Let's make it a summer of faith...! (c.f. Revelation 3: 15)
"Teach me Lord, in my moments of joy and celebration, to know that You're the same as You were yesterday, You are still the same today and will remain the everlasting Redeemer well unto eternity..."Who of us, when having an 11am daily prayer time, will stop in the middle of sunbathing during holiday, in a crowded beach at 11am and say their prayers right in the milieu of revelry? The reality is that most of us will 'feel embarrassed' to do that in public and indeed we will have corresponding scripture verses to back up our shame, for instance by arguing along the lines that Christ's teaching says the right hand shouldn't know what the left is doing. Often the rationale is that we will catch up later and we seldom do. One day missed (away from our prayer time with Jesus) turns to three and before we know it, a week or two has passed before we resume our devotional-prayer relationship in Christ.
Somehow, the warm summer days and the times of outdoor living and alfresco dining tend to create in us a self-centred approach to life that even minimises the faith we have in Christ Jesus. An intentional approach to our summer holidays in exercising our faith can be a great catalyst to encouraging non-believers to know the truth of the Gospel message as exemplified in our behaviour. We have a choice to make it a summer of faith! Conforming to secular patterns of living just because we're afraid of being ridiculed or humiliated publicly is for me tantamount to us being closet Christians. Christ endured the worst kind of humiliation and public scorn in order to save us and did not count the cost on Himself. We too can serve God's Kingdom in earnest by being true to our faith. As John writes from the Island of Patmos in Revelation 3:15; we need to be clear who we are and what we aspire to in our Christian life. This can happen positively if we remain the people God intends for us to be - always giving honour to Him!
I therefore implore us to so exercise our faith this summer such that those who come into contact with us are in no doubt as to who is the King and Ruler of our lives. The best form of evangelism is when we live out our Christian calling in every day circumstances under normal conditions so that all can see our works and glorify our Father in heaven.
Let's make this summer a summer of faith where every believer will be a shining light to all around. Where the healing name of Jesus is on every lip and the hope for our world is expressed in our faith behaviour. Events like Hope Cafe and Messy Church should not just end within the walls of our buildings but we can and should feel challenged to take them into our communities and streets such that those we invite in our homes to share with us will see that it's not just a 'building thing' but a relationship thing!
We will build a lasting face of faith in people's minds when we can take what we do in church into their immediate vicinity where they can truly see that we practise what we preach. Revelation 3:15 & 16 is about us being a Christian presence in all that we do, all that we are and in all that we hope for. It is a call to stop confusing the world and living dualistic lives but rather to always shine for the faith we hold in Christ Jesus. Participation in warm community events like Messy Church in Minet Park, Strawberry tea and Hayes Carnival is not a matter of just doing and therefore jostling for crowds but is in essence, an imperative of our faith where as a Christ centred church we seek to live out visible life-values which build our community and bring people into the saving grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
As you look forward to the summer holidays, a time of rest, refreshment and renewal, I pray that God will embrace you in His love and give you immense joy such that your every smile and expression shines forth His glory. Walk faithfully, play lovingly, express your faith freely and be not ashamed to share the beauty of Christ that lies in you with everyone.
God is forever faithful to us in every season; let us remain His faithful servants in all we do, no matter the season or place! In His grace...
From the desk of Revd. Jongikaya Zihle.