Three days ago at work when we were praying, I imagined violet-red fire rolling down on Waterloo Street. The road was newly paved and the sky was tinted grey. It was like a fiery wind that wound around the corners, burning up any darkness and brokenness. This wind reminded me of the Holy Spirit and the restoration and longing for the return of Christ that He is stirring within us.
On Wednesday evening after the community supper at John Howard Society building, Phil, our spiritual director, gave a bible teaching. There were about eleven of us in this room reading and praying together. The conversation in the room turned as one gentleman brought up Christmas. The word Advent kept popping up and Phil explained that it means, “coming” referring to the the final return of Christ. This goes hand in hand with restoration, that healing and peace will settle around us on that day.
The beginning of Outflow Ministry's slogan is to restore dignity. I think that God is slowly restoring the city of Saint John. His spirit is moving through the city, claiming it as His own. Claiming us as His children. We want that so much at Outflow Ministry. For restoration and healing and breakthrough to happen.
I pray for restoration for the city of Saint John. I pray for restoration for anyone who walks through our doors at Outflow Ministry. I don't think restoration and healing is too much to ask of God. We know it will happen in the end but we also seek it now. That is why we do what we do at Outflow.
Revelation 21:1-4
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
This is a promise that strengthens one in the darker and bleaker times of life. When the storm is swirling about you tightly - look ahead in the eye of the storm and you will see Jesus, adorned in silver and bronze, with fire burning in his eyes. He will come and wipe away any tear that falls. One promise we can hold onto and long for is our meeting at the gate of heaven. He will be there, ready to welcome you home.
Laura Duncanson
