David Webster, Author at 1Africa

I lost 6kg in two weeks

David Webster

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August 8, 2017

No – this is not an infomercial. It’s not one of those dodgy links you click on in the unsolicited pop-up window of your browser. But let’s be honest – I’ve found myself falling for some rather outrageous links along the way. Whether it is a miraculous new piece of equipment, a protein shake or supplement, it is clear that the market is fulfilling an internal desire for people to look and feel healthier (if not to just feel better about themselves).

Throughout my life, I must confess – I have been extremely body conscious. As a guy it doesn’t sound like the right thing to say, but from where I stand it seems there are more men struggling with self-image than women these days. There have been a few moments where I truly felt like I had traction in the area of health and fitness in my life, but many of them fizzled for various reasons. In the end I found myself fed up. I found that whatever the market was selling was not good enough. No amount of ‘workout inspiration’, supplements or angry music could help me get my physical state in order. I had to look deeper.

So I went to God.

Wow! Yup – this is an article about weight loss that just got spiritual. In the past four months I have studied what scripture says about it, spoken to God about what I need to understand and scrutinized my own motives for being ‘well’ at length. And out of it I have begun to build a lifestyle that is directed towards wholeness and overall strength. Here are a few stages I had to go through internally before changing any external factors:

Stop juggling the deficit

We are all only human. I know – that guy on the cover of ‘Men’s Health‘ looks like a god, but he’s got some problems in life too. You won’t have to look too far to find them. Whenever I tried to ‘jumpstart’ my health life I would end up dropping something else. The better I looked externally, the more insecure I became internally – relying on what I looked like, rather than allowing my identity to permeate through.

I call this ‘juggling the deficit’. You might be in great shape. You might have a really strong self-image. You might be known for your great personality. But could you truly say you’re healthy and strong across ALL those areas? Is your thought life as healthy as your body? Are your meal plans as beneficial as your relationships? You see, I was fed up with simply shifting the problem from one area to another – focusing on my physical health while dropping the ball bigtime in my thought life. As I said before – we are all human. You might say it’s impossible to thrive in every area of your life, but I beg to differ. God created us to thrive completely. We were made to function without any hindrances or problems. We are not superheroes, but if we go back to the Author of the manual for our lives, I believe we will find the unique problems and deal with them. We can live strong in every area of life.

You have to be completely vulnerable

This is something that we, as guys, don’t do very well. Even in culture today, there is a constant jostling for position – and a very one-dimensional, infantile understanding of manhood that is robbing many of their true identity. You might stop reading at this point and say, “I clicked on this to find out how you lost weight…” and my response is this: let’s deal with why first.

Why do you want to be healthy, strong and attractive? Here are a few answers that the market plays off of blatantly:

To feel better about myself
To be better than everyone else
To be accepted by other people
To prove others wrong

As much as the issues touched on in the questions above are real and deeply moving, I can tell you now they will not hold in the long run. Why? Because all of them are rooted in an unhealthy perspective of identity. In every instance you would be building your health upon the decay of your soul.

Here are the facts:

You weighing less or looking stronger won’t change how you think about yourself. Over-exercising is just as addictive as over-eating. If you use this reason as your motivation, you will end up being obsessive, which would lead to breakdowns in other areas of your life.
Wanting to be better than others is not godly. In many ways, you are trying to make other people feel worse by being more impressive, desirable and attractive. There is only one ‘top seat’ and a few billion people on this planet – do you understand how illogical this motive can be? And why things such as war, social injustice and gangsterism are rife?
You losing weight might make it easier for people to accept you at first – but that is playing to the lowest caliber of individual in this world. If you need to fit into a certain dress size or have a below 10% body fat to be included, find new friends. No one has time for shallow self-obsessed relationships – they are a virus to this generation already.
Everyone loves the story of the underdog, but if you are wanting to base your physical life decisions on proving others wrong, you will end up striving to ‘stick it’ to people who have long forgotten you exist. I have spoken to many people who came to realize they were trying to prove people wrong who had already died. The root of this problem is actually unforgiveness. As someone who has been bullied and seen many tough sides to life, I can understand if you say that this is a bit harsh. But truth isn’t about comfort – it’s about real health of the soul.

I had to search for a God-understanding on my physical health and wholeness. And I find myself healthier than ever – physically, emotionally and spiritually. If you want to read more about that, you can find my blog here: God and your body.

God is the only answer to true wholeness. He is the ultimate and only ‘fix’ to your problems and insecurities. If you would like to start a personal dialogue with Him about all He made you for, click on the link below to find out more.

