Its a set up!

Have you ever been set up for something unexpected? 

Generally when we think about being set up, we think of it in the negative sense! I've been set up by people, organisations, all sorts of things in the past. Some comedy program's are all about setting someone up for a fall, and often we get a laugh out of them, don't we?
So, being set up is something that's hard to see as anything other than a bad thing. But actually, it depends on whose doing the setting up doesn't it?

What if God is setting us up for something?

Now I know you'll probably chuck something like, "no evil comes from God" or something like that; and I totally agree, but sometimes God does set us up, not for a fall, but for our growth and for the continued unfolding of His redemptive plan.

Think about the blind man in John 9, Verses 2 & 3:

2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Wasn't the blind man in a way, set up? Set up, so that the works of God might be displayed in Him?

Let me give you an example from my own life:

Things went bad for me at work in a former job; I actually thought I might lose my job because of my former use of drugs. When actually, all the heartache of the moment led me to seek after Jesus; His mighty works we're seen in me, when He set me free from an addiction to drugs!

Could the whole episode have been God setting me up for my salvation, and for a the cure for my drugs problem?

I truly don't believe that God brings about evil in any form; that always comes from evil, or is at least is influenced by evil. But God is able to use anything that is out there, as He sets up circumstances, circumstances that will result in His perfect will being done!

So yes, God sets people up!

I'm currently going through one of the hardest periods of my whole life. I'm in the UK, separated from my wife, my church and pretty much everything that I know as my life. Events led me to get caught up in the negative side of South Africa's new immigration laws.

Has God brought about these things?
No, but He is using these events to set me up; and not only me. God is using these events to set up my wife and my church (The Vine).
As we go through this tough period, people in my fellowship are stepping into roles that they may never have considered, at least not at this point in their lives. New people are preaching, leading men's groups, leading prayer meetings and all kinds of exciting activities. Personally, I'm spending so much time with God, so much time listening to Him, growing in my relationship with Him.

God is setting us up! 

He is using a desperate situation and bringing good out of it!

So what is He setting us up for?

Well, I believe it's for the ministry that He has for us in the town of Humansdorp; I believe He is setting us up for, among many other things, growth in our men's ministry.
At some point I will be returning home - church life will not look the same upon my return, and the changes are going to open up all kinds of new opportunities. Opportunities to serve the people of Humansdorp, opportunities to extend God's Kingdom in that place. But it doesn't end there; coupled with all this will be our growth in faith and effectiveness; it's safe to say, that we're all exercising our faith muscles at this time!

So yes, God is setting us up - and it's all good!

I say it's all good, and it is - but at the same time it's often hard to push through the tough moments?

What is God looking for from us in such moments? How is He proving faithful in them?

Well to start, He wants us to hold on to Him.
He also wants us to search the scriptures for wisdom and encouragement.
He wants us to grow in our relationship with Him, grow in our trust and dependence upon Him.
He wants our fellowship, one to another, to deepen and be expressed in new and exciting ways.

For me, stood here in the UK, I'm hearing about how all these things are happening. And I can't tell you how encouraging and exciting such news is.
Great things are happening at home, but great things are also happening here, in my own life.

God is able to turn all things around and bring good out of them - I can testify to that!

So back to my main point on being set up!

Is God setting you up for something? Is He using circumstance in your life to bring about His amazing plan?

Don't waist a moment of it; turn to our great God and ask Him what His plans are; ask Him what He is looking for.
And then run with it!

The future He has for us all, is for our good, and for the continuance of His awesome redemptive plan for all creation.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV)

Father figures

A few weeks ago I was chatting to a new friend by the name of Bruce who is serving God and the people of South Africa through an exciting sports ministry (check out www.aishopeacademy.org/). We hooked up to discuss CVM SA (Christian Vision for Men South Africa).

Bruce shared with me something that clearly was coming from his heart; the idea of father figures. Bruce works with a lot of young, impressionable men.

Question - Who is standing as a father figure for these guys, and the many others in our communities?

When we look at our society today we can see many issues; crime, unemployment, poor living conditions etc etc. We hear these issues reported on our news programs, for some we have even experienced, first-hand the negative outcome of such issues.

Question - Should we just sit back and complain, should we sit back and wait for others to address the issues?

Clearly the answer is NO!

We can all get on board and try to do something to turn things around.

One thing I want to highlight in this post is the whole idea of father figures.

Not every young man out there, in everyday life, has a positive role model, mentor figure in their life. Even those who still have their biological father or other family members like uncles don't always have a real positive father figure in whom they can learn from and turn too. I think this is where, for many young guys, things start to fall apart!
But change, even for those who have turned to crime is possible; just ask guys like Bruce who works with young offenders.

What we need is men who can act as a father figure, mentor to the next generation. This was something that I think past generations were often pretty good at. But it's something we, in today's world have, dare I say, forgotten about. We need men who can first set good examples; this needs to be in every area of life including family, work and their social lives. From there we need men who will make time to invest in the next generation and guide them as they grow into the men of tomorrow.

I'm a Christian, so from my stand point I would say that such father figures need to know God as Lord and Saviour. From such a relationship life can be lived the right way and the positive example needed can be lived out. But actually let's not limit this idea to the Christian church. Men today, regardless of religious beliefs need to live life right, and as they do, they can in turn be the example setters for the next generation.

Okay, so maybe I tweaked your interest. What does being a father figure to the next generation entail?

Well I've already mentioned setting the right example, but if you can give more you will help more. We need guys who are able to come alongside young guys, not to judge them but to walk with them through those formative years. We need guys who will make themselves available to young men as a listening ear and as a help in times of trouble. We need men who recognise that they themselves have had positive things like morals, practical skills and so on invested into them, and they now can invest such experience into the next generation.

There is much more that can be shared and I invite you to comment on this post if I can help you or encourage you further.

If like me you see the importance of such father figures, mentors in society and you want to get on board, take a look at those young guys already known to you. Is there anyone you can befriend, (A piece of advice here; don't force things and speak to any parents involved before making your approach). Another way to offer yourself as a father figure or mentor is to talk to your local church leaders. They should be able to advice you and point you in the right direction.

I would also like to make myself available to you. If you leave me a contact email or phone number I will contact you and help to put you in touch with the right people.

Before I close this post, let me say to any young man who reads this who feels they have no such positive figure in their lives, there are guys like Bruce, like me, who care. Please speak to the right people and let them help you as you go on with your life, (the comment part of this post is for you too).

Thanks for reading.

Location:Jeffreys Bay