For those of you who can remember all those Latin lesson’s you endured (well I guess some may have enjoyed them), you’ll know that Orthoptera is the Latin name for a Grasshopper. Orthopteraism is my made up word for the condition of seeing oneself as a grasshopper compared to the obstacles or opposition that lies ahead. Does this sound familiar? In Numbers 13:33 we read the report that 10 of the 12 spies brought back to the community of Israel regarding the land specifically promised by God to them. It says “… and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers…” This is classic Orthopteraism!
At the end of another academic year, it is only natural for us to look up from the daily tasks of life and try and spot what is awaiting us on the road the other side of the summer holidays. This is a good thing, however here’s the challenge; with almost anything that God has called us to do individually and as a community, it will be to our natural eyes overwhelming, and at times almost suffocating! However, whenever we feel like that we’re in the precise place where Celeb-like faith can be exercised. What was his response to the same information that the other 10 spies saw? “Let us go up at once and occupy it [the promised land], for we are well able to overcome it” (Num 13:30). What enabled Caleb to shake off the Orthopteraism that the other spies were so consumed by? Very simply living faith in our God!
Hebrews 11 describes faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This statement is the paradox that we as follows of Christ have to live in. Our assurance for things not yet seen in the this world is the invisible power and ability of our God!
So at the end of the 2018/19 academic year, let me remind you of the vision of Kingsgate: “Our vision is to raise a 300-strong church community, that is devoted to gospel-shaped: Witness, Discipleship and Compassion.” Does that seem little intimidating, scary, overwhelming and a whole host of other emotions? If so, take a moment right now to thank God that he has placed us in the same position as the 12 spies. Now we’ve got the choice, do we allow Orthopteraism or the grasshopper mentality to eat away at this dream or do we press through and cling to “him who is able to do far more abundantly that all that we ask or think…” (Eph 3:20a)