There’s been a really special season of roller coastering going on here.
As a group we’ve met weekly more often than not. We’ve had a varied time of relationship and blessing but things have begun to gel sweetly. There’s something very special about really getting to know one another, seeing how the Lord works in each and every life with which we are engaged. It’s also such a blessing to know that when times are difficult that your friends are not going to let you down, let you get away with things and will keep pointing you to the source of all wisdom – God!
There have been patches when it seems that life beyond the Institution is too hard and it has been tempting to go back and return to passivity. But there is something just too rich and deep going on.
We met with a brother who had commented on an earlier posting and what a blessed time that was. It was most definitely a divine appointment both in terms of encouragement but also in testifying to a complete stranger about what we felt the Lord was doing in our lives and our group. Then we collectively shared and reinforced the understanding that the more we attempt to define and reproduce, the further away from a deeper leading we seem to get. Instead we are confident in the working of the Holy Spirit as we continue to look to the Lord and follow what we believe to be His promptings.
A while ago I felt so excited about what we are doing that I just wanted to get into the old Dave and push out the PR boat, do a bit of rooftop singing and send out invitations to every one and their dog. However, every time I got close to the point of going public, when I got quiet in the study, it seemed that the Lord was telling me “Not yet!”. Never a “No!” but always with the promise of soon. Today as we visited one of our favourite Sunday Fellowships, I read the pewsheet and as I checked out the reading from which the sermon would be drawn, I felt an impression from the Lord that the time is now.
I’ve had my bits and pieces ready to go for ages but at last I can use them and hopefully, if I’ve heard right we’ll see the Lord lead us to engage with others : saved and pre-saved.
We are calling our little group Jasciah Fellowship. It’s an acronym standing for Just Another Simple Church In A House. As I’ve been reading over the months and weeks, I’ve come across lots of material, models of fellowshipping, challenges which have really made me think hugely about how I want to be church from now on. You’ll find a link on the side bar to Jasciah. Maybe in the future there’ll be a blog…but maybe not. Maybe there’ll be an advert in the local press inviting interested parties to an eser, missim or mia group … I don’t know for sure yet – that’s not been revealed to me. I simply know that I am doing what I believe the Lord has called me into.
A big thankyou to those of you who have encouraged me or challenged me in equal parts. It’s all been so worthwhile.
“where the Spirit of the Lord is – there is liberty!” Hallelujah!
