A Church with a Heart for our Community

February 23rd Thursday

Greetings in the name of the One who exceeds all expectations and redefines our potential, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Another delightful late winter’s day in the Kingdom – makes you wonder…’what is going to happen next’? I was rather hoping that this was the year that my team wins the Stanley Cup…but it isn’t cold enough – yet! Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to touch your weaknesses with his strength, to brighten your dark moments with his light, and to release his love into those moments when you least deserve it, but most need it.

So I told you about my ‘condition’ – spiritual lethargy – and so Father decided that I needed a little more direction. Yesterday He sent me a word through a quotation from John Wimber John was the founder of the Vineyard Churches and had a beautiful spiritual sensitivity that allowed him practical insight to the life of a Christ-follower. “‘FAITH'”, said Wimber, “is a four-letter word that is spelled, ‘R-I-S-K’.” 

Just as I was processing the significance of that to me and what I was supposed to do with it, He sent another revised definition. In the prayer of Jabez that I referred to – ‘expand my territory’, I suppose that my definition of ‘territory’ meant –  area of influence, my ministry, my congregation, my circle of friends. I was challenged to think of ‘territories’ as people. In particular, people who because of their prejudices and biases and opinions and even ethnicity I had not interacted with…new territories. I have reminded lately that there are many who need the touch of God’s love – a new neighbour across the street, a person from a different faith/cultural background, a homeless teenager (yes, they are trying to survive in my little city), a young woman standing lost outside a methadone clinic.. ‘New territories’ come with a need for – RISK. If we could see it, there would be a note attached to each ‘new territory’ that says: “Some Assembly Required”.

Perhaps my ‘spiritual lethargy’ is related to being afraid to risk. It is easier to ignore or criticise or dismiss. I am beginning to accept that asking God for ‘new territory’ is really dangerous. What will happen if I can do it?

Have a great day – be blessed!