Changes
“Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different.” — C. S. Lewis
“…they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” Acts 17:6
There’s something profound about that last verse. Paul, Silas, Jason and the brothers had made such an impact and brought such changes across the known world at the time that the slur the Jews launched against them was “These men who have turned the world upside down”. They meant it as a criticism, but what a badge of honour — to be known for such radical kingdom impact that people know, “if he/she was to come to our place, they will turn the place upside down here too.” Wow. That’s my prayer for God to use me like that, and it’s my prayer for you too. It wasn’t that Paul or Silas (or Jason and “the brothers”) were extraordinary. They were simply ordinary people in the hands of an extraordinary God, filled with the Holy Spirit in an extraordinary way, and whose lives had an extraordinary level of surrender and willingness to go. We can have that too.
The first quote, however, shows how this normally happens. It doesn’t often happen that someone sets out to turn the world upside down. Sometimes people (maybe even some of us) set out with grand ambitions to do that … but God usually has to then humble us and remind us that we are nothing much without His power at work. But … when we surrender to Him, and make ourselves available — whether in the workplace, the school, the church, or the global mission field — what happens is a gradual set of changes. We start to see things differently. The days’ routines start to look a little more people-focused, driven by love and motivated by speaking life into people. The gospel starts to shape us in new, deep ways. Opportunities and ‘coincidences’ come our way. And before you know it … “you look back and everything is different”, as C. S. Lewis remarked.
Maybe you’ve been inspired by the stories I’ve shared of God at work in Pakistan. I hope you have. However, I want to encourage you that what I did was nothing extraordinary. I have simply recorded glimpses of what God was doing in people’s lives, and then I joined in with what He was already doing wherever I could. In some ways it was profoundly simple — opening my room for meeting with people, catching up with people to share about my faith, having meals together, praying with people who were needing it, passing on whatever I’ve learnt, encouraging others to do what I’ve been doing, trying my best to ask good questions, learning along the way. But I want to encourage you that each of you could write a ‘dispatch’ from your world too. The title could just have easily been “Corowa Dispatched” … “Canberra Dispatched” … “Balldale Dispatched” … “Wagga Dispatched”. And it would be full of just as many incredible stories, because God is equally at work here. (In fact, one of the things that has gotten me most excited about being back has been the research, statistics and stories of how more and more Australians are opening up to faith and open to coming to church — particularly young people — God is at work here!).
This is the last dispatch for a while, until I go back to South Asia. As I mentioned last week, thankyou for everyone who has prayed, supported, encouraged, and shared in the ministry that I did. You have inspired me so much and I am grateful for people who are willing to share the road together. My prayer is that you would carry the same posture into your world. You are dispatched. You are the field worker that God sent into your world — your workplace, school, family, etc. Your church is full of field workers. When Jesus said, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, it’s not only because there are few people in the ‘worker’ category. It’s because there are few people who are already in the field and willing to see themselves as sent. My prayer is that you would be an exception to this, and I’m excited to hear the dispatches from your own worlds of how God is at work, bringing changes and transformation and renewal, right where you are.
An interesting geopolitical update. Just this morning, I have been reading the news that India has launched six to nine missiles into Pakistan, in the largest peace-time attack in this conflict ever. The airspace over much of both Pakistan and northern India is currently closed, and Punjab (including Lahore, where I was living) currently has stay-at-home orders. I praise God that I left when I did, as many international flights from Pakistan have been cancelled — it feels very providential and miraculous that God enabled me to leave when I did. There is a video below showing the size of the missile explosions — this is a major escalation. India sees this as a response to the terrorist attack in Kashmir, which it claims was supported by Pakistan, and where around 26 tourists were killed. Unfortunately, both India and Pakistan have been the victims of terrorist attacks recently (a train attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan region saw dozens killed and injured by extremists). The sad reality in all of this is that this is a lose-lose conflict — in any war between India and Pakistan, it is normal people who will suffer most. My host family are very afraid of what will happen, not just because of the risk of immediate conflict, but because the economic situation in Pakistan is already very difficult. I have seen the ground reality in both countries now, and I know that people on both sides are real people, with real stories. In fact, most Pakistanis I talked to had a very positive view of India and hoped the long-term conflict would end one day so that they could visit India and see the sights. Please pray for the peace of this region: for the peace of Pakistan, India and the whole area. Pray for the church to intercede and work for reconciliation. Pray for those whose families are grieving the loss of loved ones already. Pray that the escalation would stop and for global leaders to work for peace. “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.” Psalm 46:9
https://aje.io/ur4viu?update=3692375
At a personal update, I have been back in Australia for a week now, arrived in Canberra on Sunday night. On Monday I started in a role with Divergent Church, and am excited to throw myself into ministry here. Canberra is full of potential for mission too, and I’m optimistic for what God can and will do in this city. I’m also very grateful for some family friends who have let me stay for the time being in a house on their property just outside of Canberra … and so I’ve finally had a chance to open my luggage from Pakistan and start to wash clothes, sort my stuff, etc etc. If I haven’t replied to your messages or emails … I’m sorry … I’ll get to everything soon! And I’m looking to reconnect with as many friends and my church family in various places as soon as I can.
