Recently I was talking to an older man who had been a young boy during the Second World War. He was telling me some of his memories. He was brought up in Kent, and the place where they lived was directly under the flight path used by the German bombers that were on their way to London to bomb the city. It was the time of the Blitz.
This gentleman recalled how the family would take cover under the kitchen table as the enemy aircraft flew overhead. Occasionally an aircraft would drop its bombs too early, so they would hide in the safest place they knew – under the kitchen table. If there was an explosion nearby that caused the house to collapse, the hope was that the table would provide some protection from falling timber and masonry. Of course they built kitchen tables a little better in those days, but it was still only a hope of survival.
Listening to him talk, I started to wonder how people would react these days to that kind of situation. These days we are less inclined to accept personal hardship and suffering over issues of principle. I wonder if we found ourselves in that position now, whether there would be a popular move to make peace with the German enemy, accept Hitler’s demands and hope that life and personal circumstances would improve again. After all, anything is better than spending sleepless nights huddled under a table in the dark, not knowing if you would see the morning light. Right?
Well actually, No. Wrong. It would be worse in the long run to put personal comfort above principles of right and wrong, good and evil.
So where am I going with this? I suspect that comfort has become too high a priority in western society, and that ethos has invaded the church as well. In our world, a high value is put on comfort. Big sofas, big TV’s, relaxing, chilling out and ‘me time’ are all very popular.
The problem starts for us when the liking for comfort results in an avoidance of discomfort, and if we grow too used to the notion of avoiding discomfort,then the enemy will be oh so quick to use that to neutralise us and make us ineffective.
I watched some video footage of the underground church in China recently. In one clip there was a large room packed with worshippers, tears steaming down their faces as they worshiped Jesus for hours when the outside temperature was over 35 degrees. No air conditioning. In another clip there was a room packed with people, standing because there was no room to sit, listening to the Bible being taught. They were there from 8 am till 6 pm – for four days.
In the early 1800’s in the midlands and the north of England there was a great revival among the Primitive Methodists, who were well on fire with the power of God. All over the North this revival spread, including our own North East. Worship was powerful, their worship songs were sung to popular tunes. Men and women ministered and preached and so did children. There were well known boy and girl preachers. Many many people were saved and many churches were planted. The interesting thing is how many people threw themselves into this work without thought to personal comforts. They travelled all over preaching, teaching, discipling new believers and planting churches.
When we became believers, we agreed to follow Jesus – and that means wherever He wants to lead us. When He was at work in Israel 2000 years ago He did not consider his own comfort, but once famously said, “I must be about My Father’s business” He did everything that He did, including going to the cross, “for the joy set before Him”. The joy of seeing His kingdom established. The Chinese believers that I watched put up with discomfort for the joy set before them. The Primitive Methodist pioneers put up with discomfort for the joy set before them – seeing the Kingdom grow.
If we want to share in the same joy, there may be times when personal likes and dislikes need to be last on the list.
When I die, I will leave an inheritance. Already one daughter has let me know she would like my wedding ring. The other one will get the motorbike if I still am riding at the age of 95! But I want to leave something better behind when I go. I want to leave hundreds of people who know and love Jesus. I want to leave a whole extension to the Kingdom, built because I followed Jesus and worked alongside Him even when it was difficult, tiring, or just plain uncomfortable.
IMPORTANT! SAVE THE DATE. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 11th. WORSHIP NIGHT
I, and some Christians in this area, are working together to put on a night of Worship at the Function Room at Hexham Mart. The event is called Worship the King. It starts at 7.30 pm and the doors will open at 7.00 pm. It will finish at 8.45 pm. This for all believers whether you are from a church, a fellowship, a small groups or even slightly disconnected at the moment , and is an opportunity to gather in larger numbers to worship Jesus our King. We’d love to see you there. God Bless.
Church is out there 