God’s got you

David Webster

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August 4, 2017

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Today we marvel at the ‘self made man’. He is our hero and our motivation to wake up in the morning and do whatever it takes to achieve our dreams.

“The world is only what you make of it… it’s your oyster.”

“You can do anything you put your mind to.”

“There are no limits to your potential if you simply keep trying…”

“Started from the bottom now I’m here.”

This kind of rhetoric has intoxicated our generation unlike any other. It has built systems that magnify the possibility but overshadow the harsh realities as well. You might not want to hear this, but you were never made to live a life that you could build on your own. It would be a sad day if you got to the end of your life and said, “I did it all myself.”

I have been extremely frustrated with my life as a young person. The dreams and desires I have seemed to be impossible – out of reach. I see it in a huge section of this generation as well – students who have been sold a dream, only to be let down by the impossibilities they face. But the dream isn’t wrong. The journey to reaching it is just a little harder than everyone lets on.

God gives us impossible dreams

God has put the desire to achieve the impossible inside of us. He’s given us a hope for things that we would never be able to accomplish on our own for a reason: so that He can be included in our journey.

I honestly believe that our desires and dreams are pure. One of the ‘it’ words in faith circles in the last decade has been the word ‘agenda’. People have preached about guarding your heart and not having any driving passion for something out of your control. And as much as I understand what those people mean, there should never be a time when you feel guilty for dreaming. The problem is when you want to control how you get to that dream. That is agenda – wanting to make sure it looks a certain way.

God is more than capable

In my frustration and torment (for real – there were some dark moments), I turned to God and realized how misguided I had been. As much as I could try to do the right things, achieve the right marks, know the right people and be in the right places – there was no guarantee that I would be able to ‘move forward’ at all in what I am passionate about. It felt like I was running into a brick wall over and over again. So I decided to give up and rather look to God.

Just a little perspective adjustment:

– God created you. He knows your whole story – even the parts you have forgotten.

– God knows why He placed you in your situation. He knows your capabilities and your downfalls.

– God doesn’t only see all of you, though. He sees all of everyone around you as well.

– He knows the workings and struggles of every single system in existence.

– God owns everything – all the property, shares, livestock, accommodation, wi-fi and countries on Earth.

– He is the final authority in every sphere of life.

– God also loves you completely. He wants what is good for you – He knows best for your sake.

To believe all of this, you are going to have to encounter God personally. The only way you can truly understand your dependence on Him is if you connect with Him yourself. If you would like to do so, click on the link below to find out more.

God’s got you

There have been many moments when I have wanted to give up. I have been angry, frustrated, disillusioned and jealous – all of those fickle emotions got me nowhere. But every time I turned to God, I found myself renewed and strengthened to engage with the hard realities I had to face that day.

I can now write to you from the other side of this struggle. After seven years of taking on that frustration, God has come through. He does answer prayers. He does fulfill dreams. He does know best. I am convinced that nothing within those seven hard years was a waste – I have learnt valuable lessons about myself and others through all the frustration. I have learnt to value what God has put in my life. I have learnt how to have staying power. I have learnt surrender.

In the end, God is not as interested in what you achieve as He is in who you become. He cares about your soul’s wellbeing once you have finally ‘arrived’ at the moment of your dreams. I thank God I didn’t get what I wanted seven years ago – I would have made a total mess of my life and definitely would not be happy. So hang in there. God’s got you. When you can’t see forward don’t forget that you can always look up.

The benefits of brokenness

David Webster

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July 27, 2017

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Over the years, brokenness has become repugnant to humanity. Today it is seen as unattractive, awkward and even offensive to the general populace. Despite the ever-growing number of campaigns to ‘normalize’ grief, heartache, depression and sadness, there is still a terrible taboo around them in daily life.

In the biblical times, this was not the case. Culturally, brokenness was not shunned (as much) and people would openly grieve, cry and process their desperation – even with dressing in sackcloth and ash. I believe all of us are experiencing some level of brokenness right now. You might not even know it because we have trained ourselves to suppress it. But being broken is part of life – and I believe it is a state of existence that God can use powerfully in many different ways. So – whether you’re judging someone for being broken, or suffering with brokenness yourself – here are a few benefits to brokenness that I hope you would consider:

Openness

Anything broken is immediately more receptive. If you consider the concept of surface area – an object increases in surface area the more it is smashed to pieces. Granted, its purpose may be compromised but if we are in desperate need of a sensitivity and receptivity, then being broken will open you up. In that state of personal devastation you are set up for a whole new perspective to develop in your life. Embraced pain will allow you to stop pretending to be okay and enable you to let the real issues be dealt with. Not everything that crosses your mind will be beneficial in this season. Offense will try to make you bitter. But I believe that new opportunities will also arise that you would have never thought of.

