out the box

Last week Rachel and I got back from a missions trip to Thonon in France (beautiful region of France - we will definitely be going back on holiday at some point). It was a fantastic 6 six days spent with the Elim church and fantastically hosted by Pastor Luc Favre. We took young people from West Bromwich, Derby and Coventry plus a French teacher from Braintree, two from Spain. We were blown away by the talent, the way that Jesus used them to glorify his name and the ease at which the groups gelled.

Why did these things come to the fore? For many of them this was a first time and an unknown situation which I think helped with the dynamics of the group as everyone was a little unsure what would happen.

The thing is that each was outside their comfortable little box which is "normal life". Amazing things happen when we move out and do something that is not the norm! Some of the people involved would be using their talents back home for sure - but those who weren't?

When we let go of what we have and give it over for the glory of God for the extension of his influence and kingdom we make room for God to fill us and blow us away by the things that he will do in us and through us. We (me included) so often settle for the expected outcomes of our life and church. But what if we began to believe that God could blow our expectations, if only we would give ourselves to him fully nothing held back. I think that to do this we need to get outside the box and do something we have never done before. I then think we will get different results! What is your box? What are your expectations?

I don't know about you but I'm not content to live the normal Christian life that we have become accustomed too. I want to be blown away by Jesus - maker, sustainer and redeemer (Col1:16, 17; Heb 1:2, 3). I want to step out my "box" and do something that make rooms for God to do something unexpected that brings about unexpectedly exciting results because with God nothing is impossible (Matt 19:26; Luke 1:37).

Till next time...