Pilgrim's Progress

Lift Up the Cross

It's that time of year again ... once again the Cross is looming large. Last year the big thing was "by his stripes we are healed". This year it seems to be "When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself."

I know that whatever we do, whether inherited or emerging or pioneering or something else, it's all about leading people to encounter the crucified and risen Jesus. And if that happens, somehow the rest will take on its true perspective.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that the world does not need "professional" leaders, but rather leaders in whose lives the Cross & resurrection of Jesus are seen to be powerfully at work - through our weakness, brokenness and "unfinishedness". Leaders who will make it their aim to keep pointing people to Jesus, who refuse to gather a following for themselves, who are content to be signposts.

"Don't talk about it. The rose doesn't have to propagate its perfume. It just gives it forth and people are drawn to it. Don't talk about it. Live it. And people will come to see the source of your power." (Ghandi)

In the image, there are about 56,000 people in the crowd. I believe a time is coming when many, many more will be gathered in.

More creative stuff to come I think.

Waiting

I have SO many questions at the moment. Something needs to change in my situation but I'm not entirely sure what it is. I'm waiting for God to do someTHING, someTIME, but what? When? All I know is that something inside says "something isn't right" and "there is more" but what am I waiting for and when will it happen?

Know the feeling?

Seems God's people are world leaders in waiting. Just flick through the Psalms:

I am still confident of this
That I will see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Be strong, take heart and WAIT for the Lord.
(Ps 27)

OK, Lord, I'm waiting. For you. For something to happen. Sometime ... I'm waiting. I'm looking at you to see what you will do. I'm waiting ...

P.S. One of the main Hebrew verbs for "to wait" also means "to hope" but that's another post!
P.P.S "Wait" and "Hope" together occur 55 times in the Psalms (a range of contexts but you get the idea!)