A Reminder...The Bumps Before The Breakthrough...

Someone posted a comment for this blogpost recently and I found myself reading these words that I had penned back in 2015 and found myself being so encouraged by my own testimony. I love that. So I am re-posting this trés uplifting blog post because though she be an oldie…she is definitely a goldie, trust me. Enjoy. x

Crooked Paths Become Deliciously Straight

I have generally found that before God is about to bring a change, victory or major breakthrough in something, that often, we get ridiculously attacked in that very area. The poo totally hits the fan. It gets soooo overwhelming that we wonder what the heck is going on...whether God has lost our address...forgotten our name...perhaps totally given up on us? Because the fight is so fiery; so intense - that we feel like we might just sink.  

But I have come to recognise that when the heat is on and I am finding it so hard to see...hard to stand...so hard to remain full of joy...so hard to keep faith filled...so hard to be confident about God's perfect plan for my life...that it's in those days...weeks...months...and seasons that I need to prove most faithful...most expectant...most enduring...most rooted in love...and most spirit led...because the very thing in which I'm being so majorly battered and bruised in, is the very area that I am going to see a crazy wow God breakthrough...I'm gonna see answered prayers beyond my wildest dreams...I'm going to see the crooked places become deliciously straight...and I'm going to see the love and goodness of God, in a new light...in a MUCH greater, faith-fuelling way.  

Somewhere in this fiery storm was a divine set Up

This very thing happened to me recently when I got a Word from God that I was going to be majorly blessed financially...immediately following the prophetic Word I experienced three months of such ridiculous lack that I almost got depressed...almost went over the edge haha...yet during the trial, in my heart I knew that somewhere in this fiery storm was a divine set up for my next season...that on the other side of the fight was the financial blessing that I knew was coming - but it wasn't going to JUST show up and be handed to me...I had to contend for it...I had to be willing to fight for it...my character had to be made mature enough to handle the blessing that was coming...my heart needing to recognise afresh who truly was the source of the blessing...and my faith needed a fresh place of growth...a fresh touch of the gift of faith.  

And so when the financial breakthrough did come after that crazy season of oh so painful lack I had NO DOUBT that the blessing was from God. That He in His amazing love drenched wisdom had allowed (NOT initiated) the lack in my life in order to prepare me for the abundance.  This filled me with fresh comfort on SO many levels.  

He Is Totally In Charge

I was reminded that He is totally in charge.  I was reminded that no matter how crazy the storm is, God is right there the whole time with us, championing us to come out stronger, maturer, more like His Son, humbler...and more yielded - so He can release all the juicy, delicious good stuff that He wants to lavish us with...longing for our characters to be able to handle the blessing. The book of James calls this faith under pressure:

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2-4‬ MSG)

I just don't pray on the mountain tops like I pray in the valleys

I was reminded that no matter how dark things get, or how permanent and irreversible the mess may apparently seem when the struggles come, that the storm will surely pass and God WILL surely show up...He will work all things together for our good.  I was also reminded that I simply don't pray on the mountain tops like I pray in the valleys. Haha. No matter how much I might try and kid myself when the poo hits the fan and I'm in the wilderness I pray like crazy.  When things are sweet in my life, I know it...my prayers just don't have the same level of intensity.

I also now recognise how the Spirit of God will start speaking to you about stuff before the breakthrough is coming. The Holy Spirit will begin to renew your mind about certain thought patterns and perspectives you hold that need to change - mind sets that need to be renewed before the breakthrough comes.  Back in the day I used to hear people say "God's really been speaking to me about..." And I kinda didn't know what they meant. How did they know? I was getting convicted about loads of stuff all the time and so I wasn't really sure how you could identify one or two specific things that you felt God was saying to you above all the other stuff...I mean wasn't God speaking to you about everything?

But see now I actually get it. It's like even with all the daily conversations you are having with Him, God stirs your heart up for a certain thing and you can't get away from it...you begin to sense a prompting from heaven, telling you that you need to pay attention to how God sees this particular issue...that you need to change your thinking in an area and line it up better to what the Word says. 

