What is the Greatest Need?

Here we are in Herrnhut (a tiny village which could be called the birthplace of the modern missions movement), worshiping, praying, chatting and sharing stories with the locals and the permanent guests. We’ve seen so many different places and met so many people that to isolate one bit of learning and experience to one place isn’t possible. We’ve seen how simply being friends is more important than anything and that a place of community and shared life can only work if it then shares life with the community.

So, back in Herrnhut and on the continual journey of seeking God’s path and direction Steve and I go for a walk up the hill. We found a bench just outside God’s acre (the grave yard) and watched the end of the sunset while talking about what direction our lives are going and where God is calling us to work. We pondered some thoughts and quoted from Shane Claiborne’s ‘The Irresistible Revolution’, and remembered that he didn’t look around for where he might be most effective but saw a need and went to sort it out.

To use someone else’s words is often quite useful, so as I have the opportunity to use words re-used by someone else and then to re quote, it’s quite satisfying.
In the film ‘Coach Carter’ this is said: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness which frightens us. Your playing small doesn't serve the world there is nothing enlightening about shrinking so other people don’t feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do it's not just in some of us it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.’’

So if this in mind we turned our thoughts to Corringham and Stanford and Steve asked ‘when you think of the needs of that area, what is the first that comes to your head?’ maybe it’s the kids hanging around town smoking and drinking, maybe it’s the old lady next door who needs some shopping, maybe it’s the drug dealer down the street, maybe it’s the man up the road needing help with his building project.

When you look at your town/neighbourhood what is the first need that comes into your head? Then ask yourself, what am I going to do about it?

No, you’re not gonna get an answer from me here. Tho I did give an answer and yes I’ve added it to the continual ponderings and influences in the melting pot of muddledness in my strange mind.