God is bringing a spirit shift
I was walking through the meadows early one morning a week or so ago and was stunned at what I saw. The beautiful park in the middle of our city was covered in litter. The day before had seen glorious sunshine and so people flocked to enjoy the space but what was left behind was well, rubbish. It perhaps sounds dramatic but a wave of thoughts flooded my mind: frustration, anger, disappointment. I bemoaned the lack of care and respect. I was stunned at the sheer volume of the mess I was seeing. As I circled the park I began to consider that the mess was a reflection of the city. It was an outward sign of the brokenness of the city. As I circled the park what had started as outrage turned to upset... I was moved to love the city. I came to realise, in some 20 minutes, that part of the issue was that I didn't have a response. I didn't have the physical tools to start the clean up for a start. I probably didn't even have the appetite to do it. Did I have the humility or care to put on some gloves grab a bag and help clean up the mess?
As we've been hearing through our Church DNA series each of us have a major role to play - not to build a church (Jesus said he'd do that) but to love our city. It's Gods intention to take what we've messed up and make it beautiful. He plans to use ordinary folk like you and me to change the dynamic within our city and to release his kingdom into the spaces and places where we are. The gathered church is wonderful but only to the extent, it scatters what's received when it's gathered!
I've been challenged by the messy sight of the meadows that church is not really about better services, bigger gatherings, more people - it's about being a vehicle for Gods redemptive and restorative plan. It's us intentionally considering the needs of our communities and going all in to love them back to life! I believe God is bringing a spirit shift, an alignment of his plan for the church and he wants us all the get on board. I'm excited to partner with him who "placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." Jesus, our head, is not lacking in the resource of love, may we be filled with that sacrificial affection for our city!
-Pastor Jacob
