Miriam Thurlow writes:
It was great to gather volunteers together from across the CCBN Network this Tuesday for a vision morning. We gave thanks for what God has done over the last year and looked ahead to the coming year. As we look ahead and set vision together it is important to remember the WHY of what we do. As a Network of Churches, we seek to be those who are Living the Gospel: Serving the health and well-being of our communities, being those who live out Isaiah 61.
Isaiah 61:1-4 talks about a THEY which receives the Good News, freedom, restoration, and comfort found in him, but WHO is this THEY? Well, they are the poor, the broken-hearted, the captives and the prisoners.
But more than that, this THEY receive a new identity in knowing God and so instead of being called the poor, the broken-hearted, the captive and the prisoners they are called oaks of righteousness, a planting to display his splendour, his glory.
So, is the Bible just talking about people in the past? Well, let me ask you a few questions:
o Have your ever struggled with a lack of something? Perhaps money, or friendship?
o Have you ever felt broken-hearted?
o Have you ever felt captive to something, trapped in a cycle you can’t get out of?
o Have you ever felt like your freedom has been taken away?
I’m guessing like me you can probably answer yes to at least one of those questions. Who are the THEY that get transformed into Oaks of Righteousness - we are the they! And that means we are the Oaks of Righteousness, we are planted to display His splendour, God’s glory can shine through us!
And God has a role for us as Oaks of Righteousness to display his splendour: to join Him in His work of building up (v4)
· Rebuild ruins: Where is God asking us to rebuild ruins here in Bridlington?
· Repair generational destruction: What generational cycles of behaviour does God want to end?
· Revive our town: Where would you like to see new life in our town?
As we head into the Autumn, let’s do so prayerfully and remember the WHY of why we do what we do.