Absolutely nothing!

This evening I had an awesome encounter on my way home from work. Walking through Peckham Square, I saw a guy that we see quite often with Street Pastors. He was sitting on his own so I went and joined him. He was feeling down, thinking that because of certain situations in his life, things he had done, he had blown his chances with God. What an honour it was to share with him the amazing truth that however far he felt he'd strayed from God, at no point during that time had God left him. I was able to share with him some verses from Romans that had been on my mind a lot recently:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35, 37-39)

This guy was blown away when he realised that; and it made me so excited as I watched him light up. That is what my life is about, and it was good to be reminded and given fresh encouragement of the passion that I have to see these lives changed in such a dramatic way.

But aside from that, as I carried on walking home, it struck me that so often I didn't remember that basic truth that is the basis of our faith. How often I too think that I've blown it when I mess up - that this time is the last straw. It's been refreshing for me to ponder those words afresh.

I'm reading Philip Yancey's "What's so Amazing About Grace" at the moment - I've read it before but I sensed I needed to remind myself of some of the basic truths that I so often forget. In it, Yancey writes:

"I grew up with the image of a mathematical God who weighed my good and bad deeds on a set of scales and always found me wanting. Somehow I missed the God of the Gospels, a God of mercy and generosity who keeps finding ways to shatter the relentless laws of ungrace...Grace makes its appearance in so many forms that I have trouble defining it. I am ready, though, to attept something life a definition of grace in relation to God. Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more - no amount of spiritual calisthenics and renunciations, no amount of knowledge gained from seminaries and divinity schools, no amount of crusading on behalf of righteous causes. And grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less - no amount of racism or pride or pornography or adultery or even murder. Grace means that God loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love."

How we need to be reminded of that. That said, it's not something to be taken lightly - it's not a get out of jail pass that means we can do what we want...because actions still have consequences! But one thing that will never change is the love that God has for you and for me.

Go on, in the name of God and in the power of His might...

I recently came across this in John Wesley's last letter - which he wrote to William Wilberforce:

"Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be fore you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it."

Where there is no vision...

It's been so long since I last posted here. It would be a lie to say that nothing has been going on that was worthy of posting, because so much has happened, so much has changed, I'm still recovering from it all! There have been times since my last post when I've completely lost sight of the passion and the calling that I have - sometimes for long periods of time, and I really suffered for that. The proverb is true; "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Paul urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus - how important it is, amidst anything else, to not lose sight of your reason for living, and the passions that you have.

I've been reading Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster), and have been really challenged to press deeper in to God in prayer and in worship. As I've been reminded of my passions, and been given renewed energy to pursue them, I've also been reminded that I can do nothing by myself, and that anything and everything I seek to do for God needs to be totally grounded in prayer and worship. John Wesley says, "God does nothing except in answer to prayer".

I know that I am called to be a parent to Ashley, a partner to Hazel, and a pastor to all those who I come across; be that in Peckham or anywhere else. I know that in all things I'm called to bless, encourage, and share laughter with everyone that I meet. And, ultimately, I know that I am called to share Jesus with the hurting and the broken. All of these have many challenges associated - but scripture tells us that God is enough, and that He will supply all of our needs. And prayer is the backbone to that, and I feel challenged now more than ever to be interceding for Hazel, for Ashley, and for the people of Peckham.

I've had some beautiful moments with Ashley recently where I've been really touched and have seen God in him clearly...but it's also made me more aware of the spiritual responsibility that parents have for their children - it's up to us to be constantly praying for him as he grows, and ensuring that he is raised in a way that glorifys God. And he won't take what we tell him about God seriously unless he sees it in our lives.

I'm challenged when I look through the Bible and see people gathering for worship, expecting and knowing God's presence. When Moses entered the Tabernacle he knew he was entering the presence of God, he wasn't surprised one week when He felt God move. Reading Acts, we see the most amazing things happening in the early church...but it is normal to people, they expect it, such is the level of expectation and their knowledge of who God is. Let us raise our expectations!!

Bit of a disjointed post, but now I've got back to blogging I'll write in more detail soon as I press deeper into these things!