Banished

I was at carolling practice today and because I sang my solo quite softly, I was "banished" to one corner of the room and told to sing from there. It was really funny, but it got my voice to get louder. So that helped. Two months of practice has finally ended. Tomorrow's the big day. Just something I wanted to share about carolling in ATC. I think there are some of you whom I've mentioned to before that I believe a CF should impact its "community", in this case, the college. When I mean "impact", I look at the ultimate goal of salvations, of evangelism. I don't neglect also the aspect of teaching and fellowship and building up the faith of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. What I see in this CF is a lack of impact. It flows from our attitude, our belief, our perspective. Whenever these things don't fall in line with a goal or theme of the CF, it goes haywire. Whatever it was that the CF lacked (which I won't delve much into), I prayed and asked God to just enable me to see what He wanted me to see and serve as He would want me to serve. Today was my first opportunity to see and act things God's way, I believe. I was asked to say the opening prayer before we started practice. But before I said the prayer, I just asked those who were in the practice, to just think about why they're doing this whole thing. What was our goal? Our mission? Was it salvation? A good time? I challenged the CFers (as best I could in that 2-3 minutes) to look at why we were doing this. Ultimately, we want to bless this college. We want to see people know and understand that God is moving and working in the college, and that we, as CFers are the "light and salt" of the college. We need to do more than just sing. We need to convey a message. A powerful message. I thank God for the opportunity to sing "Because He Lives" tomorrow and on Sunday. Of all the Christmas songs that we are going to sing, the gospel message is most evident in that song: God sent His Son They call Him Jesus He came to love, heal and forgive He lived and died To buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives Chorus: And because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know, I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives My other solo part are two lines in "Christmas Isn't Christmas": "So give your heart to Jesus You'll discover when you do..." You get my drift? Its both the gospel message and the proper response all put into my solo pieces. I'm only beginning to realise this. The burden, so to speak, is upon me now to convey the message as best I can in singing the two songs. That's the message the people need to hear. That's the message that should get across. I mentioned this (in a bit different detail) to the CFers before I began the opening prayer. Here, I pray that God will just do His mighty thing tomorrow. I believe He will. That takes faith, but without it, who am I? The CF needs to grasp this. In my honest opinion, I sense that ATC lacks God so desperately. Picking from the book of Esther, the CF is there "for such a time as this". Please pray for us and alongside us. There are many things that I feel God wants me to do in the CF (together with those who share the vision) and I need his guidance. I'm in no way saying that I'm the "saviour" of CF, that's not mine and God's intention. But rather, whatever God has put in me, I have an obligation to do as He wants me to. I've been enlisted into the up and coming committee (probably only starting mid-next year) but already will be attending my first CF committee meeting on the 20th of December. Here's my opportunity to get involved and do great things for God. I was a bit hesitant at the start, as some of you would know. I used to ask God to "hold me down" from doing anything until I get a good picture of the CF and what He wants me to do. The picture is beginning to show, and I think God has placed me (in no arrogant manner of speech) "for such a time as this". I ask for your prayers and for God's wisdom and discernment in order to serve Him well. Thank you. As much as I've shared with all of you, the present matter at hand is carolling. For that, keep us in prayer. We will address other issues as they come, in God's timing. Jesus loves you!