God is Big Enough to Ask
I spent this morning meeting with some of the most godly men I have been around in a long time. They are all leaders of different ministries in British Columbia whom God has burdened in some way or another with the plight of unreached people in our cities.
One of the guys told us about a pastor in the Middle East who caught a vision for his city and began praying about ways he might reach people there with the Gospel. He has spent the last number of years leading a church that built its “worship centre” into the walls of a cave. It seats nearly 12,000 people in an area that is almost entirely Muslim.
When my friend met this pastor, the pastor grabbed his hand firmly, looked straight into his eyes, and with deep conviction said, “Brother – Agree with me as we ask God for the transformation of my city!” My friend really had no choice, nor did he want one. “Of course I agree with you,” he said.
For some reason, the picture of a Middle Eastern pastor introducing himself to another minister with his soul-stirring vision for his city has convicted me today. Here is this guy living in one of the most populous cities of the world where many are openly hostile to the claims of Christianity.
Doesn’t he know that the prospects for seeing people come to faith in Christ are not really that good, especially in that kind of context? Doesn’t he know about all the obstacles that stand in the way of his ministry? I’m sure he is aware of these and other challenges, but none of that has stopped him from asking God for the unimaginable. None of that has destroyed his dream.
I guess I am writing about this simply because I need to confess. I don’t really believe God is as big as my Middle Eastern brother does. Or maybe I just don’t believe God is as willing to transform a city with the Gospel as he does. Like him, I help to lead a church in a city faced with dozens of challenges – drug dealing, gang wars, rampant sexual promiscuity, failing marriages, and on and on it goes. I am understanding the problems more and more to the point where I feel nearly paralyzed? How will we ever make a difference here for the Gospel? The challenges are just so big.
But, our God is bigger. He is more willing than we are to see our society transformed. But, I think, we do not have simply because we do not ask. So, let me grab your virtual hand, look squarely in your virtual eyes, and plead with you – Agree with me as we ask God for the transformation of our city.
#1 from Nancy Williams on September 22, 2009
Jeff, I have no doubt that God will do what we ask, because we ask in faith. As you say, He wants it more than we do. I have a son that is on and off the street; I want it more than the average bear.
I happened to hear John Maxwell challenge a congregation this weekend to pray for 6 months for something they have an interest in and if they don’t have an interest in anything just pray for something. Perhaps we could challenge our people in the same way. Pray for Northview and Abbotsford for 6 months every day and lets see what happens.
I’m praying every day for our leaders, churches and city. Hopefully you will get many agreeing with you but if not we have faith enough!
Have a good day in Jesus!