"ah ha" Moments

Have you ever had one of those "ah ha" moments in life? Those moments where you suddenly remember something that, for one reason or another, vanished from your memory. Do you remember what it felt like to remember? Depending on what was forgotten the emotions can range from relief and satisfaction to fear and worry.


Israel experienced an "ah ha" moment in 2 Kings 22. God's chosen people had so neglected his word that it had left their hearts and minds. They had forgotten the very thing that helped shape their identity as a people. Yet God is a God who helps his people remember. The High Priest found the Book of the Law, which had been lost, and handed it to the King's secretary who immediately opened it and read from it. The word of God instantly began to work in the heart of the secretary and the only thing he could think to do was to bring it to Josiah and read it to him. Josiah was so emotionally engaged that, after hearing God's word, he tore his clothes and sent out people to learn more about this Book of the Law that had been found.

Nehemiah 8 again paints a picture of an "ah ha" moment for the people of Israel. After years of exile, God's chosen people were allowed back into their land to rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. They had once again forgotten the word of God. However, God is a God who helps his people remember. And so Ezra stood on a high wooden platform before a great crowd that had gathered. He began opening the Book of the Law of Moses which had not been heard in many years. The people stood in anticipation of hearing God's word. Ezra read and then burst into praise to the Lord. And scripture records that "all the people lifted their hands and responded , 'Amen, Amen!' Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:6)

These are two different accounts showing two different, yet valid, responses to God's people remembering their heritage. Remembering how God's word connected them to his power and compelled them to worship.

We are often asked the question, "why plant churches in London?" We could answer that we have been called by God to London. We could answer by saying that we have a deep love for the people of London. We could answer that we feel that our gifts and talents make us a good fit to plant churches in London and all of these answers would be true and genuine. But ultimately they are complementary to the primary reason.

London is a city that has forgotten the Word of God and fallen into a season of deep unbelief. God's word was once in their hearts and minds but is now lost. And so we see ourselves as the King's secretary in 2 Kings 22 and Ezra in Nehemiah 8 opening up scripture to the masses, giving them the opportunity of an "ah ha" moment. We anticipate the word of God transforming people into the image of Jesus. We look forward to the day when people who had previously forgotten the word of God rise as one in anticipation of hearing His word read allowed. When people have Psalm 73:28 written on their hearts, "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." And when we as a church can make Acts 6:7 a reality, "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem (London) increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

This is why we are going to London. We are going to reactivate belief. London has a rich heritage of faith in God that has been lost. We go to reactivate that belief. We go to restore lives to Jesus. We go to reconnect the natural influence of London to God's mission. We go for the "ah ha" moments!