Back in September, 7 people who didn’t know each other were brought together for one cause. They had each received a vision from the Lord that when introduced, fit like pieces of a puzzle. They were a part of a new phenomenon; something birthed of another man’s dream. They were given a sentence from which they would write a book. No one knew the plot or how it would conclude, but they all knew the story. It had been etched on their hearts at the dawn of creation by the hands of mercy.
The 7 set out with fire in their hearts and the flag of freedom at half-mast. They were sure their determination alone could keep them in flight, but they learned quickly it would take more. They were still awkward with their newly found wings and uncertain how they worked. They ran quickly for take-off only to stop short and question if they could really fly. Did they have what it takes? Could they really fly? What would other’s think of them if they failed? Or worse, if they
succeeded?
So they started running in what looked like a three-legged race. One would run ahead and yell for the others to catch up. Another would get frustrated and yell at the others to slow down. Another would start jogging one day and sit down the next. And another would attempt strategy, but never be heard. Each still had the vision and the passion, they just didn’t know how to make them work within the whole group. And wouldn’t you know, that’s just what the Creator wanted, relationship. He didn’t mind that this vision was taking so long to take shape. No, He cared more about the 7 learning to love and relate and live as one.
So they did. They came together one month, and they split up the next. They tried combinations of different persons and talents; then tried again. They wrote out, pre-planned, procrastinated, worshiped, prayed, encouraged, brought down, fought, loved, hurt and restored. They gained one then lost one. Gained one more then lost one more. And in all this, in all the inconsistencies, the worldly failures and successes,
they truly lived. They learned that the love the Creator had given them was worth more than anything they brought to the table on their own. They learned that this phenomenon was about one another – the body, working as one.
We’re standing at the crossroads here in Swaziland. We’ve looked behind us at a path marked with human failures and successes, yet in the full knowledge that the Lord weighs those scales differently. Instead, he sees his children overcoming fears and learning to trust. He sees beauty rising up from the ashes and a new day breaking forth from a long, dark night. He sees his babies, running forth into freedom, making a joyful noise!