I have recently been listening to interviews of famous directors, writers and actors online. Many of them set out to do something completely different and had their dreams and hopes shattered before they happened upon their profession. Sometimes we need to be broken. When we lose the fight for control of our lives, there is such greater scope for God to direct us.

Community

One thing that brokenness immediately delivers to us is the capacity for empathy. Suffering is suffering. You don’t need to have experienced the same set of situations to identify with someone else’s battle with reality. That, in turn, gives you the opportunity to become more connected. Those who have been through brokenness are able to help and have compassion for those who are presently contending with it. Those who are struggling are more likely to find support and build life-long relationships out of their struggles.

You find a rather tainted example of this in the world of Non-profit organizations. A large factor to the success of these kind of ventures is the clear and overwhelming need that is presented. The clarity of the need is directly proportional to the support for that need. It is the same with us. The more we are honest and open about our problems with trustworthy people – the stronger support we will have to do that season well. Masks make us nothing but lonely and inauthentic.

Gratitude

Once you break, you are all of a sudden way more aware of the good that is around you. It’s a glorious oxymoron – where your own pain highlights the beauty of the world around you. Sometimes this can drive you to depths of sadness and jealousy – just being honest. But your trouble resets the focus on everything that’s good in the world. I have found myself in the underbelly of perfection, being refreshed by nature or light or a random conversation. When you go through tough times, your body almost immediately begins to appreciate things that we can grow so accustomed to.

One of the greatest example of this is when you are forced to start ‘adulting’. Leaving the safety of your parents’ house and the warm home cooked meals and the washing that magically appears in your cupboard may seem exciting at first. But eating two-minute noodles for six months will really help you be grateful for your parent’s home cooking.

Transformation

This is the most exciting thing about brokenness. When you are established and comfortable, it is much harder to change. Being broken down allows you to rebuild – having learned from what broke you down in the first place. In the Bible there is a reference to this when it comes to God and the nation of Israel. God depicts himself as a potter and Israel is the clay. It speaks of God’s authority, but also about how we as humans are still malleable. If there is an imperfection in a piece of pottery, it will burst when it is in the fire of the kiln. So the potter will have to break down the clay and start again. You cannot press the ‘reset’ button on your life without breaking. But there is great hope in being wiser as you rebuild.

If you find yourself stuck in the struggle – focusing on the negative sides of brokenness, I would love to invite you to connect with Jesus. You might think it strange, but choosing to believe in Jesus and everything He did for us is a very big key to finding hope and possibility within the struggle. His suffering throughout his life on earth and (ultimately) on the cross is key to understand that He cares and identifies with you. Click on the link below to find out more.

New Single: Kesha after 3 years of silence

David Webster

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July 26, 2017

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New Single: Kesha after 3 years of silence

Recently Kesha has emerged from a forced 3 year ‘creative hiatus’ with new music. I don’t know if you are familiar with the controversy around her previous producer who allegedly was extremely possessive and abusive towards the singer – controlling every aspect of her career and refusing to allow her to develop artistically. Whether this is all completely true is inconclusive, but many music industry players spoke out in support of her emancipation from her producer Dr. Luke.

Her new offering is a very clear statement – that this is an artistic and personal rebirth for the pop star, though the iconography used in the music video could possibly be another source of controversy.

Her first single off the upcoming album Rainbow is miles away from her older party anthem tracks like Tick/Tock and Timber. Praying is an angst-filled ballad that directly addresses Kesha’s depression and her alleged abuser. It is raw, dramatic and the vocals especially are impressive – carrying a Stevie Nix/Blondie type rock vocal that we haven’t heard in a long while.

Kesha definitely knows what she’s doing – she went all out in the music video, posing questions around God and hope in an uncomfortably long monologue. Her multiple outfits are over-the-top and pretty jarring when compared to the lyric and music. It portrays a kind of emptiness by highlighting the excessive outward attention brilliantly.

Her inspiration is incredibly religious as well. Her wardrobe includes angel wings, a crown of thorns and crucifixes. The choice of location also alludes to themes of God – Salvation Mountain is a popular landmark with huge colourful murals surrounding God and a large cross at the top of it. There is also a dark ‘chapel’ scene with benches and candles. The most outright use of imagery, however, is how she walks on water into the sunset at the end.

