Skip to main content

Go2013 ... Came and went!



How should one feel having hosted 2-3,000 people over one weekend at an event borne out of a vision to work together, with other missions and Churches, to provide opportunities for Churches and individuals to explore missions, be equipped for missions and engage with the work of missions?

My initial reflections are as follows;

1/ I'm tired ... As an introvert the shear energy required to engage with large numbers of people is very draining. But, who said serving the Lord was not costly, exhausting and requiring us to operate outside of our preferences or comfort zones! But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. Php2:17

2/ I'm drained ... This is different from physical and emotional tiredness. For me, over the three days each year I experience an intense spiritual battle even when I can see the fruits of our endeavours around me with my own eyes. Waves of discouragement, and disappointment hit as the enemy seeks to divert me from persevering with the vision the Lord has given. The need to be in prayer and vigilant in warfare is crucial! But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Cor 2:14

3/ I'm thankful ... For so many things, not least that the Lord used our endeavours to further His purposes. I'm thankful that we could enjoy His presence together over the weekend, and be spurred on by the Spirit to dream bigger, trust more and take steps to serve Him with our whole lives. See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks ... since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably and with awe... Heb 12:25,28

4/ I'm marvelling ... At the way in which diverse groups and individuals came together as one to serve, worship and work in unity. Looking beyond that which could divide us, to celebrate that which unites us. This is testimony to the truth that we are one in Christ, called to know Him and make Him known in all the world. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 1 Cor 12:12

5/ I'm expectant ... There will be fruit from this weekend. Why? Because we were obedient to his leading, biblical truth was preached and the challenge to be as Christ intended us to be was given... That will always bring forth fruit . The word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it - declares the Lord. Is 55:11

6/ I'm vulnerable .. After a 'high' there is always the 'day after' - I need to be aware that at these times I can be at my most vulnerable, pride can become the doorway to defeat ... So I must walk closer than ever to stay on track! If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it. Gen 4:7

If you never came this year never mind ... find out about Go2014 and put it in your diaries for next year - make a commitment to come now! (Details to follow)

Press on!

Comments

Post a Comment

Feel free to add comments or ask questions:

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts from a previous incumbent ...

In reference to 2 Tim 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of p o wer, of love a nd of sel f-discipli ne."   Norman Grubb decl are d that; "We are set in our day and generation to be overcomers, not to sail through calm seas but to walk on storms, to replace need with supply, to transform aspiration into realization. The language of defeatism, fear, lack and weakness is not to be in our vocabulary. "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. As for these giants, they are bread for us," we say with sturdy Caleb.  We are to act as the men of faith of old; we are to visualize our goal in clear outline; we are to take it for granted that we shall reach it, for we have both the commission and anointing of God?   We lay our plans ,build our organisations, produce our written and verbal pronouncements,  prayer our prayers, do our work, not as those who will fail and fall by the way, but...
2 comments
Read more

What is poverty?

I have been very exercised recently for a number of reasons; 1/ Extended conversations with my teenage children about Sex trafficking (Initiated by the recent LZ7 track!) 2/ The dialogue online concerning the relative merits of Kony2012 campaign. 3/ Spending a morning praying for Street Children in Senegal (Talibes) and Prostitutes in Cambodia. 4/ Recently listening to a Dr M Loyd-Jones podcast - in which he refers to the state of 'apostasy' that the Church had got itself into at the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th Century, as it cared so much for social, justice and poverty issues that it ceased to preach the gospel. (His words of course!) Now, where do my kids find their place in the midst of all of this? Our discussion centred around how meaningful is it to download a track and feel justified that you are doing something about sex trafficking? Is that simply consumer activism ... would we be so concerned to spend our 69p if we weren't getting a download out ...
4 comments
Read more

Labels

Who are you? I have never been a great fan of labels when it comes to describing members of the body of Christ. eg. he is anglican, she is Baptist, they are Charismatic, etc. etc. I remember once causing a man to become increasingly hot under the collar when he asked me who I was? To which I replied I was a disciple (follower) of Jesus. He was meaning which Church did I attend (presumably so he could classify me and decide whether I was bona fide or not) and my answer did not bring him peace, but I refused to go any further.  Why? Because, as I said, I am not a great fan of labels, but also because for me there is a very important distinction between primarily identifying myself with Jesus and identifying myself with Church. Of course, I recognise that by becoming a follower of Jesus I become part of the body of Christ, but that can be very distinct from being a member of a Church. To me this is the crucial difference between vibrant faith and dusty religion.  ...
1 comment
Read more