How could I have forgotten that?

And so with this whole financial struggle that I faced I found my heart pulling towards one area in particular.  As the lack continued I remember my ever amazing Pastor talking about tithes and offerings at church. I remember literally being arrested and not being able to move...as he shared that tithes are what keeps the devourer (the enemy who steals from us) away from our stuff but it's the offering that we voluntarily bring to God that calls in the abundance. I was like DOHHHHH! How could I have forgotten that???!

I suddenly realised that over the last four years as I'd lived by faith, trusting God to pay me my salary, that yes I had been completely provided for and even had blessings lavished upon me time and time again but I wasn't living in abundance. I realised that I had stopped bringing offerings before the Lord when bringing my tithes. I had obviously alway bought my tithes - that was non negotiable but I had felt that I simply couldn't afford a regular financial offering...so I had given myself as an offering month upon month year upon year as a substitute.

Refusing To Count The Cost

Yet here God was challenging me to start bringing my monetary offering again. I felt He was saying that where He was taking me and what He wanted to give me couldn't be released until I tapped into the principle of bringing my seed offering regularly, trusting Him to be the one to provide for it. And so I did. I started giving beyond my means. I started blessing God and people in a way that I felt I had not been able to do for several years. I refused to count the cost and asked God to anoint me afresh with a heart of generosity.

And then pretty much immediately the financial breakthrough kicked in. Woohoo.  Props to Jesus!! Yay...I do believe following the fiery fight for the blessing...after all the contending...after the renewal of my mind...once I had obeyed God - I believe I was perhaps a little more equipped to handle the blessing...I was a little more aware of the source of my every single breakthrough...A little more trusting of Gods timing...a little more experiencially knowledgable of Gods love and goodness...a little more alert to the sound of Gods voice...a little maturer...a little stronger...a little more faith filled.  

He is first and foremost after our hearts

Aaah God is SO merciful and kind. It helps me no end to see time and time again that we have SUCH a beautiful, loving, giving, gorgeous Father in heaven who wants to lavish us with everything...absolutely everything...but that He is first and foremost after our hearts...and in the fiery places it's our hearts and characters that He is perfecting.  

He is faithful beyond belief.  And no matter what we go through we will always come out winning...because God watches over the fulfilment of His Word in our lives to see it come to pass...and as painful, prolonging and purging as the process might be Papa always knows best. He always works it out. Good always comes out of it.

We just have to trust and obey. x

For The One...

In January I became friends with this precious homeless man at my local station. It began with me just buying him food and blessing him. Then it became a regular chat that we would have. Then it turned into us both eating together and chinwagging about life. In the summer we prayed together for his appointment with the local council to get a flat. He got the flat, praise Jesus! He even got upgraded to a better flat! Praise Jesus galore! A stray cat started following him into his tent on the streets, who then moved into his new upgraded flat with him and brought him so much joy! Praise Jesus for that too. And then praise Jesus, praise Jesus, praise Jesus - a million times praise Him - because this week I witnessed my precious friend getting miraculously healed by Jesus and then him giving his life to the Lord. WOW! WOW! WOW! My heart rejoices. As does all of heaven.

It all kicked off when I saw him at his usual spot in the station and asked if he wanted food but he refused because he said he was in so much agony that he couldn’t bare to eat. He then showed me his injury from falling down in his flat and his side being swollen and him just being in so much pain. I asked if I could pray for him which he allowed me to and then I asked him to check to see how the injury was now feeling. He started moving around and then suddenly his eyes widened and he froze. The look on his face was priceless. LOL.

He literally couldn’t speak. He then in his cockney accent said “are you some kind of a magician, like?” I laughed so hard. I explained to him that Jesus had just healed him. For the next 15 minutes we both just got so happy as we delighted in this supernatural healing because the pain had properly disappeared and he could totally move around again.

