A message from our Vicar
February 2018
STEPPING OUT IN FAITH
but I focus on one thing:
forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize
for which God, through Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3: 13 - 14
forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize
for which God, through Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3: 13 - 14
If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.”
This book's title is actually summing up the whole book. When Peter expressed his desire to come to Jesus while Jesus was walking on the water, Jesus' simple answer to him was “Come”. Then Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (Matthew 14: 29).
Stepping out in faith is never easy: it means leaving the comfort zone we have become so used to, and walking in the uncertain and unknown, less travelled, road.
In our journey with God we are all called to step out in faith towards God and towards His mission in this world. We have to admit this is so hard, painful and scary as we are leaving our safe boat and stepping out into the roaring wind and waves. You journey to tomorrow with no certainty or warranty except your faith and trust in God and His goodness. But what if this is the life with God?! What if this is the Christian journey that is to rely on God, and Him alone, who is your only warranty in this life and not on your predictability or the ability to control things and people? Maybe that is what makes someone like N. D. Walsch say “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Brothers and sisters, I do not know what stepping out in faith will look like for you this year and beyond; maybe it is to begin a new thing, a new carrier, a new ministry or a new way of life. Maybe you will stand down from things that are preventing and distracting you from responding to God and His call in your life. It is interesting to see that many of us in our church community, at the beginning of 2018, are going through this way or the other: it is uncomfortable but exciting.
May God's voice reassure you: My beloved child, fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed for I am God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you and I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This book's title is actually summing up the whole book. When Peter expressed his desire to come to Jesus while Jesus was walking on the water, Jesus' simple answer to him was “Come”. Then Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (Matthew 14: 29).
Stepping out in faith is never easy: it means leaving the comfort zone we have become so used to, and walking in the uncertain and unknown, less travelled, road.
In our journey with God we are all called to step out in faith towards God and towards His mission in this world. We have to admit this is so hard, painful and scary as we are leaving our safe boat and stepping out into the roaring wind and waves. You journey to tomorrow with no certainty or warranty except your faith and trust in God and His goodness. But what if this is the life with God?! What if this is the Christian journey that is to rely on God, and Him alone, who is your only warranty in this life and not on your predictability or the ability to control things and people? Maybe that is what makes someone like N. D. Walsch say “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Brothers and sisters, I do not know what stepping out in faith will look like for you this year and beyond; maybe it is to begin a new thing, a new carrier, a new ministry or a new way of life. Maybe you will stand down from things that are preventing and distracting you from responding to God and His call in your life. It is interesting to see that many of us in our church community, at the beginning of 2018, are going through this way or the other: it is uncomfortable but exciting.
May God's voice reassure you: My beloved child, fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed for I am God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you and I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This is the moment, this the day.
You need to commit yourself to a future with no certainties.
To step out onto a road unknown.
Trusting only in the goodness of God,
in the benevolence of the earth beneath your feet,
in the gifts that have come your way,
and in the calling that you sense is yours.
And if on this pilgrimage
you are no more than a sign pointing towards the Love,
this will be enough.
Step out.
(Ian Adams - Some small Heaven )
You need to commit yourself to a future with no certainties.
To step out onto a road unknown.
Trusting only in the goodness of God,
in the benevolence of the earth beneath your feet,
in the gifts that have come your way,
and in the calling that you sense is yours.
And if on this pilgrimage
you are no more than a sign pointing towards the Love,
this will be enough.
Step out.
(Ian Adams - Some small Heaven )
Revd Adel Shokralla
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