My head is still spinning a bit from Martin and the guys coming over, but life continues. Here’s what I feel most challenged by at the moment…

They talked a lot about availability - making and keeping yourself available to God. That means lots of different things - but mainly it means constantly challenging yourself in situations where if God doesn’t do something you will probably end up looking silly. It means things like walking across the pub to prophesy to someone without yet knowing what you are about to say. As I’m a planner I find this whole concept a bit scary and difficult - but I’m willing to try.

I think the other challenge was just to make more time for actually engaging with people - I’ve been guilty of letting life get a bit cluttered with things that aren’t important, and I need to refocus my attention on the Shankill and what God has us here for. As summer is approaching it means I can make a natural break with some committments, and so have more time available (which I still have to intentionally use properly).

More to come as it continues to sink in

I’m really looking forward to the joint wells tomorrow night - Martin Garner is speaking and I’m hoping he brings his usual mix of challenge, timeliness and brutal honesty. Always a great combination. Come prepared to be challenged!

He and his entourage will be spending some time with us on the Shankill on Monday, and I’m really looking forward to that too - we’re going to take a dander around the area and see if they can see something we have missed along the way. It will be good to get an outside perspective, and hopefully for God to speak into our situation.

See you all tomorrow night.

Ryan