He was shocked beyond belief. I then said you should eat now that you’re not in any more pain and went to grab him some food. By the time I came back he was sitting there on the floor baffled but beaming. He shared that while I was gone, he had just been poking his side again and again trying to see if any pain was left and it just wasn’t. Then he shared that he never could’ve imagined this happening. He marvelled that even if he’d gone to a hospital and the hospital had been able to treat him, he still would not be feeling this level of normality and well being. He was utterly utterly blown away.

I explained to him why he was able to experience such wellbeing in a split second, like that. It was because of what Jesus had done on the cross. I shared the gospel with him and how we get to appropriate healing, wholeness and abundance because of the finished work of Christ. When I asked if he believed that Jesus died for him and that he rose again, he wholeheartedly said yes. We talked about the beautiful ways that Jesus had been pursuing him and showing up for him so kindly. He could totally see it. I then asked if he wanted to follow Jesus and invite Him into his heart as Lord, he literally couldn’t say yes quick enough. It was one of the most beautiful salvation moments I’ve ever witnessed.

He cherished every word, every truth, every love drenched moment of his entry into the Kingdom of God, as he said yes to Jesus and prayed to receive the Lord into his heart. Woohooooooo!!!! Oh my gosh. It was so lush. There's such delight in my inmost being. And it’s SO exciting to consider that as a brand new believer he has already experienced such a wonderful measure of God’s love, provision, healing, signs and wonders in His history places with God!! This is so powerful because these things are already a reality to him and so he will naturally release this to others as the norm, from day one! Glorrrry!

Every time I saw my friend or chatted with him, his eternal salvation was always on my heart and so many times I wanted to share the gospel with him, but I held back and simply enjoyed him in that moment and enjoyed the treasure that he is. But nearly eleven months later, since the first moment we met, to witness his moment of eternal salvation kicking in, in God’s perfect timing - with supernatural healing as a divine backdrop, was just glorious. Utterly sublime. It was so so worth the wait.

And so I just want to encourage us today - as God’s ministers of reconciliation, there will be experiences that we will have where we are able to lead people into God’s beautiful love and His kingdom in a single encounter and we will sense the Lord’s love, unction and empowerment to do that. Other times it might involve simply praying for people or sharing God’s love without ever knowing the impact until we get to heaven. But on other occasions it will involve loving people, blessing them, praying with them and for them - and simply journeying with them. And it will involve being at complete rest - trusting that in His perfect timing, God will reveal His love and undeniable reality to this precious person in a beautiful way.

So, beautiful saints…be encouraged - for those that you are journeying with - and longing for, to know the beautiful love of the Lord…know that God is surely drawing them into His embrace, in His perfect timing. So don’t stop loving. Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop blessing. Don’t stop listening. Don’t stop caring. Don’t stop weeping. Don’t stop aching. Don’t stop radiating. Don’t stop cherishing the ones in your world, whether they know God or not. And like Heidi Baker always says, don’t stop, ‘stopping, for the one.’

x

WOMAN ALIVE

Honoured to be featured on the cover of Woman Alive Magazine. Such a joy to be interviewed by the über lovely Tola Doll Fisher, Editor and Creative Director, for this fantastic online and print magazine - which I genuinely think is a really fabulous platform!

And so it’s not at all surprising that I feel SUPER stoked to be joining the fabulous Woman Alive team as a columnist for 2023.

I totes recommend getting not just a copy of the mag but an annual subscription too!

And whilst we’re chatting recommendations, I would love to also direct you towards Tola Doll Fisher’s book

Still Standing: 100 Lessons From An “Unsuccessful” Life which seems like an amazing read that I can’t wait to get my hands on! And if that wasn’t enough….Jemimah Wright Woman Alive’s Deputy Editor has just released her very own debut novel, Isabelle’s Voyage. This I also can’t wait to read but I won’t have to wait long after bagging myself a beaut looking copy at her recent book launch.

