Life changers, World changers.

The Man in the mirror

Michael Jackson got it right. In the song : "man in the mirror" he sings 

I'm looking at the man in the mirror

I'm telling him to change his ways

No message   could be any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place

You gotta look at your self and make the change"

…Change the world, begin with yourself. 

World Changers

Each one of us has a purpose in life; a holy calling. 

It has been dawning on me in recent weeks that God has put us in this world at this time and in this place for a special purpose. There is a reason why we exist, why here and why now. This is a very important thing to realise, because it validates who I am and who you are. Our place and time on this earth is no mere accident, no matter what anyone says. 

Throughout time there have been people whose actions have had a major influence on the course of history: Some to a large extent and others to a small extent, but history makers none the less. These people I call World changers.

Heroes

In a previous blog, I spoke of the Biblical heroes of the faith who died not ever having seen the fulfilment of the promise of God. Did that make them failures? Certainly not! The fact that they obeyed God in the face of defeat, without seeing the fulfilment of their purpose made them heroes. These people were life changers whose actions changed the World. God had radically influenced their lives to bring them to a complete change of direction. Through their obedience and faith, God was able to change the course of history to set it in the right direction to achieve His ultimate purpose. 

I wonder sometimes what my purpose in life is, and how I could ever make a difference I this world; how I could change the course of history. You know, I may never know. 

Your calling and mine are no different. Who knows just what God has planned for the people that we touch. 

Worship Leader, Life Changer

I love that as a worship leader, I have a privileged opportunity to bring people into the very throne room of God. Only God knows what he will do with that person in that place.  And if that one has an audience with the most high and has a revolutionary revelation, which  changes their life and in turn the course of history, we share in that. I can't stress enough how important you are in the scheme of things.

We have an amazing opportunity to be used of God to be life changers.  

Every piece in a puzzle is needed to complete a picture. I don't know if you have ever completed a puzzle, perhaps one with a piece of blue sky in it. There are many pieces which all look the same. You might say their position in the overall puzzle is not important; they don't display any particular colours or shapes which set them apart and give an obvious clue as to their position in the picture. However, when the puzzle is done and all the pieces are in place, if a piece of that sky is missing, the puzzle would not look right, the missing piece would leave a very obvious hole, and the picture would not be complete as the designer intended it to be. Not only that, but no other piece will fit in its place.  Do you see? 

As a worship leader, your part in the church is vital; you are called to be a life changer. When you lead your congregation in anointed worship, you are bringing them into a life-changing place where miracles happen and where God meets his people face to face. 

As a Christian you are called to be a life changer. Find where you fit. There is a special place for you, and the Designer is looking for you to fill that gap and be that part of the puzzle designed uniquely for you! 

Have an amazing week. 

Erick. 

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HEROES OF THE FAITH

I was driving to work the other day and got to thinking on the subject of Heroes of the Faith.

Most of us are familiar with that passage in the book of Hebrews about the heroes of the faith as talked about in the Old Testament. People like Abraham, Isaac, Moses, in fact there is a brief synopsis of a number of famous Bible Heroes who did extraordinary things, by faith. 

Ordinary people 

The interesting point made about these people is that they "died, not having seen the fulfilment of the promise". (Heb 11:13) Ordinary people, being extraordinarily obedient to God without actually seeing the out working of their obedience, but trusting Him none the less.

I sometimes think we have a tendency to put far too much holiness on these great faith  people, (that these people were a cut above ordinary folk with a special handle on God) when they had very real struggles in every day life, just like me.

That led me to thinking about people in my life. People that I have had the honour to meet and rub shoulders with over the years who have been great witnesses of Gods power and love. Ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

Heroes of the faith 

My friend Brenda

 Brenda is a sweet old friend of 80+ who never  goes a day without a smile on her face and a kind word. Brenda had to give up her home because she could no longer get up the steps due to the pain in her back, hips and legs. She used to say to me:" …Oh I'm alright, God is so good, and I'm really very fortunate because there are so many people worse off than me. "

Brenda came to me once and said:" I really admire you and your family. You have such love for Jesus, it encourages me so much!"

I was really taken aback. This beautiful woman who at her age and in her pain still has an amazing relationship with Jesus. I said to her:" You know Brenda, you are my role model and hero. If I can get to your age and still love Jesus the way you do, I will have done well."

Interesting isn't it? We come across  so many people who on the outside are very ordinary, normal people but inside are solid strong God fearing, Jesus loving folk who I look up  to as living heroes.

Ken Bytheway

We can all aspire to be like Ken, who recently went to be with Jesus. Married for years, and faithfully attending church so as not to upset his wife, Ken was himself not a believer. When his wife passed away, Ken (by now already retired ) began to really delve into this faith his wife had. He was prompted to give his life to Christ and became so aware of Gods love in his life that he gave himself over to study of the word, and then became a scripture teacher at the local school. He personally influenced at least 2 of my kids in their journey with Jesus. I loved Ken, he loved Jesus, and was a true worshipper; he was my hero.

Heroes defined

I read this statement the other day in a devotional:
"Heroes of faith do not seek their own glory. They recognise that their life is an instrument for use by the living God."

We're a funny bunch, you know. We look to people who perform well in Sports, and declare them heroes. While they may have conquered the sporting field, they have actually never performed a heroic deed. 

You see, it's not the outward greatness that makes you a hero, it's what happens on the inside, and in the places where no-one is watching you. The glitz and the glamour are for the rich and famous, but the real heroes are those who daily lay their lives on the lines for our safety, security, well being, etc. the unsung heroes like our soldiers who fight wars on behalf of innocent defenceless civilians, or people like fire fighters and rescue specialists who, every time they attend an emergency to save lives, put their own lives at risk. These are the people who regularly save lives at the peril of their own.

And then there are those who go into battle for us on their knees. These are the unsung heroes of the faith, many of whom we'll never know about until we get to heaven. People like my mother, who prays for her children, grand children, and great grand children every day. People like the intercessors at church who fervently go into battle for those who can't themselves, praying for the sick, the needy, Governments, law keepers, the list goes on. In some way I can't help but think that these are the people who keep the World turning.

Bob Carlisle used to sing a song, the words of which go something like:

 "I can stand tall
On my knees, I can see forever, on my knees, I can face it all,
I feel like I can climb a mountain cause on my knees the worlds a
little smaller and I stand taller on my knees."

David Meece sang about the "Unknown soldier;

His words are few, he saves them 'til he's home and on his knees,
That's where he's a warrior; and he fights to see them free.

He's the unknown soldier, the unsung hero, the brother on the street,
He's the unknown soldier, the holy warrior who will never sound retreat,
He's your unseen comrade, and his triumph will be sweet,
He's the unknown soldier...

Both writers capture something of the heroism that goes on when no one's watching.

You too can be a hero of the faith. You can be a part of God's rescue team saving lives from the devastation of eternal separation from His Love. Go on, be a hero!

Now there a challenge.

 Have a great week.

Erick.