Fighting so hard for something so close to you is tough. It's easier if you want it less, if there is less at stake or if you can give up, walk away and get over it. But when it's your family and what's at stake feels like everything and the circumstances are so unfair, so steeped in the enemy it's hard to recognise the Jesus in those who instigate. They are formed in the image of the same God I worship fervently and have the same capability/potential to carry his glory, spread his love and advance his kingdom as I do. So yet it becomes complicated as life ever does. I am called to love them, to forgive them, to believe for them and all the rest of it yet fight the injustice, believe for my family, expect miracles. It seems so irreconcilable. These 2 extremes seem so at odds that my mind cannot comprehend which is more important. Where do I start? How do I pray about this? How do I honour my parents fight for my family and at the same time love the people who make life so consistently terrible for them? How do I forgive people when I know they are not yet done with the evil they wish to invoke?
And that's where I come back to basics. The essence of the gospel, the whole point of Jesus is love. God IS love. And so love must be at the centre of all I do. my actions, my battles, my triumphs, my words, my deeds, my thoughts.
What this means for this situation and probably countless others I have yet to figure out. This is as far as I've got but figured it was a pretty good starting place.
Thursday 27 October 2011
Sunday 2 October 2011
One Church, many locations:marking my territory in my campus.
So this week the fantastically engaging and dynamic Pastor Perry Noble spoke at my church. I was humbled and honoured to have someone who's invested so much and poured so much into a movement that has impacted and changed the course of my life irreparably- it was such a privilege. I was lucky enough to be there in the morning at Hereford campus and at the evening in Cardiff- my campus.
What really struck me about tonight was that it's my campus. Yes I'm a Freedomite but I had overlooked just how passionate I am about my patch. But I am passionate, about my city, my country, my family and friends, my people and overarchingly my God! Reconciling the two and remarrying them is my passion. Freedom is my church but Cardiff is my city. I will go wherever God takes me but I truly feel called to Cardiff. I have a job to do here and to know that Pastor Perry Noble and Newspring church are behind the Freedom movement means the momentum we've fought for can continue. To have a church that big and a pastor so very talented in executing the word of God and advancing his kingdom behind us is so humbling. The finance and resource they provide is so powerful and important and their faith in Pastor Gary's vision moves me so much. But more than that it stirs in me a sense of recommitment to my city, my tribe, the vision of my church and taking responsibility for that.
The fact that so many people are plagued by mental health issues or depression or drugs or alcohol abuse in South Wales breaks my heart. All around me I see lost people needing light and life in their lives possibly for the first time. I get convicted every time I go into town on a Friday night and see people marring their lives and seeking comfort and affirmation in the wrong places and forming their identity made of something so fragile.
I know that this is all probably in no small way accidental but I certainly hope and pray that as the core of Freedom Cardiff equip themselves and put on our armour ready for battle that we are up to the challenge. Because there will be challenge and opposition but with a boom that displays God's joy, a wildfire passion that captivates the hearts of the Welsh people again, a shirt off my back attitude and the enthusiasm and willingness to relentlessly reach our city I think it can be done. All I know is I will strive to swallow my pride and conquer my social awkwardness and start conversations about God and church with people, follow them up, invite people along and believe for them that change and conversion are possible. Once I get them to church I've no doubt that God will move in their life.
I'm excited for my church and all it achieves. I'm excited about Bristol planting next week and Belgium next year. I love the visions Pastor Gary is bold enough to dream, the seeds Freedom are confident enough to sow and the fruit reaped as a result but I may not be called to this campus or even church forever. But for now, just for now I am firmly planted in Cardiff and dedicated to seeing it won for Christ.
What really struck me about tonight was that it's my campus. Yes I'm a Freedomite but I had overlooked just how passionate I am about my patch. But I am passionate, about my city, my country, my family and friends, my people and overarchingly my God! Reconciling the two and remarrying them is my passion. Freedom is my church but Cardiff is my city. I will go wherever God takes me but I truly feel called to Cardiff. I have a job to do here and to know that Pastor Perry Noble and Newspring church are behind the Freedom movement means the momentum we've fought for can continue. To have a church that big and a pastor so very talented in executing the word of God and advancing his kingdom behind us is so humbling. The finance and resource they provide is so powerful and important and their faith in Pastor Gary's vision moves me so much. But more than that it stirs in me a sense of recommitment to my city, my tribe, the vision of my church and taking responsibility for that.
The fact that so many people are plagued by mental health issues or depression or drugs or alcohol abuse in South Wales breaks my heart. All around me I see lost people needing light and life in their lives possibly for the first time. I get convicted every time I go into town on a Friday night and see people marring their lives and seeking comfort and affirmation in the wrong places and forming their identity made of something so fragile.
I know that this is all probably in no small way accidental but I certainly hope and pray that as the core of Freedom Cardiff equip themselves and put on our armour ready for battle that we are up to the challenge. Because there will be challenge and opposition but with a boom that displays God's joy, a wildfire passion that captivates the hearts of the Welsh people again, a shirt off my back attitude and the enthusiasm and willingness to relentlessly reach our city I think it can be done. All I know is I will strive to swallow my pride and conquer my social awkwardness and start conversations about God and church with people, follow them up, invite people along and believe for them that change and conversion are possible. Once I get them to church I've no doubt that God will move in their life.
I'm excited for my church and all it achieves. I'm excited about Bristol planting next week and Belgium next year. I love the visions Pastor Gary is bold enough to dream, the seeds Freedom are confident enough to sow and the fruit reaped as a result but I may not be called to this campus or even church forever. But for now, just for now I am firmly planted in Cardiff and dedicated to seeing it won for Christ.
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