There is a quote from ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens that sums up life Wandsworthwards today. It simply says, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
There is so much about these times which is good. So many things I could write about:
Work this week was brilliant – prayerwalking in Walthamstow, exciting meetings planning prayer ideas for 2008, a lot of things seeming to take off and start to really happen.
Yesterday I spent an inspiring day in Birmingham with a group of prayer leaders from around the UK. Then I zoomed back to Bromley for ‘Encounter’. I’ll probably post seperatly about yesterday.
This morning we led church at Balham Sally Army. We used the Psalms to help us. It went really well and we enjoyed the challenge!
Next Sunday is the Boiler Room’s 3rd birthday, so this week involves lots of last minute planning and organising, as we prepare to thank God for three years trying to work out what it means to be a place of prayer, community, mission, social justice, creativity and pilgrimage in Wandsworth. It will be a time to look back, to celebrate the journey so far, and to ‘vision-cast’ for the future.
I know that it is often in the times when some things seem to be steaming ahead and really growing, that other things seem to stutter, fall apart or erupt. There has been a fair bit of that this weekend!
People suddenly becoming ill. Situations of trouble and conflict. Losses that you feel right in the pit of your stomach.
I am comforted by the words of Psalm 84:5-8
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Selah. “
I have set my heart on this pilgrimage. Through summer or storm, and in the moments when the icey winds seem to cut me to the bone, still I will stand. When my heart thrills at new birth I will remain, I will be steadfast when foundations crumble around me. My God has proved himself before, and in the valleys of weeping I will find him again.
In these days of utter joy and breathtaking sorrow I will trust in his provision.
I stand with my Father, and he goes before and behind me. I am secure.