Thank you Woman Alive for this beautiful feature and for the super blessed opportunity to be a columnist. Inspired and excited to be around such an incredibly gifted, creative and lovely bunch of beauties.

Photography by the wonderful Inspired Mae Photography. x

Hair by the amazing Poonam Mehmi

Let's Talk About Sex

The last time I was in Oxford was in July. It was part of an amazing event called Jesus Fields and the Saturday involved outreach in Oxford. I’ve gotta be honest - it was one of the hardest atmospheres to share the love of Jesus in. Many were definitely open to hearing about the love of God and getting prayer. But the manifestations and fleshing out was something else and we definitely encountered some crazy.

This weekend I return. To talk about sex. Lol. This should be quite the occasion. I am confident that God is going to show up and show off. And I am super blessed and honoured to be partnering with Stephen and Chloe Smith from Restoration Church. They have such a heart for the community and their faithfulness and love for the lost, the broken, the marginised is releasing heaven over Oxford. Stephen’s testimony is so powerful. Please listen!

The talk will be centered around the sexual revolution, sexual purity and God's greater purpose and way of sex. Please pray for us and those attending, and feel free to join us if your in the area!!

I will also be speaking at Restoration Church the following Sunday morning - all are welcome! x

#LetsTalkAboutSex #SacredSex #SexualPurity #RestorationReach #RestorationChurchUK

David's Tent 2022

David’s Tent. What a glorious slice of heaven here on earth. Year upon year we are all so radically blessed by this beautiful gathering that has shaped countless lives, friendships, families, encounters, songs, anthems, mindsets and even nations. And it is an utter privilege, joy and honour to be in the mix of something so precious. Every year is always so glorious but this tenth anniversary year was more special than ever before. In so many ways. For so many reasons.

And being part of the hosting team was an absolute dream. Thank You so much beautiful Jesus - what a privilege to worship You and know you intimately. Be glorified.

And as we all recalibrate after such a beeeautiful time, I just want to encourage the worshipping community to stay seated at the table. Let’s keep feasting. Let’s keep the fire burning. May our praises rise daily. May we truly run our race to win. May we keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Jesus - the most beautiful One. And may we daily pour our oil upon His feet. Laying it all down. Because He alone is worthy.

xx

📸 Don Mould

MAGNIFY

So often we can find ourselves amplifying our problems, our flaws and weaknesses or someone else's shortcomings - whenever we run into problems. Yet God wants us to magnify His nature, His faithfulness, His love and His Word over ALL of our circumstances, no matter what we may face or how bleak a situation might seem. This is where the power, peace and heavenly perspective is truly found.

Because whenever we magnify who God is and His triumphant finished work, not only do we experience supernatural peace that garrisons and mounts guard around our heart and mind, but we invite God into the situation. Our perspective also changes, so that we can actually see through the lens of our heavenly citizenship and not our earthly minitations! So, the next time you are tempted to amplify your problems, simply magnify God, His goodness and faithfulness and watch everything change!

Watch the full video here

#magnifygod #heisfaithful #praisehisname #donotfear#godsword #godsgotyou #shereadstruth #flowers #pink#christianinspiration #christianlifestyle #livinginlight

The Narrow Road

I’m writing this blog whilst riding on the overground train in east London. Feeling slightly miffed to be honest but choosing to enter into rest and make the most of this little faux pas. You see, I am on my way to West London and I am cutting it fine time wise, but providing I get this train I won’t be too late. My phone says the next train leaves in 3 minutes. So I get to the station and as usual there are two trains. But there are no signs to say which one will go first and no one to ask.

Eeesh. Dilemma. Which one do I get on? I see that there’s a train full of people so I naturally jump on that one thinking that is the wisest thing to do. I disregard the check in my spirit and I ignore the train at the platform with only a few people on it, instead jumping on the one that is most full.

