I have recently been away. I am convinced that being away is God’s way of making you realise that his church really doesn’t need you. In fact, I am sure – apart from the obvious human necessity of it – sleep is God’s daily reminder that the world won’t fall apart if you aren’t doing whatever it is you do too. Sleep and holidays are the regular reminders that the Lord can cope just fine without us.

It is heartening to remember that the church has a pretty solid 2000 year history before I showed up. Even my own church has a nearly 100 year history, around 90 of which had nothing to do with me. The church was fine before I showed up and I have no doubt it will be fine long after I am gone too. And, not just me, but you too.

It is always worth remembering that Jesus cares about his church far more than I do. And I care a great deal about his church! But as much as I think I care, Jesus cares infinitely more. The Lord will accomplish his purposes in his church for her good, he doesn’t need me for that. He may, in his graciousness, be pleased to use me to that end in some way, but they’re his purposes and down to him that they come to pass. He’ll manage to do them with or without me (or you).

Our job is simply to be faithful to him in the decisions he puts in front of us. We may not know their ramifications or significance, we are simply to be faithful in the things in front of us today. Sometimes he may use our ordinary faithfulness in great ways for his kingdom. Other times, our faithfulness may seem insignificant and of little impact. Occasionally, our faithfulness might be used in ways that the Lord intends but are not altogether pleasant or what we might deem good. But in the end, the Lord will use our faithfulness how he wills, his purposes for his church will come about and – whether we know the whys and wherefores now – we will one day glorify utterly for it all.