May has been a big month! I was so busy that I hardly found any time to write any new posts. But it’s been a great month, part of the continuum of this year of Unceasing Fruitfulness.
May was also a month when I learnt to rest in Christ’s strength.
Certainly, being part of Converge has been a great ministry blessing. I was blessed to see so much of the Church in the city of Perth coming together in unity, particular worship ministers at a grassroots level. Relationships have been formed which I think will endure into the future, forging unity through the pillar of worship which will play a critical role in the transformation of the city.
It was also great just to work with worshippers hungering together after God’s presence and to meet some new people.
Someone said to me today that God was increasing my influence in this city. I’m not sure whether that is true or not. But what I am sure of is that this is not the goal. The goal is to see the increase of the influence of the church in the city. I’m just one part of that process.
But the process has also involved a lot of hard work.
And in the midst of it all, I was so busy at the office with two of the partners being on holidays. It was busy during working hours, and it was busy after working hours!
There were times I felt completely out of my depth and thoroughly inadequate for the task I was assigned. In all of it however, I learnt Paul’s lesson in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (MSG):
And He said to me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
The weaker I get, the stronger I become; or rather, the greater Christ’s strength in me.
So many times, those who counselled me told me to relax, not to stress, to take it easy. In principle, I agreed. But in reality, I struggled. But it was a lesson they’ve already learnt through their many years of ministry. And now, it was a lesson I had to learn for myself as well.
I am so grateful for the counsel and prayers of my leaders and mentors. And I’m grateful for Christ’s strength, shining through in the moments of my greatest weakness that allows me to keep in good cheer, to take limitations in my stride and to let Christ take over!
The Worship Revolution 