No One Seems Miffed

You know where I’m going with this right? Yup, so the time comes to leave the platform and our train doesn’t seem to be leaving. I’m properly watching my clock now wondering what pray do tell is holding this train up. When suddenly the train that barely had anyone on it, that was nonchanantly chilling on the other platform - quietly leaves - now on its way to where I needed to go. Oh. I can’t believe it and I ask someone in disbelief “Erm has the other train just gone first?” The girl responds “yes” , shrugging their shoulders - “that’s just what we were saying.” But aside from that no one seems fazed. People seemed literally unmoved. Perhaps they were miffed, but they just didn’t show it.

I’m now looking at my watch and so aware that I am going to be superrr late and I’m gutted because I left home with plenty of time. I’m frustrated that there were no signs and no one at the platform telling people which train to get on. And I’m a little annoyed at myself for simply assuming the train that most people were on, was the right place to be.

The Narrow Road

Yet as I sit there God immediately reminds me that this whole scenario is just like the narrow road to heaven. And the sobering truth is that the majority of people are going along with the masses thinking that surely this must be the right way. When in fact it’s the few sitting on that other train on their jack jones looking like fools, who have actually found the narrow path to life.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭AMP‬‬

And just like all the passengers on the station I was at, required a sign or a station inspector or share what he knew, in order for us to reach our destination before it was too late - when it comes to eternal salvation, unless someone hears what the right way is from someone who is “in” the know, how are they even going to know which the right route is? Unless there are signposts to follow how are they going to be led to the narrow path????

How Will They?

Unless we believers are sharing the gospel how are the lost going to hear the message? And unless we rise up as signposts toward the gospel the lost will just keep sitting in darkness - at times rather comfortably and unfazed about the eternal loss they will suffer, unless they discover the truth.

“But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? Just as it is written and forever remains written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”” Romans‬ ‭10:14-15‬‬

In the end I was twenty minutes late.  Not exactly ideal but certainly not the end of the world. Yet the sobering, deeply convicting and terrifying truth is that when it comes to knowing the right route to salvation and finding the narrow road to eternal life it will literally be the end of their world for countless image bearers of Christ who may never know the truth unless we show them the way. Countless souls who will otherwise find themselves in eternity without Christ. 

Time Is Of Essence

Time is so short my loves. The majority of people are on the broad and wide road heading to destruction. Those of us on the narrow road must ensure that we are not simply following the masses but we must stay at our posts and radiantly shine our light, rising up as signposts towards eternal life in Christ. Messengers of the gospel, ministers of reconciliation who simply cannot afford to let the masses stay on the wide and broad road. The cost is far too high and time is far too short. 

May you and I be so deeply stirred us to share the gospel to our family, friends, colleagues and to those in the highways and byways, like never before. May compassion for the lost arrest us radically. May we boldly disciple nations in every sphere of influence and may we long in our inmost being, for Jesus, the precious Lamb that was slain, who is now seated upon the throne, to receive His full reward.

xx

Tragedies, Treasures and Triumphant Turnarounds.

I never tire of watching God turn tragedies around. I never cease to be utterly amazed at how something can seem so pants one minute and then suddenly everything changes and nothing but Jesus matters. It’s wild. And each time that happens it serves as a fresh reminder that we are of another world. A world that isn’t led by our circumstances, our emotions or our limitations. But we are of an eternal, unseen world. We are of a heavenly kingdom. A kingdom that is utterly besotted with its King. A kingdom that revolves around the Lord and His beauty. A Kingdom that is unshakeable no matter what. A kingdom that in all things can give thanks. 

Fleshing Out

That’s exactly what I found myself doing this week when my phone got stolen. Initially though I am not gonna lie, I did flesh out. Oh yes. That I did do. I found myself getting upset first. A little bit moody. Regretting taking my mum out for dinner and then out for some shopping - because that was what I was doing when my phone got jacked. I was mumbling away in my head thinking that “man that turned out to be an expensive night. I mean I was tryna be a blessing right Father - and now I am hundreds of pounds poorer!! I mean Lord!! Why did you let that happen?” I ever so silently, subconsciously demanded. “I covered myself by the blood this morning right, Lord? I prayed and read the Word declaring your best over my day. Soooo…what happened Lord, pray do tell.” I moodily pondered.