Check out the video below:

Now I am definitely not one of those people to cry ‘illuminati’ or any other kind of criticism. When it comes to the artist, I do believe that Kesha is sincerely expressing her ‘salvation’ and ‘born again’ ideas. Too many people have jumped to judgment when it comes to these things. It may be uncomfortable for people who have faith to watch, but who is to say what truly has gone on in Kesha’s personal life? Maybe this is her way of exploring her own faith. It could be the lifeline that has helped her through her turbulent past.

The one thing that the lyrics do speak to is her desire for whoever needs forgiveness to find it. There is an empathy for her oppressor(s) in the chorus that cannot be ignored. It is extremely visceral, despite the fact that she has two pig-headed men (literally) chasing her throughout the music video.

Behind all the makeup and styling there is a woman who is trying to start over and make her mark on the world. I pray that she does find hope in God along the way.

Excuse abuse

David Webster

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July 25, 2017

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It’s so easy to have an excuse. Nowadays everything has become a reason to skip out on things you are expected to do. We all may have busy lives, exceptional circumstances or unforeseen problems, but have you ever stopped to analyze your excuses? How valid would they have been to your parents’ generation? I am not trying to be insensitive at all, but could you be missing out on life due to your own self-justification? You can end up abusing your future through excessive excuses.

I’ve lived with many excuses in my life. Here are a few that have allowed me to feel sorry for myself and have robbed me of great opportunity.

I’m tired

For any single millennial – all you have to do is say that to a new parent to feel how foolish the statement is. If you are struggling with energy levels, what are the reasons? Before pulling out of your responsibility, maybe just ask that question. Did you get enough sleep? If not, why not? Caffeine too late at night? Watching movies? Texting friends or bae? Not eating properly? Not washing your bedding? Absence of a routine? Residual stress and anger due to days’ events?

In all of our excuses, we have to take some form of responsibility. It is easier to play the ‘victim card’ and abdicate from life than it is to own up to your role in why things are harder to do.

It’s too ‘out of the way’

This one cost me missing one of my good friends’ engagement celebrations. I didn’t have money for petrol – and that was due to some careless financial decisions. But if I had known that it was going down, I would have definitely made a way to get there.

You never know what opportunity may arise out of you simply saying “yes” and committing to it. I don’t even want to think about the possibilities that lay on the other side of my excuses. My life could be completely different. I pray that we are not a generation that will miss out on the God-ordained encounters and ‘coincidences’ due to our weak excuses.

It’s not my scene

I get social anxiety. It may sound weird to some people who know me, but it is a factor in everything I do. I have improved immensely with the help of the environment of church and some great friendships, but there are times when I still find every fiber of my being wanting to retreat into a quiet ‘hole’ somewhere.

The times I have overcome that urge, however, are the times that I have found some of my greatest friends and mentors. They are the times I realized people valued my presence and my opinion. They are the times I have realized that my own story is unique and interesting – valid and even powerful. Using this specific excuse stems from identity issues, but also reinforces insecurity. It’s a lethal cycle you don’t want to give power to in your life, trust me.

I don’t have time

This is one that I face with students especially. I get to work with a whole range of young adults as part of my ministry in local church and I believe unequivocally in the powerful potential university students have. But the stress of a degree and the demands of living independently can be overwhelming. Many struggle with time management as a result. Here are a few questions that have helped me and many others to not use this as an excuse:

How many series have you watched in the last 24 hours?

How much time have you spend on social media in the last 24 hours?

Have you asked someone to help you learn how to study?

What time did you go to sleep?

How long did you sleep for? (You’d be surprised how many people sleep over 10 hours)

I am never discrediting the fact that things are challenging when asking these questions. But from personal experience I know that using ‘I don’t have time’ as an excuse diminishes your worldview and places strain on your mental ability. Engaging with people and situations outside of your immediate world will help reset your perspective and encourage you to work and live better.

In conclusion, I just want to give credit to the people who – despite valid excuses – choose to be responsible and carry their weight. There are some who have not allowed poverty to be an excuse and have become incredibly successful. There are some who, despite debilitating health complications, consistently work and raise families. There are some who – despite traumatic abuse – have chosen to fight back and talk about their struggles so that others can also find hope. There are some who – despite being rejected and beaten down by society – choose to be persistent and keep showing up – keep trying.

I want to thank those ‘some’ for changing the world. I hope to be counted with you one day as well.

If you are struggling to overcome the realities of your situation or your past, there are people who would love to pray with you and encourage you. Leave a comment down below or click on the link below to find out more about how God can transform your perspective of life.

