O uncertainty where is your victory?

I think that it’s only human to go through periods of frustration, uncertainty and anxiety. And, most of us will admit to a spot of impatience at such times. We all react in different ways – some bottle up their feelings and trudge on despite their unhappiness, others will make sure that everyone knows what a hard time they’re going through. I think I go through both of those on a daily basis.
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I guess I’m experiencing some uncertainty at the moment. Having recently graduated, my thoughts turned to the future (which for a student is the next 12 months - little steps at a time). As a Christian I believe that God is in control; that He has a master plan, even though I can’t see how it’s all going to end up.
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But how easy is it really to take hope from that truth when you’re in the midst of frustration and things aren’t working out the way that you’d planned. I know that when I wasn’t able to return to study and work in America after Christmas God’s purpose was the last think I could see. And yet, this isn’t a new story. Just imagine the hopelessness that those who loved Jesus would have felt during the final week of his life leading up to his crucifixion.
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I worry about God’s plan for my life, about the next step along the way, where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing. And I rarely react towards the uncertainty in a Christian-like manner – it generally involves lashing out at those who are nearest. But, the Bible is full of people who were quick-tempered and disappointed; many wrote psalms, others prayed to God about their heartache and anger and our hymn books are full of writers inspired by life’s ups and downs.
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The American hymn writer Adelaide Pollard, lived at the turn of the century and believed that God wanted her in Africa as a missionary. However, she couldn’t raise the funds needs to go. In an uncertain state of mind, she attended a prayer meeting where she heard an elderly women pray. “It’s all right, Lord. It doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives, just have your own way with us.” At home that night, much encouraged, she wrote "Have thine own way with me" based on Isaiah 64.
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Verse 4 says that, “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Verse 8 reminds us that, “O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Adelaide Pollard had to be reminded, and often so do we – and what better time than at Easter – that God is alive and at work in our lives and in the world today. Whatever the situation we find ourselves, whether joblessness, bereavement, ill-health or uncertainty God desires to have his way with us. Remind with Him and He will remain with us.

Prayer Letter 7

Dear pray-ers,

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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It’s been just over 5 weeks since my last prayer letter and I’ve been back in the UK since the 22nd December. I have been able to meet many of you, whose prayers have made such a difference to me, my studies and training in ministry since moving to Nashville, Tennessee in July 2008. I am humbled by your faithfulness and reminded that prayer does bring about remarkable changes in the world. Too often I am guilty of neglecting prayer myself, probably because I am not always truly convinced that it accomplishes much. However, as I stand on the brink of a fresh new year, I am challenged to admit again that effective prayer is only made possible by our Mediator, Jesus Christ. This year will hold many things, some good and some bad. But, through it all God has promised to be with us and answer the prayers of those who love him. May we all proceed into 2009 encouraged and re-invigorated in the knowledge of this; inspired to pray fervent and faithful prayers. My hope is that when I open the lines of communication with God I will, above all, delight and depend on him, bathing in his gracious goodness and power.

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On that note, thanks for all your prayers regarding the complicated process of changing and extending my US visa. Most recent developments have meant that my return to Nashville is delayed for a week or so, though not beyond 21st January. Currently, I am waiting to hear from the US Immigration Services who will either approve or reject a petition, submitted by CYMT on my behalf, to apply for a visa extension. Once the petition is approved (there shouldn’t be any real issue with this), I will try and get an appointment with the US Consulate in Belfast. This appointment will be an interview for an employment visa which will allow me to stay in the States until the completion of my training (August 2010). Please continue to pray for this ongoing situation.

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I have managed to talk to Deech Kirk (CYMT Managing Director) and to Rev. Mack Strange (Pastor of Trinity Church, a campus of Brentwood United Methodist Church in Spring Hill) they have reassured me that although I am missing classes and work, they are more concerned with my return – thank God for them. Please remember Mack and the Trinity Church staff, volunteers and the people of Spring Hill in your prayers. The official launch date for the church is the 25th January and much needs done and thought about before then. Pray for the pre-school and children’s ministry, especially for Leslie Weaver who is, in my absence, currently looking after everything in this area. Above all, pray for wisdom and discernment as I return to a larger church family, with a growing number of children and youth who need to know the love of Christ and be welcomed into a vibrant community who desire to see them make meaningful connections with their Creator and Father. Pray for clarity in developing a youth program that will give many opportunities for meeting peers and enjoying the fellowship and security of a loving Christian community.
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Peace,
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Emma

Without vision the people perish

It’s sometimes strange the way certain verses of the bible crop up again and again at various different points along the faith journey. This was the case recently with this verse from Proverbs that my Dad gave me while I was still in High School. This morning at church the talk was based on Luke 2 v 21ff and on the man Simeon. Simeon had a vision from God that showed him that he would not die before setting his eyes on the Saviour of the whole world and human race. He had a spiritual vision that gave him hope and a gift of perspective that others perhaps did not possess. I just thought that this is a message that is almost more pertinent now, in this day and age, when hope and perspective are so difficult to come by. So, as we all face the year 2009 let our prayers be for new eyes and an inquenchible hope in God and his plans for our lifes, our families, communities, nations and the whole world. What a wonderful and refreshing perspective, without which we might as well curl up and die.

Distracted when worshipping God? Anyone...

Today I was responsible for distracting children. Obviously this is not always an undesirable thing, however this particular incidence was an attempt to engage and welcome - gone wrong - it didn't take very long, a matter of seconds really. It's funny how quickly a good idea can backfire. It's also interesting how easily we can become distracted from the things that God wants us to focus on. HIMSELF! Especially in this advent season, our focus is to be solely fixed on God. This does not mean that we are to exclude ourselves from fun and festivities. We are cultural beings after all, God made us that way. Santa, for example, is very much a cultural figure which celebrates the generousity of a real man called Nicholas. Gift-giving is an expression of generousity and enjoying time with our families, eating and singing carols are also good and God-given joys in this world.

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However, at the centre of everything, the motivation for everything, the root of all our fun and cultural rituals - needs to be Christ, the God-man come to earth, humbling himself to show us a better way to live. Not only a better life, but a better way to experience the gifts he has given us in his creation. To be distracted from worshipping the one and only God, creator and sustainer of the universe is wrong. Whether we are singing songs of praise in church, whether we are enjoying a feast with friends and family, whether we are watching sport on TV or playing it on the field or the court - we need to re-orientate, re-ground ourselves in the truth of the matter, the answer to all our questions - JESUS CHRIST. So, Father in our play and in our work may we see you clearly, know your love and celebrate your continuing presence in this world, Amen.