Mark Carey writes
Five years ago I became the Vicar here - it is a great privilege to serve here. I've found myself reflecting on three areas that on looking back seem to have been important.
Tales of the Unexpected
The last five years have been full of unexpected circumstances and events. Responding to the unexpected is part of being a disciple - we do it by leaning into trust in our Saviour.
No quick fixes
I've found that I have to put down my tendency to find short cuts in response to challenging circumstances. Jesus was offered short cuts by the Devil and he resisted temptation by leaning heavily into the promises of God in scripture.
Invest in the unseen
I've increasingly been drawn to the value of prayer. Picturing an iceberg with less than 20% visible and more than 80% unseen. When we pray, fast and give we are investing in the unseen. I'm sensing an increasing call from God to go deep with him in a world that usually only focusses on what is visible and seen.
Speaking of investing in the unseen:
I am calling us to 10 days of prayer and fasting from Wednesday 23rd November to Saturday 3rd December.
A significant part of this will be a Daniel Fast - Daniel denied himself what an earthly king offered in luxury food to prioritise what God provides. His intentional fasting brought him to a place of extraordinary influence. Taking part in fasting and times of prayer during this time is a significant investment in prioritising God first during this time of world-wide turmoil and change.
Everyone can join in with this in some way.
Will you?