A Humble Incarnational Abode

We have managed to secure a property to move into on the estate where we feel called to work. This was important to us because 'Incarnational Mission' is important to us - living amongst those we feel called to reach out to.

The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14)

God sent His Son to live amongst those He first decided to reach - He didn't operate at a distance or work remotely! In practical terms the arrival point was a humble abode for 'there was no guest room available' (Luke 2:7). Our arrival point is smaller and thus 'more humble' than we would have naturally wished for - we have had to make hard and bold decisions about 'down-sizing'! Yet in prayer and wrestling through the search process we came to the conclusion that this is right: for us our call is to be living here on the estate, perhaps with just some essentials.

There were larger (and cheaper) houses elsewhere - one possibility just a few minutes walk on the neighbouring estate. Some people we talked to struggled to understand our search principle, assuming we would live where it is convenient to us rather than hanging with us in our search for an incarnational possibility - we had to smile and reply politely, while pressing on in our endeavour.

Incarnational mission is costly. It requires a clear sense of call and re-ordering life priorities to make it work. The gospel accounts show us Jesus who did just that: living this Way of incarnational mission. We are doing our best to follow.