Shownotes
God has landed us on the shores of Southsea. We have detached ourselves from being too fixed on familiar places so that we 'don't look back' but instead are ready to move where God is moving. We have considered what it means to 'stay in our lane' as we determine to understand where God is calling us, open to receiving his vision, refusing to compare our lives too much with those in other lanes, and staying firm even in the wilderness.
And now that we are moving, we have learnt what it means to be 'on the ground' and out of our comfort zone. So many 'touch points' were covered through Wayne's captivating personal stories from his journey with the Lord since those foundational years in Sunday school. The love of God is a firm foundation. It is always there waiting for us. But are we really building our life upon this rock? Like those two houses built on rock and sand, two lives can look very similar on the outside. But when the storms hit we get to see the foundation we're truly standing on.
Wayne's mantra in life is clear: "if you want something, you go and get it". But the key to this is that whatever you're going for, you need to know you're doing it in God's will. God has many gifts waiting for us to come and receive. The journey in learning how to receive them is long and challenging but rewarding and God-glorifying. Wayne took us through his dedication to the Lord and also his parents' separation on Christmas Day - all in his teen years. In to his adult years he worked for his dad before starting his own business. He left his life-long church to then end up helping start Family Church with his close friend Pastor Andy Elmes. His dockyard business was merged with another business and life was flourishing - both at work and at home with wife Nicky and their first child.
But a pivotal moment came at a Family Church Men's Getaway on the Isle of Wight with three simple words from God; "Are You Ready?". Reflecting on the life of Daniel, Wayne then resigned as a Director of the successful business and eventually joined the charity Stella's Voice, to help rescue children in Moldova and Ukraine from captivity and danger. While again experiencing success, with the help of a return to Genesis, it was then time for 'new beginnings' again; leading Wayne to leave Stella's Voice and eventually - after being tempted to find his own next step - finding himself joining Family Church as Operations Manager, employed three days a week.
This is a story of God giving great gifts but also asking for something in return. To leave a life of comfort and live uncompromised for Him. When God calls us out of our comfort zone, He is only looking for our 'Yes'. If He has asked us to do something, the outcome is not our responsibility. It's His. When we say 'Yes', we can expect Him to move and to be at the centre of what we are involved in. It doesn't matter what is at thrown at his in life but where we are standing when it is thrown.
As we commit ourselves to journeying with God, sometimes this requires us to leave homes, people and even friends behind. But what we take with us is the roots that we have planted. Let's not just go through the motions in this journey, church - let your roots go deep. Stand firm on solid ground.