Upper Rooms and Rooftops

Last Saturday evening found me in one of those, “God is amazing” places. I hope you are familiar with them. For me they are those moments when you realize God has brought you to a place you never imagined being, and surrounded you with brothers and sisters in faith from all over the world.

We were gathered with young couples and their children on the roof top of an apartment building overlooking Darling Harbor in Sydney Australia. The occasion for the party was to bless with financial gifts and prayers and love a young family heading to China soon to live and work, love and shine in that part of the world.

There was lots of good food from several Asian countries. Grandma Holly got recruited to tell Bill and Edgar stories (some day I'll fill you in on these :), because 15 kids on a rooftop make a lot of noise.

We stood looking over this city that Cory, Elisa and family have come to call home. The people are all connected to Wesley International Congregation. They are committed to one another. They get together as couples often enough to function as Aunties and Uncles for all the children. They know each other well enough to appreciate the roles they play in this community of believers...an yet they are outward focused. They are always on alert for others in the city who need a place to belong, and a family to care. I think that is what makes them unique...their closeness hasn't made them “Closed.”

And so Al and I were drawn to, “The Upper Room” aspect of this gathering as we looked out over the darkening cityscape and beautiful harbor. Here they gathered for support and prayer...the prayers of children as well as adults. Here they all gathered for belonging and outreach; not to stay too comfortable, but to recognize that where we are, and what we do, and who we know and love, needs to remain in a growing, stretching, nurturing state.

“Upper Rooms”...the disciples the night that Jesus was betrayed...the evening of the resurrection...the 120 gathered, waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit...the WIC disciples on the rooftop. Not a place to “stay,” but a place from which to “go” into all the world and make disciples, teaching them all Jesus has commanded us. And Jesus promises. “LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE, and the ends of the earth.”