Roy Todd’s Office
51 High Street,
Kegworth
DE74 2DA,
England
Equipping, Engaging, Empowering
‘LESS is the key to MORE’
Too often in charismatic churches, there is a mistaken assumption that fast-paced,
high energy events are what we need in order to see God’s power. Frankly, this is
misguided nonsense. What’s really required is a willingness to create space for God
to do what only he can do. And no-matter how action packed a programme may be – there
really are no short cuts to signs and wonders.
Far from putting on a variety of extra programmes, ‘less’ is what we need to learn.
That’s about making room for God to manifest himself to us. This requires a tidying
up process on our part which challenges us to re-assess whether what we’re doing
is helpful or in the way, the latter being de-cluttered if necessary. Yet there’s
something about our insecurities that feels threatened by minimalism, thinking that
only when lots of things are going on are we going to see something happen. Many
churches are far too afraid to clear their clutter of activities for fear of what
might be exposed if they were taken away. Their concerns are expressed in sentiments
that are not always verbalised, but which ponder: will people still worship without
our style of music? Will members keep coming to church if the programme changes?
Will they continue to give financially if we stop the things that we feel need to
be brought to an end?
Of course there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with music styles, programmes, extra-activities
and the rest. But if those things become more important than God himself, they turn
into clutter. If they are a blockage to miracles happening, then they are excess
to demand and as such, need to be cleared out of the way. The process of de-cluttering
is not about losing but providing opportunity for God to pour in. After all, only
when there is emptiness can God really do something of significance.
Interestingly, the first recorded miracle of Jesus was at a wedding in the town of
Cana in Galilee. Disaster was looming for the party organisers because they had run
out of wine. The six huge jars were completely drained. But unbeknown to the servants
that day, it was the perfect condition for a miracle. Emptiness is always a good
place to commence when you want to see the miraculous. What should have been a terrible
anti-climax was soon to turn into an even more joyful occasion. In the end, the servants
had no option but to trust Jesus. This is the kind of faith that God likes.
God can do more in one instant than we could ever attempt in a whole lifetime. Making
space for him to manifest his presence is the preparation we need for those miraculous
moments that are yet to come. It’s in times like this that one encounter with God
can lead to situations being transformed forever. But the process of de-cluttering
takes a step of faith and not a little courage as there are sometimes periods of
seeming inaction. There can even be occasions when it appears that Heaven has gone
silent. Some make the mistake of assuming the sense of nothingness means it’s not
working and so revert to endless programmes again. But we shouldn’t be afraid of
silence. Why be threatened by quietness? “In quietness and confidence shall be your
strength” (Isaiah 30:15 KJV). God is watching over his word and in his good time,
he will bring it to pass. We just need to keep our lives clear of clutter so that
nothing will hinder Him working in and through us. Remember, the moment for a miracle
will come so always be on the ready for it. It’s time for the church in the UK to
clear away the clutter and make room for God’s miraculous power.
