Simplicity!

THE SIMPLICITY OF IT ALL

1. What are the keys to continuing freshness in your love relationship with the Lord Jesus?

Spending time with Him in unreligious ways, ordinary ways; recognising His nature of love and grace while I do so. I am coming to love the simplicity of it all.

2. What do you experience of the Holy Spirit’s speaking and leading in your every day life?

I experience His guidance even in the midst of difficult situations – even in times when I am going through a crisis, not of faith, but of faith in church as I have known it in the past. He is always there [here], even when I condemn myself for not following the crowd. He always says, “It’s OK, I love you”. He warns me to stay away from situations that could further damage my soul, and is daily healing me and renewing my faith.

3. Can you describe your everyday communication with God? Has this changed much since you first gave your life to Christ?

God is more part of me than then… even when I doubt this, in the deepest places I know it to be true. I used to think it was by mighty works that my communication could be most effective. Now I know the secret place, and to tell you the truth, I just want to stay there because it’s the only safe place in my world. It’s no longer like I am speaking to someone ‘out-there’, He is now much more a part of me, here and now. It’s a hiding place and it’s not – I have come to recognise that divine things happen in my day when I am able to touch the heart of God in those times of quietness and rest.

4. What is worship to you these days? How does it play a part in your everyday life?

I find worship in those spontaneous moments of joy when I have revelation that this God we love is real and does love us. This happens quite often, and lasts a moment, bringing tears of joy and relief. Tears and worship are often mixed.

5. What is your experience of blessings and disappointments in your relationship with other believers?

I have been through a place where God has not allowed me to fellowship in a triumphal way with other believers, or in structures that promote events and cyclic / yearly happenings

I haven’t ‘been to church’ for four years now, and my first meeting with a group of church goers ended in hurt and further disillusionment when the prophetess yelled at me “Zachias, get down from your tree! Enough now of your looking on!”

None of the other stuff is edifying. Suffice it to say that I cannot do what I am not allowed to do. It is not out of bitterness that I hold myself back, but rather knowing that my relationship with Him is more important and must take precedence to works and so-called ‘great exploits’.

6. What is your present understanding of local church life, leadership and structure?

At present I rely on spontaneous meetings with other believers. I am not in a place where I can criticize other structures or local church as I realise that I have run out of answers personally.

7. What 2 or 3 things have become increasingly important to you over the period since you first trusted in the Lord?

My relationship with Jesus as a friend, who covers over my inadequacies and sin.

My experience of the Holy Spirit’s counsel.

The Father’s complete integrity.

8. What 2 or 3 things have become quite unimportant/ meaningless/ valueless to you since God ‘turned your life around’?

Vindication.

Grieving over my un-ending sin.

Ecclesiastical career path leading to the approval of men and woman.

9. At the present time, what is your main area of desire, concern or aspiration?

That I would know Him more, love Him more, and be part of His plan without Him revealing the details.

by Charles Mercer, South Africa