What Lies Ahead
One of the best things that happened to me during my long hiatus overseas was the chance to see Big Brother, who is arguably the wisest among the four brothers in what Jie Jie and I have come to reference as our “clan” (basically, six biologically unrelated brothers and sisters in Christ who love each other enough to call and treat each other as siblings). Every time I see Big Brother, we have some sort of deep discussion about pertinent current issues, and I always come away feeling challenged, encouraged, and inspired.
I’ve referenced this before on this blog, but it bears repeating — this last visit was particularly meaningful. One of the great challenges I received from Big Brother was to return to the City with a mission of eternal value. To take on the mindset that I am there not only to work and to gain professional experience, but also to contribute to the spiritual welfare of my fellow brothers and sisters in the City, particularly those with whom I went to law school. I have long intended for my stay in the City (however long or short, though it’s looking shorter and shorter these days) to involve substantial and intentional efforts apart from merely professional endeavors. But this commission from Big Brother was more pointed, more directed, more specific.
Today, responding to an email in which I asked for prayer as I venture back into the City this weekend to look for housing, Big Brother wrote this -
“Know that the core desire that is driving this – the desire to see beloved sisters and brothers from the past united in a God-centered fellowship to seek God and bless others – is a great desire. I cannot see why God wouldn’t be delighted in that. It was an incredible blessing for me and for the folks (including you for the summer!) who participated while it existed in vibrant form. And I feel like we had only scratched the surface of the potential that God was showing me in terms of depth of fellowship that could be developed, opportunities for community service together, bringing straying souls in [the City] to the group, studying the Word of God and applying it in our lives together, and of course, just laughing together – especially at [Third and Fourth Brothers]. Honestly, other than [ ] at the time, the small group was the one thing that really made it difficult to leave NYC – not only for what it was but for the potential that I saw. If this is a vision that God might be giving you, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to pursue it. Be zealous for unity fellowship of Christ, be passionate to be all that God can make you in [the City] – and desire that earnestly for others as well. And be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might.”
In the days/weeks/months ahead, I pray that God would sustain me in this time of great transition, and that He would fuel our community with a fiery passion for His gospel; supply a common vision for serving our colleagues, spiritual siblings, and broader community in the City; and motivate our hearts to seek Him as one body. For you blogreaders who are fellow believers, I’d appreciate your prayers on this too. Thanks. 