I’m in my old bedroom at my mother’s tonight as I write, and this room is filled with all sorts of memories, but my mind is on none of those things tonight except when the Holy Spirit came and gave me such a deep assurance of his presence and my salvation in a way that only God could. It’s what I meditate upon when I sleep in this room now.
My other thought is the faces of the fellowship I was gathered with this last Sunday morning and that I’m privileged to serve. 50 or so believers of all ages and a few exploring faith, the gospel, and the presence of God among us. I understand in fresh ways how Paul could write with such longing to be with his people when away or detained.
I’ll tell you what I’m feeling in this moment. Deep joy, celebration, and love for all these people under my care. I also feel exhausted because I’ve preached from the heart – the only way I know. And I’ve preached with a sense of the weightiness of God’s word and its implications for us. And I’m excited at what God has done and is doing.
In myself, I feel both the weight of responsibility and the excitement and privilege of it. They are regular people, but they are also extraordinary. In over 20 years in ministry, I haven’t met the equal of their full-hearted devotion to God and the gospel, and to prayer.
It is a beautiful thing and the glory goes to God alone.
Andrew S M Clark 