Kirsty and I have just got back from Kings Lynn in Norfolk where we were attending the wedding of Dan Lush and Ruth Hiles. It’s been a fantastic weekend with a load of friends making the 3-4 hour journey from Littlehampton to wish them both well. The record for longest journey was Chris Gray after getting stuck at the Dartford Tunnel for 2 hours – unusual for Chris who normally keeps a constant speed of 95mph.
I’ve known Dan for around 18 years and as Pete the Best Man said: “watched him grow from a scruffy little boy to the scruffy little man he is today”! The whole day was one of great celebration and it was really evident how much God plays a part in their relationship. The wedding service itself was bordering on a worship event with an amazing atmosphere of praise echoing around the church. Ruth’s tears were testament that this was the happiest day of her life!
One thing that did get me thinking though was a comment by the preacher. He explained that in life there are ‘Crisis Moments’ where a decision or change is made and these are then followed by the ‘Process’ of working through what it means. His example was of course marriage: on the day there is this critical point where the marriage occurs and then the following years are the process of how the marriage works and grows.
He also likened this development to becoming a Christian and being filled with God’s Holy Spirit, explaining that we make a decision at a particular point and then work through the process of what it practically means. This reminded me of what my friend and colleague Mark Yates wrote for an article in Youthwork Magazine about how we live in a ‘Tick Box’ culture. Tick when they come to church, tick when they complete an Alpha Course, tick when they become a Christian.
In agreement with Mark, my problem with the preacher’s theory of a glorious ‘Crisis Moment’ where we receive a revelation of God , is that actually things are far more messy and undefined for many people. I know friends who can’t remember the exact moment when they became Christians, it was a long process over many years. In the same way I know un-churched young people who are having amazing experiences of God but then not following the process through and applying change to their lives.
I’m not sure where I actually stand on this issue theologically, because I can recognise that the Crisis and Process model does work for many. I suppose until I have a personal revelation, the most important thing I can do is to show the love of Jesus to everyone and let God sort out the rest!
Congratulations Dan and Ruth, we pray you have an amazing life together.