When Jesus arrives

Dear ACCI family and friends,

Sometimes I would love to see this world through God’s eyes. In particular, I’d want to see His Kingdom on this earth, the millions of people serving in His name, and how they make this world actually function, bringing good and hope where there is no hope. Through their faithfulness and sacrifice, an incredible number of interconnected relationships drive a force that—in many ways—sustains and supports our societies in an unseen yet powerful way. That is what I would like to see: God’s presence in His servants, and His servants’ light in this world of darkness.

Then I stop to think, and I realize that I do have the privilege to actually see part of it—a glimpse of the Kingdom of God—through our missionaries, their stories, their relationships, through our churches and families, in our brothers and sisters.

True, we don’t have a complete view of what God is doing in this world today, but there are precious moments in which we can sense that something is actually happening, that the Lord is moving in new ways.
This is certainly one of those moments. It’s not sudden nor loud, but it’s there.

The Lord is drawing people to Him, and it’s often the kind of people we don’t expect: the youth and the elderly, young men for whom this society has no place, people who are seeking honesty, real relationships, and a God of hope.

Many people are sharing, privately and publicly, how this is happening in different places and in different ways, and I feel it’s a huge privilege to be able to see it and experience it firsthand.

Youth—especially young men—are experiencing a new interest in God and faith, but this is actually true for other generations as well.

We can think of many reasons why this is happening: the Covid period took away many certainties about life, people probably feel disillusioned by politics, money, success, ideologies… but the truth is that when God moves, we don’t really know why it happens at a certain time in a certain place. What we know is that He loves to show up in the most difficult and ungodly times.

When God moves, we can only sit in awe and realize that all our evangelistic efforts, our projects and programs—as good as they may be—are just timid attempts to accomplish what God can do by snapping His spiritual fingers. When the Lord says “now”, it happens.

I can only imagine what it could have been like when Jesus came into this world.
There was a strong and powerful pagan empire governing His homeland. Most of the Jewish authorities were legalistic and concerned about themselves and their power rather than about their people. People’s morale was low and sin was widespread, and Jesus came from the poor part of a subjugated province.

I imagine He could feel a mixture of fear, anger, and disappointment around Himself.
Then He arrived, and history changed.

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:1-7

When Jesus Christ arrives, Galilee is honored, people walking in spiritual darkness see the light, His nation experiences true eternal joy, and the spiritual yoke that is upon His people is shattered.
No more war, no more suffering.

All because of a small child who will govern forever.

Francesco Abortivi – ACCI International Director