"I Can't See it Any Other Way"
GCD Newsletter 30th August 2023
I’d love to talk a little bit about politics today.
I’m from the United Kingdom, where blue means conservative and red means liberal, and where we recently swore allegiance to King Charles III. Most of you reading this are from the United States, and so if I were to continue to list off the various elements of the British political landscape, you might be baffled, to say the least—goodness knows what you’d think about Bishops and Lords playing important roles in the British government.
The UK and the USA are allies with a common language that both fly red, white, and blue flags, but somehow almost every level of our political hierarchies are inverted. When I lived in Germany, I had a conversation about a similar phenomenon with my then biology teacher. Somehow the class had gotten onto the subject of morality, and I’d become the focus of attention.
The teacher asked me to stay behind after the lesson. Initially, I thought I’d gotten in trouble, but instead he simply asked questions.
After this had come to an end he said something like, “You see everything upside down. I don’t mean that in a bad way. It is like everyone else is running out of a building, and you’re running in. Can I ask, are you religious?”
Rather than giving a straight response, I replied that the reason I was different wasn’t because of me but because of where I came from. “I’m a Christian, and I believe that means that although I live here, I’m a citizen of heaven and heaven’s laws are different.” To which, to my surprise, he responded, “I can't see it any other way.”
This man, who I’d only heard others speak ill of religion saw past the politics of his homeland and into the world above.
How we live here says something about our eternal heritage and inheritance, and about the God who has given us them both.
Each of this week’s articles speak in some way to that eternal land to which we belong. The first speaks of the heavenly library of the Lord; the second speaks to how we ought to live now, knowing that God is the Alpha and Omega; finally, the third helps to navigate those times when the church doesn’t represent the perfect unity we’ll one day enjoy in eternity.
I hope you’ll be encouraged as citizens of heaven, ambassadors of Christ, and elect exiles here on earth.
Grace and Peace,
Adsum Try Ravenhill is married to Anna and together they are passionate about seeing young men and women discipled within the context of the local church. You can find Adsum through his writing at The Raven’s Writing Desk and you can also find Adsum’s articles for GCD here.
Last Week at GCDiscipleship.com
Five Books in God’s Library and Why They Matter
— by Jana Carlson
“I don’t know what to expect of my arrival at God’s library. The Bible’s descriptions of heaven are glorious, and his library is a part of that. I do know that someday God’s library will become my favorite place in the whole world because he’ll be there, along with his books, and I’ll get to stay forever. Will you join me?”
God With Us, Forever
— by Ashley Anthony
“Both in the more tranquil moments of everyday life and in the more serious trials and suffering, I’ve wondered if God is near. I’ve struggled with feelings of loneliness and isolation in the day-to-day care of my family; I’ve wondered if God hears me as I plead for patience again and again. But it seems like my prayer is unheard, and I’ve cried during hard moments, unsure if the Lord really cares for me.”
On The Other Side of The Church Split
— by Abigail Rehmert
“For ten years we knit our hearts together in love by worshiping together and serving one another. It’s all right to acknowledge the pain of losing the lifestyle of walking closely with these church members. One day we’ll all be stuck together in Glory and be glad about it! Until then, love seeks not its own, and expects nothing in return. And we’re never forsaken by the Head of the Body.”
Insufficient Pastors, Sufficient Savior - Tuesday, September 26, 9:30-10:30PM
Are you a pastor that is tired and weary? Are you going to be at TGC 2023? Do you carry a feeling of being inadequate and insufficient for ministry? Join three pastors and authors, Jonathan Dodson (Unwavering Pastor), Ronnie Martin (Art of Pastoring), and Jeremy Writebol (Pastor, Jesus is Enough), as they aim to encourage and equip pastors and Christian leaders through a series of conversations about our calling, ministry, and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ for the church and our lives.
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