Just Deserts

Congratulations to Diversity who won Britain's Got Talent on Saturday. Did you watch the final? Nearly 20 million people did and I think that on the night, the right act won. This street dance genre is growing in popularity and influence and they remind me of our own Youth Street Dance Team. Maybe they should apply for next year's show? Come on ENERGY, let's see a new group come through now!

I really enjoyed yesterday's Guest Service. It was great to see so many people in the Church and there was a real buzz about the whole thing: Paul's kids' slot was simple but profound, the Band led us really well, Tim preached an excellent message (you'd never know he's not preached on a Sunday for nearly a year now) and I thought the testimonies from ENERGY were superb.

What stood out for me was the theme coming through some of the young people. As they shared about their experiences from the Croyde Weekend a few of them had described being in a dry place with God and struggling in their walks with Him. As they talked about this, I really felt the Holy Spirit encourage me to give time to this and let Him move in their lives. We must not overlook these seasons. Those people who did respond (and there were quite a few) were very brave - it takes a lot of courage to be humble and let people see you are struggling a bit and want prayer.

Interestingly, this tied in with something I have been reading in Leviticus. Let's remember where the Israelites were when Moses received these divine instructions relating to worship: they were in the desert. They had not entered the promised land. God had not even directed them towards it. Leviticus 9:23-24 says, "Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out.they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portion on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell face down."

What this says to me is that even in the desert place, you can encounter God in worship. Moreover, you can experience an inexplicable joy despite being in this dry, barren place. I have been to Israel and driven through the Judean Desert. It is an unforgiving, scorching wilderness with precious little shade under a searing , relentless sun. Sometimes life can be like this; we are dry and thirsty for God. There are problems and difficulties. We have lost that flow of Holy Spirit life into our own lives. Yet, God will meet us there if we worship Him. God will draw near and release into our souls an explosive joy (v.24). We will have a holy encounter with our Holy God and although we will still be in the desert once it is over, we can move forward knowing God is actually in it with us (Hebrews 4:14-15).

What an awesome truth for us to live in as the start of a brand new week.