious lives lost? The very fact that we have survived such a perilous time even though most of our high hopes for the year were not met is reason enough to give thanks to God.

Like Sinach ‘s other live ministrations, “Done It Again” is such a powerful rendition, not just from a musical standpoint but mainly because of the message it carries and the impact it leaves on her audience. After listening to the song repeatedly, it becomes very apparent to the listener that there is no right or wrong time to praise God. David always praised the Lord, no wonder he was a man after God ‘s own heart. It has become our custom as believers to only testify of God ‘s goodness when we escape unforeseen danger or when we have achieved some level of worldly success but thanking God for having a roof upon your head, being in perfect health and the hedge of protection He has put upon your family might be less prestigious but still as important.

Perhaps my favorite part of the song is the pre-chorus which sings “I give you praise forevermore.” Praising God not only for what He has done but for what He will do, especially when nothing seems to work is perhaps the best way to ask God for more. Some worshipers have coined the term “sacrifice of praise” because praise is a difficult thing to render especially when the reality seems contrary to what your faith confesses. As I watched the congregation singing alongside Sinach “You Have Done It Again”, I began to see how much I had forgotten what the Lord has done for me and the people around me. We never thank God for the misfortunes and disappointments we encounter, that one deal we thought would redeem our business that never worked, that failed six-year relationship, that job that we never got, but what if God preserved us by not allowing us these “seemingly good things”? In God ‘s books, progress can often look more like regression, but in our eyes, moving forward means we have accomplished so much and have the receipts to show for it.

As we start this new year, I hope you will remember that we have so much to thank God for. Not only for the prayers that got answered but for the very things we do not understand and for some of those painful and yet humbling experiences we must go through in this life. As you listen to Sinach ‘s song “Done It Again”, be reminded that the Lord who did it once, can do it again and again and again.

Shona is a very beautiful language with a lot of international appeal. South African based, Zimbabwean born Everton Mlalazi has given a new ring to Shona gospel music, making us fall in love with our native tongue once again through his song “Ndokutevera”. The lyrics of the song are both powerful and memorable and seamlessly go along with his “South African” inspired sound. When you listen to the song, it sounds like Spirit of Praise or Joyous Celebration but in Shona. It is obvious that Everton has a close relationship with South African gospel musicians like Benjamin Dube who might be mentoring him.

I really appreciate his modest use of accompaniments on this one, the sound is soft yet very beautiful due to the soft drums and saxophone that play in the background of his beautiful vocals. The turnaround after the second last chorus is where his instrumentalists show off their skill giving us the “Zulu” vibe. Although the song has lots of international appeal, what impresses me the most is the message. Sometimes we the artists pay more attention to how the song sounds rather than what the song says and I am glad to say that this song leads the listener to Christ. Ndokutevera speaks about following Jesus through thick and thin because of His ultimate sacrifice of dying for our sins on the cross. To say that Everton ‘s vocals on this song sound perfect is merely an understatement. The chorus sung by the angelic voices of the backing vocals says “Ndokutevera Muponesi imwi makandifira. Kana vese vakusiya, ini ndokutevera” which leads us to the very important question, Who or what we are following?

There are many things that believers are chasing after these days. Some are following great apostles with a deep revelation about Jesus, others are following the crowd because they want to be part of a community and some simply want to offer their service in one area or another but unless we follow Jesus, the one who died for us, our service to a man of God or the church is in vain. One great man of God once said that “people love church but not Jesus” which is a warning against setting our heart and affections in everything else other than Jesus Himself who died for us. Everton Mlalazi ‘s beautiful melody Ndokutevera certainly tickles the ear, but aside from the beautiful sound and melody that make the song, it is a definite cry to follow Jesus, our One and Only Savior.

By Kudzaishe Mucheka