Judging God

David Webster

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July 24, 2017

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Oh yes – we’re going there. I don’t know what your attitude with God might be right now, but I hope you allow me to get a bit real on this subject. There are many reasons why people would think they could judge God (or the concept of God). Everything from the boundaries of our understanding through to the suffering in this world can lead to judgements on the presence or interest of a higher power. There are those who would argue against one specific god – saying there are many ways to reach a ‘heightened spiritual experience’. This leads to people choosing the god they ‘prefer’ which, in essence, makes them bigger than their god.

But judging God is not only an issue for those who struggle to believe in the one and only God – the highest power ever – God the Father. I know many Christians who judge God without even realizing it. I have personally judged God. In the Bible it is very clear that Jesus is the ultimate judge. And even in our struggles and injustices we have no right, or footing, to judge Him.

You can’t put God on trial. If you think you can, it immediately exposes a few flaws in your perspective of who He is. So if you are angry – if there are things that you want to blame God for, here are a few things to remember:

God doesn’t ‘let things happen’

Many of us think that everything that happens to us or around us is first ‘signed off’ by heaven. Now it is true that God is completely all-powerful. It is true that He has ultimate rule over this earth. But He also gave us choice. The consequences of man’s decisions are not simply filtered out so that we don’t have to experience them. Judgement involves an understanding of justice. As much as God sees each of us individually, He also sees humanity as a whole.

When there is injustice that we want to pin onto God, we have to first turn to our fellow-man and realize that it was the bad, selfish decisions of others that have resulted in our hardship. God is not indifferent to your suffering. He’s not ignorant or flippant about the presence of injustice in your life. He agonizes and longs to transform the issues you are facing, but rejecting Him or judging Him denies Him the ability to do it in your life.

God intentionally gave us choice – a life with Him, or a life without Him. Every decision we make either allows God in, or keeps Him out of our individual stories.

God is a Father, not a manager

God is not a punisher for the sake of punishment. He is a discipliner who loves us dearly and wants us to grow in relationship with Him.

Let’s be honest. Life is hard. As a young adult learning the ropes of being independent and successful I find myself struggling with multiple problems at the same time. Whether it is employment, finances, self-worth, comparison, ambition or downright suffering there are moments where I have looked at God and all I want to say is, “I have been faithful. I am doing my best to be obedient. But it doesn’t look like you care.”

That kind of frustration leads to an anger that is easy to direct at God when there is no one else to blame. But I recently read a passage in the Bible when Jesus was put on trial by the religious leaders of Israel. As Jesus was standing in front of them, many came and tried to accuse Him of things He had said and done. But nothing worked. What was most aggravating is that Jesus refused to even respond to them. They could not provoke Him.

I honestly heard as clear as day God say to me, “If you put me on trial, I will be silent.” Now as someone who has come to value God’s direction and input in my life, I realized that there is no way I would want Him to be silent.

Have you ever been so angry that no matter what people say, think, or do you refuse to be influenced by them? I have realized that many of us can be like that with God. If we actually stop raging at Him, He will be able to speak and comfort us. God is a father. He wants to comfort you in your frustration. He is in your corner. He wants to help you process your emotions and find a way forward. He wants to work with you in transforming your problems. All we need to do is to stop shaking our fists at Him and open our hands so that He can hold them – and lead us where we need to go.

In my personal experience doing this reminded me that God is a good father who comforts, reassures, encourages, leads and protects. If you want to find that love that is more important than any of your issues or injustices, click on the link below. His love overwhelms guilt, shame, your insecurities and your pain.

How urgency can lead to unity

David Webster

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July 13, 2017

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I don’t know if you’ve watched the film Hidden Figures, but if you haven’t – do yourself a favor – grab some popcorn and enjoy. You’ll thank me later. When I recently watched it, I thoroughly enjoyed the acting, the pacing of the story and the marvelous music written by one of the producers of the film – the phenomenal Pharrell Williams.

But I left the film impacted by something much deeper. Based on a true story, the plot takes place within NASA in America’s south, during the 1960’s which was, at the time, a hotspot of racial tension (let alone rife with sexism as well). Yet these three African-American women find themselves promoted and celebrated within this world. It’s a wonderful sight to see the director of the space program destroying the ‘coloured restroom’ sign – breaking a symbol of segregation, a battle that was being fought for far more intentionally in other places around the country at the time. For that to happen at that time in history was extremely rare and noteworthy and that brought me to thinking about why it occurred.

