Day 35 — The Vision Hasn't Changed

Matthew 5:14

‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.’

So much has changed in the last few weeks. Everything about the way we ‘do’ church has had to shift and evolve… and yet the vision remains the same. If anything this crisis has brought our vision to be ‘Light for the City’ into sharper focus.

Tim and I have often spoken about how the outworking of that vision will mean that we need to be a church that effectively learns how to ‘gather’ and ‘scatter’. It would seem that, through this crisis, God is wanting to teach ALL of us what it means to be church when we aren’t in the building. To not just to ‘go’ to church but to ‘be’ the church.

Our vision hasn’t changed to be Light for the City but it’s over to you.

My sense as I’ve been praying over the last few days is that Lord God is wanting, by his Spirit, to fill each of us with a new boldness and courage to be carriers of the light of Jesus at this time. Whether that’s inviting people to church online or Alpha, or praying more fervently with an increased faith to believe that God is on the move, or volunteering through Love Your Neighbour to serve the most vulnerable in our city; there has never been a time like it for bravely holding out the light of Jesus to those who don’t know him.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, would you fill me now with your transforming presence. Would you give me a new boldness to be your light at this time. Would you call to mind anyone who I need to reach to. Would you show me how I can be that light today. Amen.

Rachel Hughes
Lead Pastor