Serving the King of kings
Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, recently heard a government minister speak eloquently about the Church’s valuable contributions to communities all over our country. When his turn came to speak, Steve politely commented that the Church had been doing this for centuries, way before the ‘Big Society’ was even thought of. He said – this is what the Church has been doing and will continue to do regardless of government directive or policy. Today we will hear Wes Bell speak of how Christians have been working with street children in the Philippines, a work sustained over many years now. As we gather next weekend to pray over our vision for fresh directions at Ascension we too will be asking, what does the Lord of our hearts ask of us? Our scriptures today speak of the ‘true fast’ the Lord wants, and then of Jesus calling us to be like the children he took in his arms and blessed in our seeking of His Kingdom. Much of what we do as Christians here or in Manila may feel childlike, foolish even. But in going this way, we go the way of the King of kings. It is Ascension Sunday, when we are reminded that we don’t serve just a good idea, but the Risen Lord who has overcome even death itself and before whom one day every knee shall bow.