Firstly, I want to give credit to the people involved. There is no doubt that those individuals who saw beyond race and gender were visionaries and strong ethical people. But I do believe there was another factor at play that made the biggest difference: there was a sense of urgency. America had to get into space to get ahead of Russia in the Cold War.

When there is strong pressure to get things done, there is no longer time or energy to get caught up in the semantics of prejudices. Optimal efficiency requires everyone to be utilized to their fullest potential regardless of any demographic. I believe urgency is a key factor in establishing not only equality but unity within the most diverse group of people.

I am really grateful we get to live in a world that is on its way to achieving equality regarding race and gender, but you do not have to look far to see there is still a long way to go between equality and unity. Many believe that our human differences are irreconcilable, but I am convinced that there will be a time where regardless of appearance, creed or persuasion, we will be able to truly live united.

I am tired of watching cultural differences tearing Africa apart. I am tired of seeing injustice rise its ugly head over and over – whether on social media or the street corner, the greater social constructs and individual personal moments. But as much as these things need to be advocated for, if we solely focus on them we might see equality but never actually build unity. We might not be racing to put someone into space, but I believe that the principle of urgency does apply to us today – and there are many sources of urgency that could be used to unite people.

The church is meant to be a place where the urgency to reach the lost, see people find community and family, and ultimately live a life filled with the wonder of God. I am blessed to be part of a church that is doing exactly that – and I get to serve and be in community with many different cultures, nationalities and classes as a result. My church does not have unity because we focused solely on it. It has unity because the ultimate goal is God’s heart and reality expressed on the earth. That goal involves everyone. It does not require qualification, genetic tests or any specific gender. The only requirement is that you show up – everyone is welcome. Everyone can be part of the journey.

In a broader context, Africa has more potential to prosper than any other continent. But while we are caught up in the semantics of ‘tribe, tongue and nation’, we will end up losing ourselves in the murky waters of injustice when there is a desperate need for strong, inclusive leadership. I know the economic situation in South Africa is looking dire, but that can foster an urgency that will force people to value each other for what they bring. As we focus on building – as we recognize the urgency for change surrounding us – I believe we will be able to see our continent flourish and our people begin to live united.

I believe that God is the ultimate uniting factor. He made all of us uniquely and specifically to portray who He is. Focussing on Him immediately draws us closer to all of humanity – because He is the Creator of all people. When it seems impossible to love and forgive, He is the one who enables us to do so. Everything that seems impossible is redefined when God is involved in your life. If you would like to find out more – click on the link below.

Making sense of God

David Webster

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July 10, 2017

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One of the biggest barriers I believe people have when it comes to believing in God is the fact that His character does not make total sense to us. He is full of love, but also judges. He is gentle but also extremely powerful. He is fair but also assigns favour. He is a Father but also a King; an angel commander but rarely talks in whispers. He is outside of time but we can only engage with Him in it. He is everywhere but can go unnoticed. He is radical but also respectful. He is good, but there is so much bad in the world. He is full of fun but also incredibly formidable.

It is so hard for us to piece together the 3D image of God – especially in an age where we prize ourselves as the most cognitively advanced ever. The thing is if God could be completely understood, he wouldn’t be God. He wouldn’t be greater than our intelligence, which would mean He wouldn’t truly be who He is. Nothing created could ever fully understand its Creator.

I have had the privilege of growing up with the anomaly of God and my reality. As a child of incredibly strong Christians, I have been involved in ministry my whole life. But my mom has a rare degenerative eye disease that has meant she has been legally blind my whole life as well. You might think that doesn’t make sense – I have a very valid reason to not believe in this God that is considered good – this God who calls Himself a healer. But I beg to differ.

As much as I don’t understand why our family, my childhood and most of my mom’s life has been heavily affected by her version of eyesight – I still believe in God and all He says He is. Just because I haven’t seen the full outworking of His goodness in my own life doesn’t mean He does not exist at all. Neither does it mean that I (or any of my family) am any less in His sight. Life is hard. Life is unfair – but that isn’t God’s fault. It’s our own. Read the first three books of Genesis if you want to argue with me on that point. We all live with the consequences of generations of sin. Does that mean someone is to blame for mom’s blindness – not at all. We just live in a world that is fallen because humanity chose that path.

This world is flawed. But instead of that chasing me away from God and all He is, it compels me to press in to know Him better. As I have done so – under the example of my parents – I have found everything the Bible says about God to be true. Time may still unravel the good story He intends for me and my mom and our family, but while things still don’t make sense, I choose to engage with the elements of God’s character that are eternal and trustworthy.

