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8 August 2007
Part of a special week of studies focusing on serving God and following his call.
Acts 8:5-6
Philip went to the city of Samaria and preached about the Christ. When the people there heard Philip and saw the miracles he was doing, they all listened carefully to what he said.
As someone called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in words and in action, the situation Philip found himself in would be my utopia. The miracles were flowing, he had opportunities to speak - and best of all, the people were actually listening and responding. So God told him to leave the great revival and head south, to stand by the roadside in the desert!
Surely, if I'm in a good place, happy and settled, even effective in ministry for God, he would never call me out of that "good place?" Well yes, actually, he just might. It can be unsettling and unnerving hearing and responding to God's call, but there are few more tragic people I've come across than those who acquired spiritual deafness when God was calling their name.
I dislike Xplore being called a Gap Year programme - because a gap is just something to fill, whereas the vision for Xplore is that for those who take part it will be a year which will set the direction for the rest of their lives!
I left what would in all probability have been perfectly good, productive life in order to follow God's call. Maybe you are in exactly the place God wants you to be - if so, don't even consider moving on. But it is always good to ask!
God, I only want to be in the place you want me to be. Give me the discernment and wisdom to know where that place is, the courage to stay or to go, and the grace to accept your good and perfect will for my life. Amen
Written by Phil Clark, Programme Leader for Xplore - Church Army's new Global Gap Year programme.
Part of a special week of studies focusing on serving God and following his call.
Acts 8:5-6
Philip went to the city of Samaria and preached about the Christ. When the people there heard Philip and saw the miracles he was doing, they all listened carefully to what he said.
As someone called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in words and in action, the situation Philip found himself in would be my utopia. The miracles were flowing, he had opportunities to speak - and best of all, the people were actually listening and responding. So God told him to leave the great revival and head south, to stand by the roadside in the desert!
Surely, if I'm in a good place, happy and settled, even effective in ministry for God, he would never call me out of that "good place?" Well yes, actually, he just might. It can be unsettling and unnerving hearing and responding to God's call, but there are few more tragic people I've come across than those who acquired spiritual deafness when God was calling their name.
I dislike Xplore being called a Gap Year programme - because a gap is just something to fill, whereas the vision for Xplore is that for those who take part it will be a year which will set the direction for the rest of their lives!
I left what would in all probability have been perfectly good, productive life in order to follow God's call. Maybe you are in exactly the place God wants you to be - if so, don't even consider moving on. But it is always good to ask!
God, I only want to be in the place you want me to be. Give me the discernment and wisdom to know where that place is, the courage to stay or to go, and the grace to accept your good and perfect will for my life. Amen
Written by Phil Clark, Programme Leader for Xplore - Church Army's new Global Gap Year programme.