When I arrived in Australia on Tuesday morning, I had a chance to see my parents which was a big blessing (photo below). Please pray for my Mum’s angiogram results which will hopefully come through today, and which will help determine whether there is an operation ahead. Pray for wisdom for my parents as they determine their next steps. I’m hoping I’ll be with them in the time ahead, either for the operation in Melbourne, or if they come up here to wait.
I then went on to the ACC national conference in Qld, which was an inspiring time with over 4000 pastors and leaders. The passion for mission in Australia and church planting was awesome to hear, I was grateful that there was a strong emphasis on the centrality of Jesus, and it was generally a refuelling time for me — coming from Pakistan and before starting in Canberra. (That being said … it was full-on to arrive in Aus on Tuesday and launch straight into a conference!). But great to spend time with the Divergent team here. There were many great takeaways, but one that stood out to me was that we often “want the miracle without the price tag.” Often God doing incredible things in our lives has a price — suffering, difficulty, opposition, persecution. We want God to work, but we don’t want the “price tag”. Very challenging.
If I rewind a little, on the way I also had a fascinating opportunity to stop over in Colombo, Sri Lanka and catch up with Virukshan, a pastor I’ve met who is involved in evangelism in villages across Sri Lanka, as well as prison ministries, drug rehabilitation work, social projects like women’s health supplies distribution in schools, and a whole lot of other things. Virukshan’s family was previously involved in pastoring and leading Sri Lanka’s largest church (with 4000 members), before he decided to instead to leave and do ministry in a much more local way … and he now attends a church of 40 people. When I ask Virukshan, “what do you think the Sri Lankan church needs most at the moment?”, he thought for a moment before replying, “Persecution. The church has become comfortable and needs to now be willing to pay the price to take faith seriously.” Wow — challenging words. This is in an environment where militant Buddhist groups are active in Sri Lanka and are actively trying to convert people to Buddhism … and there is increasing opposition to Christian work. Pray for Sri Lanka … but pray for us too, to have the desire to see God’s kingdom grow, stronger than our desire for comfort.
Lunch with Virukshan at the Lotus tower
…and after dinner and good conversations, a walk on the Colombo beach … very refreshing!
And finally, a couple of updates from my friends. Since coming back I’ve continued to connect with people — Cornelius and Deepak particularly. Please pray for both these young men as they look for work, for God to provide for them and their families, and lead them forward. Pray for Cornelius to find a job, even though the economic environment is very difficult at the moment (and getting increasingly so with the conflict). For Deepak, there is a chance that my friend Terrence (who is a pastor in India) could help Deepak to get some educational opportunities through some church programs, and I am very hopeful that Deepak’s involvement with Indian Christians could help him take the next step of faith. He may even restart his English speaking classes, with the support of some Christians and some church volunteers involve too — very cool. Deepak and I have continued to have faith conversations, including a 2.5hr conversation last night about Leviticus, the purpose of the Law, and whether the Bible is from God or a human book. Deepak is so close … but needs a touch from heaven. Pray that God reveals himself to Deepak and changes his heart to “get” it.
Video call screenshots with Cornelius and Deepak
For now, that’s all from me. I now begin the work of adjusting back … unpacking … processing … and continuing to connect with all these contacts from afar. I hope to stay connected with you all too, and if/when I head back overseas I’ll continue writing. In the meantime, thankyou again … and here’s signing out, from Dispatched.
Thanks for the update Noah! Always encouraged by your sharing and reflections. The point about being prepared for the price is a good one for me to reflect on...