And then I came home, I blocked the phone and reported everything to the police and then O2. It was so late by now. And then I sat feeling sorry for myself. Smiles. Drama queen. And then I went on Facebook. You know, as you do. 

Worthy Of The Calling

But then this is gonna sound crazy but I was on my own profile and I suddenly found myself clicking on a post of me preaching at an event in the Summer. And then next thing I know I’m properly being ministered to through my own preach. Like what??? I flipping love that. I literally listened to my whole message! And then before I knew it, the preach is finished and I was so pumped by the anointing that I hadn’t even been thinking about my phone or my loss. All I was thinking about was God and His Kingdom. And how much I wanted to be found worthy of the calling that He had given me. I began to cry out filled with so much passion and zeal. Next thing I know, I am interceding all over the place.

And then I started reflecting on today’s date which was 2.2.22. Mate, that devil made a BIG mistake getting someone to steal my phone on 2.2.22!! Because suddenly a word I read bit earlier that night from a Prophet came back to me. It was about taking back the keys and putting a demand on everything that had been stolen from us! By now, I was filled with righteous indignation. I blessed the person who stole my phone and then I started commanding that the enemy had to restore back everything that he had EVER stolen from me with COMPENSATION! I was taking authority all over the gaff. Declaring that the doors God had opened for me and for the bride of Christ no man could close, and what God had closed no man could open! Woohooo!

Everything Changed

It was gone midnight by this time and I was so so full of energy, so full of hunger and desire for the Lord. For His will to be done here on earth as in heaven. And then suddenly the Lord began breaking my heart for some stuff. I’m now literally on my face weeping for the people He began laying on my heart. Everything changed. Everything. All I wanted was more of Jesus. More of His way. I didn’t care about anything but doing His will.

I was soooo delightfully charged up as began journalling a while later and thanked Him for once again flooring me with His capacity to take what that enemy meant for harm and using it for His good. Cause let’s face it if I had, had my phone in my possession like normal, I would never have found myself journeying down this highway to heaven in such a glorious way. This beautiful beautiful road to the sweetest redemption would have eluded me and though it initially felt like a valley of sorrow and sadness it had become the most delightful pool of blessing that has marked me in the most blissful way.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings. They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7

All The Way To Zion

Wow. I just don’t know how He does it, but He does it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. He ALWAYS turns things around so beautifully, so miraculously. So admirably. Wow. Only in the Lord are we able to become so encouraged and full of hope - no matter what! Only in Him are the circumstances of life COMPLETELY and so DEEPLY overshadowed by the beauty and goodness of Him. Literally nothing else compares to Him. And when we have Him, we have everything. No matter whatever else we may or may not not have. He truly is the greatest treasure of all. And those that have Him have indeed hit the eternal jackpot. Seriously. Kerching. All. The. Way. To. Zion.

He is jealous for me

Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy

When all of a sudden

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

And I realize just how beautiful You are

And how great Your affections are for me

-Oh how He loves - David Crowder Band

x

THE BEST YES...

Today is my birthday in Jesus. Exactly 17 years ago, on October 26th 2004 I stood in a Christian bookshop and totally surrendered my life to the Lord. I decided this was it - I was never going back to the world. In that moment I was radically delivered from the kingdom of darkness, the drugs, alcohol abuse, promiscuity and striving and was brought into the eternal kingdom of God’s love! Woohoo!

And since that heavenly encounter, my heart has never stopped blazing for Jesus and I’ve been compelled to tell anyone and everyone that will listen about the incredible, liberating, glorious and satisfying love of God! Saying yes to Him was the best YES of my life. Wow, what an adventure - to belong to Him. Here’s to another 17 billion years being yours Sweet King of Glory - and woohooo we are ONLY just getting started!