So, if I were ever to endeavor to make ‘sense’ of God, I would say:

Touch

Jesus told Thomas to touch his scars when He had risen from the dead. I know in my life there have been times when I have doubted God, but Jesus still has that open invitation to us. Whenever we are trying to make sense of the injustices of our lives or the world in general – we are invited to ‘touch’ the scars that were formed by the brutal beating of Jesus. It is written that we are “healed by His scars”. He knows suffering deeper than we will probably ever experience, and He did so for us to have the hope of seeing the end of our own. Jesus’ death was the full-stop to the reign of injustice and pain. But due to the boundaries of time, we’re still busy reading out the sentence. Even in times that seem unbearable, we can rejoice in knowing that there is an end to it all – not in our own death, but in the glorious life God has for us. You may be going through a hard season. Jesus intentionally came to earth so that we can know that He wins in the end and that He empathizes with us in our present suffering.

Smell

A poet in the Bible wrote, “May my prayers be like sweet incense to you.”

In moments that don’t make sense to me personally, one of the greatest ways to shift my focus and see the bigger picture is to choose to worship. Worship isn’t a genre of music or the act of going to a church. It is allowing your soul to be blown away by the immense majesty of God. It’s the only way you can respond when you witness the greatness of His creation and His presence. Going out into nature, being inspired by incredible music, being deeply moved by great artists and orators, reading the Bible, hearing stories of things He has done and choosing to pray and find rest in God’s presence – all of these things cause me to worship God. And all of a sudden my own struggle is dwarfed by the amazing, glorious goodness of God. Don’t get me wrong – this is not some heightened form of escapism. When we acknowledge God in our broken reality, it helps us grow our capacity to handle our struggles and find hope to deal with the hard areas of life.

Hear

Faith is not a noun. It is not a descriptor on a census form. Faith is the active belief that there is an unseen world in which things are operating. Faith is a decision to push past your own interpretation of life and lean into the ancient and eternal bedrock of existence itself. One of the great New Testament writers said, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” In situations that don’t seem to align with God’s nature, the first thing that begins to wane is my faith. But in those moments, a powerful thing to do is to open the Word of God – the Bible – and read it out loud. There is power in hearing the Words that God has spoken uttered once again. I cannot explain why, but every time I have closed the Bible stronger in spirit and determination.

Taste and see

Another thing that the Bible says of God is that we need to “taste and see” that He is good. The original Hebrew is referring to a deeply personal firsthand experience. When things are tough, my hope stems from a deep love for Jesus and the Holy Spirit – it’s the kind of relationship that cannot be fully described. It has to be a firsthand experience, but all I can say is that it has been a crucial factor to me living the way I do. If you would like to find out more – I want to encourage you to click on the link below. As I wrote earlier, don’t let the tensions and struggles of this world chase you away from God – if you choose to rebel against that kind of small thinking and press in to find out who God is for yourself, I believe you will begin to understand the absolute immenseness of God. It means a lifetime of discovery and adventure with the most interesting, relevant and powerful individual that will ever be known.

When faith looks delusional

David Webster

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July 7, 2017

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For reals, the mind is a battlefield. I don’t know if it’s normal, but recently I have been thinking a lot about what I’m thinking about… Thought-life is something that can determine our health mentally, spiritually and even physically. Years of outreach and community work has taught me that it is impossible to help someone change without them being willing to adjust how they think.

The thing is, our thoughts are extremely subtle patterns that take time to be exposed. People cannot see what you are thinking, but over time it will shape how you speak, interact and will be evident through the consequences of your decisions.

The one thing that I have caught myself thinking about is my future and my direction. To be honest, at the moment I am living full to the hilt – there’s a whole range of different things I am involved in. Between work and church I am out every night of the week and work Saturdays. Sundays are a whole day as well.

Am I delusional?

If you looked at my schedule you would probably think I’m crazy. And to be honest, I think that more than I should as well. But why have I chosen to live this way? Why have I chosen the hard hustle and to be involved in church as much as possible?

Simply – I know I’m called to full-time ministry. Now before you switch off, I want to encourage you to take out what I’m passionate about and replace it with your dreams.

I work part-time jobs so that I have enough flexibility to be involved with my local church as much as possible. I’ve had the privilege of being involved in pioneering a new location in my city, helped create and live produce large multimedia productions and have had the honor to lead multiple teams. All of this has been an investment into my calling – my ultimate dream.

