Relax, God's in charge

Some situations serve brilliantly to remind you of how God is in control - none more so than our first CU meeting of the new year last night.

With around two hours until we kicked off the new year we were hit by the news that we had no room booking at the university, and that it was too late to do so - they couldn't sort any security out for us (apparently my offer of being security enough was knocked back). The university chaplaincy was being used by members of a different faith society, Costa wouldn't be open late enough, and we facing the possibility of meeting either outside somewhere, or in a rowdy local pub.

But... God provides! As various member of the planning team made their ways to Subway for a hasty planning meeting, we were made aware of the offer of using a local church's coffee shop. As it turns out, only 24 hours earlier the leader of  the church which meets in said coffee shop had told one of our CU to let him know if we ever needed to use it for meetings.

God certainly plans ahead for our failures (and the SU's!). Arun's kindness in letting us use St. Peter's house was in God's plan for our first meeting - I feel as though last night was a great lesson in trusting him, even in our disorganisation.


The meeting itself was a success too - we introduced what a CU is, and what they do. We were all excited to see so many new faces; many more friends, encouragers, and partners to work with as we live and speak for Jesus in our uni. Our staff worker Ben spoke brilliantly from Mark 1:1 ("This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God"), and several CU members introduced different practical aspects of our meetings. The first central of the year brought together a vibrant mix of people, all of whom we hope to see more this year.


In short, we have a God who delights to use failures (such as us) in his rescue plan for the world - even in small details such as last night. We certainly weren't great when it came to planning last night - but God stepped in, and the stress of 5 o'clock became optimism at 7, and happiness and thankfulness by the time we retired to the pub at 10.