Bring out the big guns!
Shimmer Conference “Firepower” 2008 is over for another year and what an amazing time it was! Each of our guest speakers offered Biblical insights, shared their life stories and used their gifts to challenge, encourage and refresh us in our faith. We were deeply affected by the courage of Jenny Dawson who has ventured to the war torn Republic of Congo to teach the police how trauma affects the brain and how they can start to break the cycle of distrust and violence in their land. We laughed and cried with Dumisani as she shared with humour and honesty her journey to Australia, the trials that faced her along the way and how God was her strength during these hard times. And finally, Aliki, whose Aussie yarns were brought to life in song, and were an inspiring and entertaining way to conclude our Conference. It was impossible not to notice the spiritual ‘firepower’ each of these women so clearly draw upon in their different ministries.
As I left the conference, I felt tremendously uplifted by the lives of these three, very different women and a little in awe of what they are doing for God. What courage Jenny has, I thought, to go to such a dangerous place and meet with those intimidating, troubled policemen! What faith Dumi shows as she trusts God to guide her and protect her in all the ups and downs of life! And what spiritual insight Aliki shows in her message and songs! In contrast my own life seemed a little insignificant and my service to God seemed small.
But, I know that our God is good. He loves us as we are, with all our insecurities and failures. We cannot earn our salvation or make Him love us more. We have been saved by Jesus’ sacrifice and are blameless in His sight. And our desire to be more like Jesus each day, as we draw upon his Holy Spirit, pleases Him. We don’t have to go to the Congo or have great achievements or sing beautifully to please God. He simply desires our hearts and that we live out our faith in Him, even in the seemingly mundane details of our lives. Chatting with a new person at church. Making a meal for a new mum. Forgiving those that hurt us. Stepping out of our comfort zones and doing something for God even when we feel unsure or ill equipped. Caring for a stranger. Praying faithfully.
I’m sure Jenny, Dumi & Aliki would not call themselves amazing. They are just ordinary people who are impacting the kingdom because they are prepared to trust the promises of God and rely upon His ‘firepower’. Let’s be women who do the same.
