Highlight
I’ve spent the last two weeks of May on Tour! What is that? A ten day intensive unit that college does for first years, where we go up to Scott’s Head, to learn about community – whilst living in community! Why is it called Tour? No idea haha!
Even though I have already done this subject during Year 13, it was good to be reminded of why pursuing godliness is so important, and the way my own character is reflected in my ministries.
Two highlights were:
- Reading Bonhoeffer’s ‘Life Together’. This is a book I probably never would’ve picked up, unless I absolutely had to. But, Bonhoeffer had some absolute gems of wisdom for Christian community, that I just enjoyed so much, this book became un-put-downable. Although he does have some interesting opinions here and there, feel free to ask me about them in person! One of my favourite lines was: ‘If my sinfulness appears to me in any way smaller or less detestable in comparison with the sins of others, I am still not recognizing my sinfulness at all.’
- Visiting Nambucca Valley Anglican Church. On the Sunday of our tour, we got to visit NVAC, a small-town, regional church, which tripled in attendance when we walked in! How different is that to our gathering in Parramatta?! It was such a unique experience to see the way they did church – and an encouragement to speak to all our brothers and sisters who attend. These people, who have been following God for much longer than I’ve even been alive, humbly and lovingly wanted to know about me and what I was learning!
Learning
May has been a month of so much self-reflection! I’ve been thinking about who I am as a sinful human, who I am as a Christian and who Jesus is.
Reading Bonhoeffer, I’ve been learning how important it is that I, as a Christian, love church no matter where that is. Bonhoeffer writes that it is a privilege and joy when church doesn’t meet our expectations. That, when it doesn’t, God humbles us, reminding us that we are all still being sanctified. But the hope is that we will see each other at the eternal gathering, where sin can no longer break us apart!
I’ve also been reminded of how much sin corrupts and destroys me. Tour is a time we’re all forced to look inwards and it can be really dark. Since Jesus is the goal, I have such a long way to go still. But thank God for Jesus! I’m learning to keep looking back at Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. But most importantly, keep moving forward, knowing that it is grace that saves. How good is God!
Thankful For:
- Tour: That it was a fruitful time in my personal and spiritual formation
- God’s providence of energy throughout a busy couple of weeks
Pray for:
- The saints at Nambucca Valley, that they would remain steadfast in the faith they have received. Pray that God would continue to grow the church there, and help Peter, the new minister, to settle in well
- For me to have energy to return to church work and to get through the last couple of weeks of exams!
The Marsden Fund 