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FORETASTE OF HEAVEN
Mike Farrant counts his blessings
Everything about my life - my values, my relationships, my work, my leisure time, my friends, my lifestyle -has been shaped by my commitment to Christian community. To change now would mean a massive personal upheaval after 22 years, and call into question all that I hold most dear.
But marriages do break up after many years and the person living in Christian community must keep the springs of his living fresh, or he will deteriorate into frustration or institutionalisim. I guess it was the discipleship call of Jesus that got me here and I know no better way of living out the "Go, sell all you have. ..take up your cross. ..come follow Me" words of Jesus. I love the social justice of it, the equality, the classlessness, the demonstration of a kingdom of God society. I also love the buzz of activity, unexpected things happening, old and new faces turning up unannounced and the sense of God's presence in meetings and fellowship.
People are, of course, the biggest problem - but they are also the biggest blessing! My closest friends are those I have lived and worked with in community. Some have left me and that is painful, but most are still around and carry the vision to serve the church and the people from our community house bases.
Like the psalmist, there is nowhere I'd rather be than dwelling in the courts of the Lord. At its best, community is a foretaste of heaven!
Mike Farrant
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Foretaste of heaven
