There has been much to celebrate across the circuit. This is my fourth year with you all, and as I write I find myself in the ‘season of covenant services’. As I reflect I am mindful that I could never have predicted what God has done. New people have become involved in the life of our churches. Others have taken on new roles, and have not just done ‘ok’ but have blossomed and are being mightily used by God. Some of our local churches – and indeed we as a circuit have stepped out in faith and tried new things, and the results are beyond anything we can imagine. Oh, and I am I right in thinking that despite some of the set things we are obliged to cover, our circuit meetings (and other gatherings) are ‘fun’, perhaps even joyous at times? Our problem, especially when we arrange our agendas for circuit meeting, is that there is so much good news to share, and not enough time.
As I reflect, and as I am honest with myself, I am also minded that I could have never predicted some of the challenges that we have encountered on the way. I am sure that the same is true for you in your personal lives and in your commitment to the Church. The word ‘predict’ is important here. I think that it is our desire to want to know the precise detail of where he is leading us and how exactly we will get there, is one of the things that causes us to struggle with our faith. God gives us enough. God is the architect, we are the workers. However, particularly when we are tired, or when we are focused on the immediate, we worry about what is God’s business, or we anticipate problems before they even arrive. We do struggle sometimes because – let’s be honest, we reason with ourselves that if we were God, we would have spoken or acted by now, or done something differently! But by nature, our minds are limited by our own preoccupations and perspectives. Another useful lesson is that just because something is difficult does not mean that it is out-and-out ‘bad’. Jesus never promised that life would be easy: he just promised that he would never leave us.
I have found three basic principles helpful in my own ministry. First, let God be God. Don’t roll out the red carpet for him in the wrong direction! Second, be led by the Holy Spirit, and be attentive to the teachings of Christ. Ask yourself, ‘Where does God want me’. Spot the difference between what you feel obliged to do, and what God is calling you to do. Third, offer yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:2), for in living faithfully as a disciple, throwing yourself into the Christian work, your mind with be transformed, and you will discern the way ahead.