But my thoughts have not always lined up with that reality. It is easy for me to become resentful of work and at times church when I’m tired or struggling financially. Having so many friends who I’ve done the journey with who are already in full-time ministry can sometimes tempt me to give in to jealousy. I have to specifically guard myself from thoughts of insignificance – that I somehow am unseen and not appreciated by those I’ve chosen to submit myself to. These thoughts can all lead to stress and borderline depression. The thing is – the more you’re invested in something, the harder it is to not be sensitive in that area.

It is very easy to be offended when you care deeply about something. I’m passionate about the local church – it changed my life and I believe it is the answer to the world. But I find myself in a long season where all I can do is wait and do what I can do to be as involved as possible. I’m in the greatest learning opportunity of life – and if I give authority to my emotions every second of the day, my thoughts can get intensely dark very quickly.

I’m actually just living in faith

Many people think I’m delusional – giving everything I can for seven years without much recognition. And I can feel that sometimes. It’s not easy to shut those opinions out. But at least people are taking notice. To the untrained eye, faith will always look delusional. I might seem crazy, but I know I am called to what I am doing. If someone else were to live my life without that conviction – I would agree that it probably wasn’t the greatest opportunity. But I have the faith that God is doing incredible things in and through me.

Just as people cannot see my thoughts, they won’t see my conviction or relationship with God immediately. But the fact that people are noticing how I am living my faith out in this season is also extremely encouraging. We were made to live big, impactful, adventure-filled lives.

So what are you passionate about? Have you found something that you feel created to do? It will probably drive you to do some crazy things. Many won’t understand and think you’re delusional. But the steel that you find in those moments – that fight that won’t allow you to settle – that’s a very fiery version of faith.

You might not feel like you have the drive to pursue your passions. I wouldn’t be able to lead the life I do without my relationship with Jesus Christ. When you have Him in your life, you are able to get through challenges and storms – and others will notice how you are able to live. When it comes to living the life we are made for, Jesus is the only foundation that will enable us to go the distance and still be healthy. If you would like to find out more about how He can be part of your life, click on the link below.

What pleases God – part 2

David Webster

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July 6, 2017

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I have found that there are two main misconceptions when it comes to this topic:

What we believe pleases God
What we believe displeases Him

What pleases God:

It’s not about showing up to church on a Sunday. It’s not about being ‘nice’ – a version of passive aggression that holds a wafer-thin facade that is transparent to anyone who looks close enough. It’s not about being sensible and serious. It’s not about waking up at ridiculous hours to pray. It’s not about any type of human effort. It’s not about being isolated and left out. It’s not about knowing everything. It’s not about being right.

I understand that from the outside looking in on modern-day Christianity, it may look like pleasing God is exhausting and boring and difficult. But there is something that even Christians need to be reminded of:

God made mankind. And when He saw Adam and Eve, He said they were good. Our very existence pleases God – before we have done, said or thought anything.

What displeases God:

Just as I have said that our very existence pleases God, anything that detracts from our original intended existence will displease Him. Sin is the overall umbrella for the many different ways we have been able to disappoint and grieve our Creator. Whatever harms us – His creations (body, soul and spirit) – is what displeases God.

But religion has set in some terrible boundaries that have been completely miscommunicated God’s intentions. Having fun in church and with friends does not displease God. Neither does wealth or prosperity displease Him. Both of those things are a clear part of His own nature. God is not disappointed when you rest – He loves it! He is not angry when you stand up for yourself. He does not condemn you when some people don’t like you. Your mistakes are not punished, but welcomed as lessons by God. He is pleased when you are honest with yourself and those around you. He is not hurt by you grappling with the issues of your belief in Him. He is not disconcerted by you in any way. He will only ever hate whatever kills the essence and out working of who you are.

He made us to be happy – to be fulfilled and full of His glory. But it is our decision whether we will live the way He intended – a way that will edify and bless us – or live our own way – which is blind and destructive in the long run.

If you would like to find out more about the life God originally intended for you to have – click on the link below. The journey back into the will of God is not always easy, but definitely rewarding. If you choose Him it may look like you have to change a lot of your lifestyle, but He gives you the desire to live better and stronger and enables you all along the way!

David Webster

Stop juggling the deficit

You have to be completely vulnerable

God gives us impossible dreams

God is more than capable

God’s got you

Openness

Community

Gratitude

Transformation

I’m tired

It’s too ‘out of the way’

It’s not my scene

I don’t have time

God doesn’t ‘let things happen’

God is a Father, not a manager

Touch

Smell

Hear

Taste and see

Am I delusional?

I’m actually just living in faith

What pleases God:

What displeases God:

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