Feeling “small”

posted by Navigators on April 15th, 2024 in Blog | Community | Discipleship | Evangelism | Gospel

By Scott Brown, Sydney Labouring Community

When was the last time you felt small?

Was it among the foothills of the Rockies or standing on the coastline with nothing but water in view? Perhaps it was staring up at the brilliance of the night sky overflowing with stars. For me, it was in the heart of the city earlier this month.

Sitting among the multitude passing through the Town Hall area of Sydney’s central business district recently, I was overwhelmed by the many faces and places represented. The myriad of stories; of backgrounds and upbringings, of joys and sorrows, hope and despair circling around me, with no connection to us and no idea of the desire and passion we have to make Christ known. And a feeling of “smallness” washed over me. I reckon it’s easy to feel small, and perhaps even insignificant, when you recognise you are one in the company of millions. If you’ve ever felt that way, we get it! Yet while I felt small, what I didn’t feel was powerless or hopeless.

Rather, I was struck by the power and beauty of God’s call to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28 and amazed at the image of heaven on display before me. I was in awe of the fact that God knows every hair on every head; that He has already made “few” into thousands and the “smallest” into a mighty nation and that He has made a way for each one to break free from the shackles of sin and death and enter into the hope of His eternal embrace. This is His certain purpose and plan for every nation, every tribe and every language because “He is the faithful God keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His command” Deuteronomy 7:9. And my constant prayer is – Lord reach each of these people, and all of their people, with the power of your Gospel – transform every life here through the life-giving work of your Son! Please continue to pray that for Sydney, and for anywhere you call home!

_{Five different nationalities hiking the Blue Mountains. Photo: supplied.}

And as you pray, rejoice with us that the Lord has been answering, “yes”. Already this year we’ve had the privilege of assisting the spiritual growth of those from Korea, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, Great Britain and even Australia, just to name a few. We’ve had conversations about Christ with students from Pakistan, Nepal, India and other parts of South East Asia. Just this week, Tami shared the gospel with an inquisitive man as she sat at a local cafe. I also had the opportunity to share the gospel with Sumit, a newly converted muslim from a hindu family who attended a Bible study with his classmate, Ashton (who just came to Christ last year), and plans to come again next week.

Please pray the Lord opens many more opportunities to share the Gospel, both through word and deed, and that He will transform the hearts of those we meet at Macquarie, whether it be staff or students, and in our local area!

Thanks for your prayers!

Featured image: Klemen Vrankar on Unsplash