World Changers, Trailblazers, and Culture Shapers: Building Kingdom Despite Feelings of Loneliness
What a unique and exciting calling the Lord has placed us in! There is beauty and adventure in creating, innovating, and building Kingdom. These all are pictures of the Lord’s heart ever since the beginning, starting with creation. Our God is a creator and has placed within us the desire to make all things new.
When we look at our world we see many areas of life that are hurt and broken, areas that need to be made new. We see injustice, racial prejudices, abuse, enslavement, manipulation, power and money hungry leaders; a world marred by death and the effects of sin; all fitting within the plans of our enemy. So, what are we, as the church, to do about it?
I was reminded the other day what our role is. The Great Commission; we are to bring the Gospel to every nation. “Ok, great Josh, we already know that! It’s in the Bible.” The Great Commission is something that is talked about in church all the time. We know it, but do we understand it? Are we living it? I ask myself these same questions.
What does it look like to live the Gospel? First off, we need to understand what the Gospel is. Simply put, the Gospel is the redeeming of man to God. Making us new. Jesus was a world changer, He was a trailblazer, shaping the culture of this world by making all things new, creating life out of what is dead. This world needed and still needs to be made new. As long as our enemy has power, there will be death, thus creating the need for life.
Being called a “World Changer” sounds pretty awesome. And in all reality it is an amazing adventure to get to be apart of. But it also comes with many costs. One of which might bear a season of loneliness. When we walk according to the Spirit, when we follow His leading, we may find ourselves walking alone or with very little support.
There have been several times in my life when I have felt alone when I battled with anxiety and depression; while I was working with the church plant in NC, on the World Race, and even here at Bella Goose. I have often felt alone even though I was surrounded by the body of Christ. How can this be? I may not fully understand this but I do know this: My feelings do not dictate reality! Praise the Lord!!
When reading throughout God’s Word I often find other’s who experienced fear, insecurity and loneliness.
-Moses was asked to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he was met with disregard amongst his own people and constantly battled with disunity.
-Joshua was asked to lead these same people into the promised land after the passing of Moses. These once known slaves, under the new leadership of Joshua were called to become warriors. What a huge undertaking that would be.
-Jeremiah, a young, insecure, and timid boy who never experienced the joy and intimacy of marriage was called by God to be His voice of judgment to the Israelites. His entire life was spent on proclaiming this message.
Even though we may feel alone, one thing that we can count on when we move in the Lord’s leading is that He will be with us.
-Moses, when battling with his own insecurities and fears was reminded by God speaking to him saying, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:11-12)
-Joshua was told to “be strong and courageous” several times and was constantly reminded that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
-Jeremiah was told not to be afraid of what the people would say or think or do because the Lord would be with him. (Jeremiah 1:9, 19)
Why do you think these courageous men of God needed to be reminded of this? Most likely, it was because of the strong temptation to feel alone, and then in response, back away from the pursuance of where the Lord was leading them. When the Lord calls you somewhere, don’t back away because of fear, insecurity, or feelings of loneliness.
The joy and peace I have felt in the presence of the Lord has surpassed any of those feelings of loneliness. Jesus himself in the garden experienced those same feelings. Being beaten, abused with no support from his disciples and then hanging on that cross. He is a loving and caring Father who sees, hears and understands all of the pains we might endure in this life.
The Lord doesn’t call us into things because they are easy, He does it because He has a plan; a plan centered around redemption!
In each of these cases God wanted to redeem His people. He wanted to show them a better way of living with Him. Sometimes that means we need to call ourselves or others to move (Moses), conquer (Joshua), or repent (Jeremiah) but all are within the context of being redeemed to the Father and based on the love He has for His people.
As representatives of God and bearers of His Holy Spirit, let us bring this message of redemption to our own Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria (Acts 1:8). The “sphere’s of influence” that the Lord has given each one of us. Whether that be in the coffee shop with each customer that walks through the door, to building community in Cincinnati, to establishing church plants all over the world by the use of coffee. All with the purpose of redemption knowing and believing that the same Lord who has called us will establish and be with us. That is the Gospel message and that is building true Kingdom!
I am so proud of each one of my fellow Bella Goose family members for I see this at work in your lives and I walk in confidence knowing that the Lord is doing something truly amazing here among us. What an undeserved blessing this journey has been with y’all. I walk with anticipation and excitement for what lies around the corner.
Josh Hendricks
Bella Goose Coffee
Roastmaster
