Aslan on the Move
I’ve searched my memory for something to relate it to, and I can’t think of a funeral in my lifetime that had the scale and reach of what we witnessed for Charlie Kirk this past Sunday. Filling an entire NFL stadium for any event is a hard thing to do, let alone having many thousands waiting outside. And with the online reach, it seems as if the whole world was watching. For me the most moving part was watching his wife come on stage. Just merely showing up, let alone choosing to speak, shows her incredible strength of character. When she said “I forgive you” to her husband’s killer, to the murderer of her children’s father, the tears flowed in our home. It was a moving testimony to the power of the Gospel on display for all the world to see. Of course there were political moments mixed in with the event, but I think the Gospel stood apart from the politics and stood out for the world to see. Hearing very public figures taking a very public stand for their faith is something we don’t often see.
So what does all this mean for Valley View? It’s clear that God is stirring in our culture. Our church has been praying that we would be ready when He moves. This past Sunday we had more guests than I recall in my time here (even more than on Easter or Christmas). People who have kept faith on the back burner are being moved to think about Christ. Will the interest wax or wane? Only God knows, as we were told in John 3:8 “The wind blows where it wishes…. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The one thing we can do is keep praying and faithfully, urgently, lovingly, follow up and pursue people. We are a Bible-believing, prayer-dependent, Christ-centered church eager to share the love of Christ with the South End of Louisville. Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, the good news of His coming to earth so we can be rescued from our sin and spend eternity with Him! I’ve noticed that many are responding to nudges and prompts to come try out church. Be praying for God to open a door for you to invite someone on October 12th, the week of our Fall Faith Festival (and chili cook-off). It’s the perfect day for people to try out the church and meet new people.
Last Sunday we looked at what Paul said to the Philippians about getting back to the place you want to be. This week we will be wrapping up chapter one, where he challenges them to stay engaged through the challenges they face. Read ahead and join us for worship!
In the Chronicles of Narnia, when the winter began to thaw, the people began saying, “Aslan is on the move!” and hope returned to a devastated land. Hope in Christ is stirring. Pray for your friends, neighbors, and family, to join us October 12th!
– Image of Aslan created by ChatGPT