The Internlog
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Internlog Entry
Not by might, Nor by Power
A swift look at the week so far shows that Kings Church is as active as ever: This weeks Theology101 was on ‘The Meal that Jesus Instituted’ – The Lords Supper. Amazingly, we heard how the 1st centaury church ate a full meal in between taking the bread and the wine… now there’s a part of early Christianity that I am certainly up for modelling. There was a Prophetic Workshop on Monday in the wonderful Appleby Rooms, which was really well attended and many students and residents were hearing from God – so listen up! On Wednesday evening, I led the GCSE and A-Level students who go to the youth group ‘Deeper’ through an exam-stress reliving mediation on Jesus calming the storm. Two of them fell asleep, so I’m guessing they felt relaxed as a result! On Thursday the Alpha course continues, so we look forward to hearing how the group develops as they investigate Christianity together over a wonderful vegetable lasagne. So overall, it has been a varied week of Intern fun, with an apparent theme of food.
May I share with you a reflection on my work here as the Youth Intern, particularly on attitudes to ‘convincing people of the Gospel’. As the Youth Intern, I have the privilege of spending most of my weeks planning for or running groups for the young people in the church family and in schools. Such is my desire to see these children and teenagers jump up and declare their acceptance of the gospel, I often find myself trying to take on more of a convincing-them role than a ministering one. I have realised recently that my underlying approach to the youth work I do is more one of "I shall convert them!" rather than seeing it as a work that God does in people. Zechariah apparently got the hang of this before I did- "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit", says the Lord: Zechariah 4:6.
In light of this mini-revelation of mine, I have sought to spend more time praying for the youth who I serve, rather than spending more time examining my technique of leading the Bible study or whatever the really FUN activities are that I am involved in running. When I look back on my own journey to faith, I can see too how it was the still small voice of God’s spirit who led me to worship Him, rather than some really ace youth leader (although I did have on!) who used her mighty-youth-converting ability to convince me that Jesus was the way to go.
God loves our children and young people so much, and His desire to see them sold-out for Him is actually greater than mine! This is often a good thing to remember when we are praying for friends or family members who do not know Jesus yet. So here’s to trusting God with their journey to Him, and praying He will use our small efforts and our prayers as part of His way to reach them... "Not by might, nor by power, but by His spirit."