Return That he who runs may read (Hab. 2:2)
Why Should I have been so surprised?
Money raising is not one of my favourite pastimes, but at times it is required, and one of those times is now for the restoration of the church building of St. Tudwal’s in Llanstadwell. There have been various ideas and projects put forward, and one lady kept on bring up this idea of a Sponsored Bible reading in the church. She wanted it to be a non-stop affair, all through the day and night. Nobody was really that enthusiastic, so the idea was politely forgotten and put on one side, except the lady kept on about this sponsored Bible reading.
Well people thought that for a bit of peace and as she would do all the organising, we would go ahead, except it would be a day time event not a non stop arrangement. One comment from a church lady,’ well what a silly idea, what good will that be.’ I think she echoed the thoughts of many.
The reading was to be in the church, and readers could use any translation that they liked. They signed themselves up for an hour; some could bring friends or supporters to keep them company. They’re where lots of empty places on the reading list, but that did not deter the lady.
The result was a surprise to a lot of people. The person, who said it was a waste of time, thought that it was absolutely great, and her and her friends didn’t just read it they talked about it as well [that was not part of the plan, but they read parts of the Bible they never thought existed.] Another lady reading Job had to stop as she was overwhelmed with emotion; people asked if they could come back again and read some more; the MP, the AM, the Mayor of Neyland and the Chairman of the Community Council all came to read. One gentleman remarked,’ I came out of a sense of Duty but I was surprised at what I learnt.’ Members from all of the churches and chapels in Neyland joined in and supported the event with reading.
As the Vicar I was just surprised at how God’s word affected so many people in different ways, and on the Saturday afternoon when the reading finished, people just came and gathered and just talked. Of course the only one who was not surprised at it all was the lady who organised it. As an add on the amount raised was £2,000, but that was secondary to what actually took place.
No we have not entered into a revival, and things seem a lot as normal, yet you can never tell what has happened in peoples lives by the powers of God’s word. He truly is a God of surprises.
Revnd Paul Flavell. Llanstadwell. [Neyland]
Posted: Thu 30/10/08