Congratulations to those who abused traffic cones on letting most everyone know it was you who did it...I heard Butlins have barred you from the site for next year.
Mind you, that ain't nothing compared to the carnage they were expecting at the weekend with an 80s weekend - apparently the worst weekend in the year for damage and drunken-ness. Just don't tell your parents, or they might want to stay on next time.
Continuing on the theme of Esther, I would like to share some thoughts on hearing from God - a word not used at all in the book.
So first things first - why is there a book in the Bible that doesn't mention God? If we believe all scripture is God-breathed...isn't that like writing an autobiography, but not telling the reader who you are?
I would like to suggest not - and also that this should act as a reminder to us to remember that God is there, and working, even when we can't see him.
1) The Jews are saved. It doesn't look good, but something happens. Mordecai is confident in Esther 4:12-16 that even if Esther won't do her bit "relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place". Esther 6:1 is the 'literary centre' of the book - Esther, along with several other Old Testament books, is a mirror book. Take a look - it starts and ends with a feast. Move one step in, and there's an execution. And at the middle there's a seemingly insignificant thing: "That night the king could not sleep". Just imagine the fun God was having at that point, knowing what was to come.
2) In our own lives...even when we don't believe it can happen...God works miracles.
Did anyone see God at Spring Harvest? There was a funny-looking chap with a beard wearing dungarees lurking at the back, but I don't think that was God.
However, he really was there. I hope you all noticed - and have since told at least 12 other people (no? Go and do it now!) about the healing that happened.
For those who didn't notice - after prayer for all the girls, God gave one of the youth team a word that someone had a problem with their right hip that he wanted to heal. A girl went forward, received prayer, and was healed. Her name...Esther of course. How many other people named Esther were in that room of 400+ people? Zero of course.
Sometimes God really is as subtle as a slap around the face with a wet fish.
3) He's behind you... At the end of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:20, Jesus says "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This is very cool...Jesus is with us all, he's always there. And even better is what happens just a few verses earlier in Matthew 28:17 "but some doubted".
At the time of their doubt, Jesus reassures the disciples; do you sometimes worry that you don't trust God enough? Or doubt that you really believe? Jesus' presence is with you, even in these times. Just because you might struggle to believe in Him, He certainly believes in you!
Immanuel - God with us - is right there whenever you turn to him.
So what one thing have I taken from Spring Harvest? God is everywhere! His sovereign rule is over every situation I face, every person in authority, EVERYTHING!
I'm still working on living in the reality of that, and denying God is probably something we all do on a daily basis...but one step at a time, let's allow God to be glorified in our lives, hey?
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