Northfield Methodist Church

Dear Friends

Today the theme for the morning is "Living with Purpose" and the theme this evening at 6:30pm is "Living as a Servant". Both themes exploring the kind of life God has in mind for us to live.

There is that wonderful moment in the life of Esther, talking to her uncle Mordechai, about what Haman was getting up to. She was King Ahasuerus' Queen. Mordechai speaks these words to her," For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

These words change her life, "for such a time as this." She recognizes that her life has a significant purpose in God's plan. It would be wonderful if each one of us could have such clarity of purpose for our lives.

Jesus, in John 17:4 says, " I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do”.

There are many "big name" stories of people in the Scriptures where there is this call, the mission, the quest, clear stories of purpose and plan. On the one hand, it makes one feel as if there can't be a role for me to play in God's plan - look at me, I am so ordinary.

Here is the danger. We live in a world where our significance comes from what we do and not who we are. Yet, when I read the Scripture, I see it the other way round. So I believe, that the most significant "purpose" we have in this world, is to get who we are right and along that journey comes the amazing things we do. Who we are, is all about the journey towards a life fully surrendered to Christ.

May 2012 be the year we progress significantly along the road of that journey.

Blessings

Brian and the Ministry Team