P.s. It was such a blast to share the gospel at Parliament Square in Westminster on Saturday (Feel free to check out this vid for a snippet of the street preach). While I was sharing this message a precious homeless man called Rob heard my voice from the other end of the square and kept being led to us - until he was standing right in front of me as I shared. He ended up giving his life to the Lord and had thee most glorious encounter with Jesus while we prayed with Him. He was so overcome by God’s love and peace that he was weeping and holding onto our hands so tightly, wiping his tears with our hands and after he prayed, he had to lie down on the grass for the longest time because the encounter had totally floored him and he was basically having a Lovefest. It was utterly glorious! This is how beautiful Jesus is.

And if you don’t know His love please say yes to Him today because a YES to Jesus will truly be the best YES you will ever say. x

UNLIKELY MESSENGERS

A few weeks back I found myself planning a very tight couple of days as I headed to David’s Tent at the end of last month. For those that don’t know, David’s Tent is the slice of heaven that we get to encounter every August Bank Holiday weekend (bar the odd plandemic that is) for 72 hours of nonstop worship - in glorious West Sussex. So there I was all set to do several key things before I packed to make my way down there on the Tuesday afternoon.

Time was of essence and I really did not need anything to go wrong. So imagine my slight distress when my brother knocks as my front door the day before I am due to leave to spend this week at DT and he informs me that he has had a break up with his girlfriend and so she shall not be able to look after my cat Bella while I’m at DT! And I’m like whaaaaatttt???! Nonononononooooo. That’s just not feasible Ajay (that’s his name) cause I just can’t leave Bella with anyone else!! Sock horror. And if Claire can’t look after Bella then I’m just not going to be able to go anywhere. And I’m going to let so many people down. Panic panic. Please Aj have mercy on me!!

My brother graciously relents to all my begging and says fine - she’ll have to stay with you then. And so she does. Claire comes over about an hour later and she is so distressed. Any chance of packing or getting through my vital list of things to do completely goes out of the window and I just sit with her as she grieves about my brother. And as inconvenient as it all is, I am just so grateful that she is still going to be able to look after Bella that the least I can do is sit and comfort her.

The beautiful thing is that as we are talking, I share with Claire that she basically needs Jesus. That even if she reconciles things with my brother life will never be truly free and fulfilling until she surrenders her heart to the Lord. And so amazingly she does. She accepts Jesus’ beautiful gift of eternal life and invites Him into her heart. We spend the next few hours talking about a fresh start for her, praying together and just having a real little heavenly lovefest.

That evening as I sit on my bed in utter awe of the way Jesus comforted Claire and brought her healing and eternal life I am weeping with joy. My little kitty cat Bella is with me. And suddenly I am so moved by the realisation that Jesus used a cat to bring Claire into His love. All along He knew that it would be so important for Claire to look after Bella and that this would open the door to her actually inviting Him into her heart and starting a relationship with Jesus. That blows my mind. Through my tears and my awe I stroke my beautiful Bella and tell her that she is a minister of reconciliation and that she has just won her first soul for Jesus. Wow. i think that’s actually so crazy exciting and I love it.

Sooooooo basically, if Jesus can used a cat to bring someone into the kingdom surely He can use anyone?

So many people shrink back from evangelising or being available for the Lord to use them - they disqualify themselves for all kinds of reasons and they believe the lie of the enemy that they aren’t bold enough, or spiritual enough or biblically illiterate enough. Or a gazillion other reasons. When the bottom line is that none of that matters. All the Lord is looking for is availability. Obedience. He will cause us to be the catalyst for someone’s eternal salvation if we are simply willing to stop our plans and pause our to do lists and just let Him use us. If we are willing to be ready messengers of the ONLY one true message that this world truly needs.

Colossians 1:23 (MSG) You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, INSERT YOUR OWN NAME am a messenger of this Message.

Like I said peeps…if He can use a cat... x