This might be cheating since it happened in July and not June, but it’s been a real encouragement this week. Last Sunday, I was able to run a supporter’s event at Rosemeadow and Appin Anglican Churches (my previous church). I got up and spoke about what church is like at St. John’s, what ministries have been a joy, and what things have been difficult. I was reminded of and encouraged by two things:
- That you guys are a joy to serve with and alongside. It has been a joy to see so many of my brothers and sisters here at St. John’s excited and earnest for our neighbours to hear the gospel and know Jesus. It is exciting and refreshing to know how much you love Jesus!
- Whilst I have been pretty sad to move churches, partly because it’s my first church move and partly because my family didn’t move with me, my time at Rosemeadow reminded me of the mission in mind. The gospel needs to go to the ends of the earth! And seeing the joy that Rosemeadow and Appin had, in supporting me and in sending me out for the mission, was a really good reminder of what is at stake here!
Learning
This month has been all about joy. If you can’t tell from the couple times I mentioned it – I’ve been rejoicing for all the blessings God has given me this month! But I’ve been reflecting on whether my joy stays the same when times are not as easy.
Paul tells the Philippians to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always!’, and I used to be really annoyed at this. How can someone be that happy all the time? I’ve learnt that my view of joy has been quite narrow-minded. Joy is not just happiness, joy is bigger than that. And joy does not mean you have to pretend to be happy all the time!
But, in John 15, Jesus tells us that our joy is complete because he lives in us. The basis of joy is not in our experiences – which fluctuate all the time. It’s definitely not from our feelings of happiness (no matter how happy you are you cannot be happy all the time!). Joy is the thread that runs through all of our experiences, founded on the hope of Christ in us! And Jesus is steadfast, both when life is good, and when life sucks.
Thank God for:
- A restful leave and time spent with family
- The partnership event at Rosemeadow and Appin
- The brothers and sisters at Rosemeadow and Appin, their love and willingness to support me
Pray:
- For more opportunities to be reminded of God’s grace shown in his people
- That the supporter’s event would bear fruit
- That we would all remember to rejoice in the Lord always
The Marsden Fund 