“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand…“– Joel 2: 1
How often do you realize that you are indeed living in biblical times? No, I don’t mean just reading the Bible. Not just flipping through the pages of God’s Word and imagining the journeys, trials and triumphs of His chosen people – thinking of how intriguing it must’ve been for them. Instead, I’m referring to that God given desire – that fire that engulfs you and fuels your determination to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to reach out a helping hand to our brothers and sisters who are struggling along life’s road. That desire that reverberates like a School bell at 9 o’clock in the morning, calling the day’s proceedings into order – similar to the way God’s Word calls our lives into order – that is what I meant by ‘living in biblical times’. The period extending from Friday 31st July, 2009 to Sunday 2nd August, 2009 gave clear testimony to the fact we do indeed still live in biblical times. It reminded many, especially I, that we all have an important role to play in God’s intervention into the history of man to restore our sinful lives to His righteousness. The memory and experience of those three days, especially the evenings, are an immovable impression upon the fabric of my heart and mind and will forevermore remind me of the active nature of God’s power, and the gentleness of His mercy and grace. ‘Let there be light’ was the declaration made, and by the grace of God ‘light’ shone brightly into lives and situations of the residents of Back Circle, East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, Guyana. To be more specific, 39 fractured souls received the salvation message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. What also was amazing was that of the 39 souls, 22 of them were males – the fact that throughout the world the Church is suffering because of a lack of men who are truly committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we count our blessings. Do you know that feeling of ‘oneness’ you experience when you’re completely captivated by what you’re reading in the Word of God? You know what I mean: it’s as though you are there, right there as the history unfolds. You’re in the midst of God’s servants as they’re moved by His Spirit to not only declare, but also clarify the intention of His Word and His Truth. Whether it’s the likes of the sharp, yet sound, God inspired doctrine delivered through Paul the Apostle to the early churches or the loving embrace of the messages He sent via John the Apostle. Nevertheless, you are there and you understand what is going on, and no one – believer or unbeliever, angel or demon – can steal that truth from you: you are in the Presence of God. This is the very truth and experience of all those who congregated at Back Circle, East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme for those 3 nights. We all heard of God’s mercy, glory and redeeming power as it was told through the life and experiences of the Evangelist, Darryl Edwards of Trinidad and Tobago. Please, do not misinterpret what I’m saying: this was not just another ‘Church Crusade’. It wasn’t just another opportunity for some man you’ve never seen before in your life, a man who does not know the simplest thing about you to play God at your expense. No! It wasn’t another man in fancy clothes with a loud mouth and overemphasized speech pointing his finger at you and telling you how reckless and sinful your life is and how much you need Jesus as you Lord and Savior. Instead, this man is a man who understood the life and the trials of the people of Back Circle – a man who before the Light of Jesus Christ shone into his life, had walked a very similar road, and to an extent, a road that at times was perhaps more dangerous. This man empathized with the people in every aspect – their language, their music, and their mentality – and the people realized this, and the Spirit of the Lord did everything else. Night after night they returned. Some stood erect, some braced against whatever made them feel comfortable, others sat about while others remained in their homes. But what is the heart of man that it should reject the Presence of God and His call? Despite location, whether indoor or outdoor, when the altar calls were made, self was sacrificed and God reigned supreme. Many were present, yet all did not answer the call. How is this to be taken? How are we to explain this happening? Wasn’t God powerful enough to draw all those who were there to Him? Of course He is, but God will never force Himself upon us. That is why He gave us choice. The call was made, some answered, others didn’t – but all those who were present heard and made their choice, whether for God or not. This situation is nothing new, neither is the choice. We’ve seen and read of this truth over and over before. What we’ve also seen and read was the repercussions of our choices, especially as it concerns serving God or not. Nevertheless, whether 39 or any other impressive number or statistic, the Spirit of God moved in Back Circle and He made His impression upon the lives of the people. Where it will go from here, only God knows, but we will not allow human expectations to taint God’s plan for His people. We thank God for what He did do in Back Circle, and we thank Him for what He will continue to do in Back Circle, East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme. The trumpet was blown, the alarm was sounded. Some trembled in fear and answered, other didn’t, but the day of the LORD is still coming. “Let there be Light!”
