29 February – John Callaghan Life Church Petersfield

Could Moses have missed it?

Do you remember Moses? It was through him God changed the history of the world, because he made the choice to listen to God? Jesus also had to make the choice to do his Father’s will and die. What would happen if the human race followed their example and took time to listen and do what their heavenly Father inspires them to do?

As a teacher for over twenty years at TPS I saw many lives change as individuals stopped, listened, then acted to make a change. There is nothing so exciting as seeing a individual finding and being empowered by these moments of inspiration.

Let me tell you about Moses, he had murdered an Egyptian guard and was hiding from God choosing to be a shepherd in the wilderness. God appeared to him in a burning bush, which appeared to burn but was not consumed. Moses could have continued on his journey with his sheep but ‘he turned aside’ to see this amazing sight.. God called out to him from the bush, ‘Moses Moses’ and he said ‘Here I am.’

Whilst working at TPS I often felt I wanted to see more care and pastoral input available for the young people. But everyone is busy, and at times an upset young person was left sitting by my desk for several hours. In my prayers I paid attention to the call to take action and make a difference.

Amazingly I came across many people feeling the same concern for Petersfield’s young people. Putting our heads together we launched the beginnings of the King’s Arms Youth Project (KA)

Many people from our community came forward to help us lease and set up a safe place where young people could go, have fun and receive qualified support. Twenty five years later the community of Petersfield has bought 20 Dragon Street as a permanent home for KA. The sacrificial giving by the Petersfield community both financial and in practical effort was all a matter of choice for hundreds of individuals deciding to make a difference.

As you go about your life maybe you will encounter a need, something which makes you think, ‘could I do something?’ Will you chose to stop and pay attention, perhaps listen and take action? You never know, this may change your life and the lives of many others.