This week I was invited to Conservative Campaign Head Quarters for a private briefing on election strategies. Following the briefing, I was then escorted to number 10 Downing Street and was privileged to meet with our Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak. In our brief conversation, I was able to speak about the work of TICCN and highlight a couple of our particular areas of interest.
It’s clear to me that through the years TICCN members have enjoyed remarkable favour. As I reflected on this, these words of scripture from Proverbs 3 verses1-4 come to my mind: ‘My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.’
Visiting the Prime Minister was a great honour for me. However, some people are understandably negative regarding politics and politicians. I think President Ronald Reagan’s comical quote hits the mark very well when he said: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.” President Reagan had a tremendous humour and insight.
However, the great number of politicians are attempting to do a difficult job with the best of intentions. It’s little wonder that the Bible teaches us repeatedly how believers ought to respond to them. In Romans 13 we read from verses 1-4a: ‘Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good.’
Whoever happens to be in office, whether or not we voted for them, the Bible commands us to give them respect and honor (1 Peter 2:13-17). Further, we have been taught that we should also be praying for them. As I bring this letter to a close let me encourage you to pray from the book of 1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 1-4: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.’
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are all really members of the same political party. We are all monarchists who are waiting for their King to return (Revelation 19:11-16). That is the most important thing to remember, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, is the solution. Until His return, we have been elected (Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 5:21; Titus 1:1; 2 John 1, Romans 8:33) as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 6:20) to minister the Gospel of His Kingdom.
The work of TICCN supports ministers in both a strategic and practical manner. Into the wider world we offer a Biblical perspective founded on love and faith.
Please consider joining us as a member of TICCN. Remember us in your prayers and as we offer all our work without charge, we ask that you prayerfully consider giving us a monthly support or donation.
Fast forward to 2020 and at this point I came to believe I wasn’t able to travel abroad, maybe my desire to go back to Africa wasn’t where God needed me to go or maybe my two missionary trips were my only missionary trips. Little did I know that God had kept that little flame flickering inside me and it was about to grow! We were in lockdown and I was asking God to help me use my time wisely. I felt prompted to write a children’s story, one that would be used to share the gospel, God’s love, and bring peace in the uncertain times we were living in. During one of my church’s midweek teachings on Facebook God showed me in my mind the book drawn out in a child-like drawing and I started writing what I could see. Before too long there it was “Sammy the Sunflower Snail”. I didn’t really know what I was going to do with the book or rather what God was going to do with it so I gave some out to children I knew and put the rest away.
About a month later I got the urge to take up knitting, I only knew the basics so I started to practice using online videos and seemed to pick it up quickly. I came across a group on social media that collect knitted baby clothes for different charities so I made that my aim. I felt God had yet again answered my prayer and given me the gift of knitting to help people and gave me another great way of using lockdown time. After a few months when restrictions were being lifted some of the items I had knitted were getting sent out to different hospitals and charities. One charity started to reach out to charities in other countries and one of them was ‘Pass it on Trust Uganda’; before I knew it I had sent off my first box of baby clothes and knitted toys to Uganda. Around five weeks later I received photos of babies wearing clothes that I had made and it was then that I knew God was using me to make a difference in Africa! I couldn’t wait to send another box out and then I found out ‘Pass it on Trust Uganda’ were in need of children’s books.
I got the books I had put away and wrapped them up with knitted snails and off they went on their journey to Uganda. When I received photos of children with their books I thought my heart was going to explode with joy knowing not only were the children receiving clothes, toys and books but they received the gospel too! After sharing with Archbishop Steven it all clicked into place. I am a missionary in Africa without leaving home. That small flame inside of me has now become a roaring fire. Children across the world are wearing clothes I’ve knitted, reading books I’ve written, playing with toys I’ve made and it’s all been orchestrated by God! He made a way when I couldn’t see one.
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