Magic Behind The Mystery
[This week the Gas Street Operations Team look at Jesus from the perspective of their own roles]
Jesus as the Operations Coordinator by James Brumwell
John 2: 7-9 (NIV)
Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water;’ so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
I like to think of my role within the GS Operations team as the one who organises the party. Sundays and events at Gas Street are our opportunity to welcome people into our home; for them to experience the love and joy of our community. My role coordinating these can be pretty task-orientated at times. Although some could see this as mundane (I do love my spreadsheets!) without me doing what I do, and Jesus using me in this practical role, people wouldn’t be able to experience the Gas Street party. And it’s just an added bonus that I get to go along to the party as well!
In Jewish tradition wine is a symbol of joy, so when it ran out in this story, the party hit a crisis. But Jesus stepped in and brought the joy back into the room. Jesus wasn’t afraid of task or process. He wasn’t afraid to delegate and use people, just like you and me, to facilitate others having a good time and experiencing life in all its fulness.
Operations is done best when no one knows it’s happening. By making a plan, crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s, a seamless event can run and no one would have any idea of the process that was involved (‘He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.’) And by preparing well - it allows the kingdom of God to break through, even whilst just having fun!
So let’s ask ourselves, where is God asking you to partner with him today? Where does he want you to bring about structure and process and complete what could on the surface be seen as fairly menial tasks, which actually unlock and facilitate God’s kingdom of joy breaking through?
Prayer: Use me today Father. Change my perspective. Release your joy in and through me and may we see so many more people come and join your party.