When I decided to go to Spring Harvest I was aware that the experience would probably be quite different from the last time I went in 1988, (I had actually been to Skegness in 2000 but that visit doesn't really count because I had to leave on the second day after some support equipment broke down).
Last time I attended Minehead 23 years ago, (A rather young Graham KendrIck was Worship Leader!), I was considerably younger and more able than I am now. With this in mind I placed Spring Harvest firmly at the top of my ‘bucket list’. With the high cost of Butlins accommodation, [I have to pay for my whole party myself], I was fully expecting this would be my last visit.
This time I decided that rather than taking my regular Personal Assistants I would ask two people who had worked for me in the past, Gertrude and Fiona, who have since become friends and who are both Evangelical Christians. As I shall explain later, this worked perfectly.
When we had booked in and after getting totally lost onsite we finally found our chalet , (with the help of some friendly stewards). The accommodation was not ideal but the Butlins staff were very helpful, shifting beds, providing extra duvets, etc.
On the first night, having unpacked two wheelchairs, bed raiser, etc., we arrived at the big top late and could only rely on the video screen to see what was going on. On subsequent nights we arrived at six thirty and got a brilliant place right on the corner of the stage.
This may seem to be a strange analogy but the the first three day’s teaching in the big top were rather like an Alfred Hitchcock thriller. The first and second days started by being chatty and humourus and ending up rather challenging. The third day was scary and dangerous. All of the speakers throughout the week were just brilliant!
The drama group who took us through the bible readings were very clever, getting the message across with humour. The dance and banner twirling just added to the atmosphere of the worship.
The Worship with Noel Richards and his fantastic band and singers was top class; not only musically but what a brilliant Worship Leader he is. Noel managed to extract every ounce of praise from us all, (Even I was singing loud [if somewhat off-key] ).
Because the wheelchair access was segregated I asked if some of the St. John’s party would come on the final night’s big top event to where I was sitting and worship with me. It was just wonderful all being together praising our great God! On that final night, after the serious stuff was over, we were in party mode, (They even got my creaky joints bopping and shaking!).
I didn’t get to the seminars but one that I especially wanted to take part in was not accessible. Maybe this was meant to be….. Next door was an ‘all age’ praise party. I don’t think that the organisers had my age in mind, I was probably twice the age of the leader and easily old enough to be great grandmother to most of the participants. Not being a parent I don’t usually get to see this kind of event and I was so impressed by the way that these very young children were being taught how to relate to the Scriptures.
After worship in the big top every evening Gertrude, Fiona and I returned to the chalet and usually fully discussed the teaching and other aspects of our day. Our sessions of ‘theological ping-pong’ brought out many questions and quite a few answers too, (Games of theological ping-pong are fine as long as they are refereed by God). We always ended these sessions with a time of prayer.
The worship and teaching in the big top and those times of wonderful fellowship that we shared in our chalet are the two memories that I shall hold on to as very special.
God knew that I was trying to listen to Him and I believe that he spoke to me very clearly at Spring Harvest. I have brought a few things home with me to help me in my Christian journey:
- I need to spend more time with God’s word, (i have already ordered a year’s subscription to some daily bible reading notes).
- Whenever possible, prayer times should be a shared experience, (“Wherever two or three are gathered in my name”). I also need to meet with other Christians more often, both in a study and a social context.
- I know that I must look after my 'Temple'. I just can't manage with 5 hours sleep anymore and I do tend to 'run' with infections, etc., hoping that they will go away by themselves. That was fine and made me strong when I was younger but now I need to take more care to arrest problems before they become entrenched. I must also use the prayer team from time to time. We all think that we can 'do it alone'. I am sure that God's fingers are itching to heal us but He won't intrude unless we come to Him in faith.
- Finally, (and probably the most difficult for me), I must accept that God almost certainly prefers me to sing off-key in church rather than to see me lip synching the songs, This was easy in the big top with all of those thousands of worshipers to drown me out! (Anyone with a sensitive musical ear please note and sit at least six seats away from me).
I know I must now use this great ‘shot in the arm’ to help sustain me in my everyday Christian life.
So; Was this as I expected my last Spring Harvest?
well,
NOT IF I CAN HELP IT!
I sit near you in church and I hope to hear your beautiful voice sometime soon, offkey or not, if the sentiment is there then God will be delighted and thats really all that matters!!XX
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