Reflections on our 2019 Annual Celebration
If you had the opportunity to attend this year’s SCBO annual celebration, you know it was a great time to celebrate what Jesus is doing in Ohio. As I reflect on the days, I am reminded of the story of Elisha and his servant when the Syrian army surrounded them. Elisha’s encouragement to his servant, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:15-17
Nik Ripken, in his book The Insanity of Sacrifice, writes about the persecuted church in the Soviet Union. Followers of Jesus could not meet in open groups or large gatherings, so they met in house churches, often one family, maybe a few extended family believers. It was hard for them to grasp all Jesus was doing; their perspective was limited to their small group.
Some of the pastors thought it would be a good idea to gather young people to help them get a sense they were a part of something much bigger than their isolated group. At great risk, they organized a youth congress in Moscow. Seven hundred youth gathered for a few days. Together, these young believers had their eyes opened to how Jesus was at work in ways far beyond what they imagined.
Though we are not persecuted, we can become isolated, seeing only our corner of the world. Like Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6, our spiritual vision is limited. When we gather, we don’t face the risk they did in Moscow (three pastors were arrested and sentenced to three years in prison), but we have the opportunity for two days to get a glimpse of what Jesus is doing in Ohio and beyond.
The young believers in Russia… went home renewed, encouraged, and filled with hope.” — Nik Ripken, Insanity of Sacrifice, p. 110
So often, when we look around us, we see only limitations, impossibility, defeat. My prayer during the annual celebration was for open eyes. I left renewed, encouraged, and filled with hope at how Jesus is at work in REACH Ohio!
“Elisha prayed, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’”
2 Kings 6:17
So often, when we look around us, we see only limitations, impossibility, defeat. My prayer during the annual celebration was for open eyes. I left renewed, encouraged, and filled with hope at how Jesus is at work in REACH Ohio!