As believers we each carry burdens that the Lord has placed on our hearts as we seek His presence and His way in a world that knows such diversity. Different cultures, different languages and different expectations all expressed in so many varied and wonderful and not so wonderful ways. We carry burdens of concern for nations, for communities and individuals as God alerts His people to pray. The prophetic voice sounds not only from that person known to have a strong prophetic gift but from many, as the voice of God permeates man’s thoughts and aligns them with His own.
This morning as I listened to the beautiful chimes of the local church I heard the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit ask: “Why have the bells stopped ringing”. And of course, because they were ringing, I had to ask: “What do You mean?” A gentle answer: “The bells are heard but the sense of urgency and need to reach the lost has waned.”
The bells in history were used for many different reasons — to celebrate, to mourn, to summon and, of course, to warn of impending danger. Villagers would hear the bells and rush from the fields into the town for protection. Protection from a danger that threatened their lives as soldiers, invaders intent of stealing and ransacking would storm the village.
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Today in England the church bells are heard throughout the country and they are perhaps one of the most historic sounds we may hear. They are letting everyone know that the service is soon to start and are calling for people to come in. They are beautiful and part of an ancient tradition.
In the beauty and the familiarity of these chimes the Holy Spirit is urging us not to be lulled into passivity because of the tradition. Tradition nullifies the power of God and we are being reminded of an urgency to go out and spread the Gospel. It is not always a gentle, fragile chiming but a sharp reminder of the harsh reality that life without Christ is no life at all.
God’s love for His creation goes way beyond our understanding and His great love will never stop to urge us on and stir us to recognise people’s need for His Son Jesus Christ. We are living in times when wars are real, violence is escalating and we are faced by all sorts of dangers — physical, mental and spiritual. Young people are having to navigate a path through so much that has potential to take them way off track and even destroy their lives.
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Times have changed but the Gospel has not, and it continues to retain the power to bring salvation and a new life that bears no resemblance to what the world has to offer. The Holy spirit is urging us — let our bells begin to ring. You may feel your bell is so quiet it can’t make a difference but the Lord encourages us to know that your bell, my bell and his and her bell will soon together create a symphony that will be heard far and wide. As the bells begin to ring the warning, the invitation will go out and the people will respond.
It is time to ring the bell.
Jane Flack is a South African living in England with her husband. Her passions include intercession and facilitating the Renewed Love course.
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