Salutations,
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on here but my hit counter shows this blog is still attracting sometimes up to three views a day! It is for these dedicated few that I’ve decided to begin updating on a reasonably regular basis again. I hope that I can keep friends and supporters updated about my movements and use this blog to share my experiences and reflections on following Jesus in this country and at this time in history.
So I’ve been back from Kenya for 8 weeks now and I’ve been trying to keep busy by looking for work, thinking about the future, doing a bit of preaching and using my time well, with varying degrees of success. I allotted some time to rest, both physically and spiritually, upon returning to the UK but with that time well past I’ve been exploring a number of avenues for that much sought after revelation, the ‘next step’. My time in Kenya taught me much and increased my interest in pursuing some sort of Christian ministry/service long term. My intention for some time has been to go to bible college, to this end I visited a couple and I’ve been on the phone to a bunch of others.
I’m not entirely sure that it’s the right thing at the moment though. I’m not sure I want to be a full time student again. It’s still open but I’ve got no strong conviction that it’s the right thing to pursue. I’ve looked at other options also, various church and ministry based routes and whilst I’ve been able to eliminate some I’ve yet to find anything that really feels right. There’s currently one more option in the pipeline which I won’t disclose yet. I have a meeting with the right people soon, hopefully that will bring some clarity either way.
I have applied for a number of jobs to fill this interim period but with no result yet. ‘Inundated with applications’ was one response I received. The job hunt has gone on hold temporarily until I complete my civic duty by appearing for jury service in a week. Lasting for approximately two weeks I’ll rededicate myself to finding some work when it’s up.
I have been trying to make the most of my free time though looking back on the past few weeks I rue the time that I could have used better. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the bible and in study which I am enjoying a lot. I really like this short clip on why theology matters. I study because I want to understand who God is, what He wants me to do, how I can make Him smile, not because I have to but because I want to. I want to understand how He relates to me and how everything I encounter in this life relates to Him. I want to know how God would like me to act in certain situations so I can honour him when I find myself in that very circumstance. Everything is spiritual, everything can be done to the glory or dishonour of God, even the things we do in His name. I know which side of the line I want to be on, and so I read, pray, study and learn that I may live.
That was a digression but a valid one. Otherwise I’ve shared my experiences in Kenya with a number of homegroups from church and last week was teaching at a church in Coventry. The rest of the time I’ve spent driving around visiting friends and family showing photos and recounting stories. I have a handful of preaching engagements in the next couple of months. The next one being tomorrow in Nuneaton. It’s exciting to be breaking into this sort of thing and learning on the job.
I pray for ‘a spirit of wisdom and revelation’ (Eph 1:17) as I seek God for the next thing and for my daily walk right now. Particularly as I spend time preparing sermons and take the first steps into preaching and teaching. I would ask for your prayers also.
Posted on April 19, 2010
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