Under Promise, Over Deliver!
In this month’s interview, Simon Davidson, reflects on the highs and lows of walking with young people in Hattersley, Manchester over the last seven years.
Simon, what advice would you give anybody contemplating inner city mission?
SD: Have somebody local to be really accountable to, that you meet with regularly enough – somebody who will ask hard questions – and give them permission to speak into your life.
Give yourself permission to take timeout when you need it and to pace yourself.
Know what a win looks like. If you think a win looks like loads of kids getting saved, then it’s going to be disappointing at times. As a team, when we really reflected on what a win looked like, we agreed it was all about the verse in the bible – to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. It’s all about doing the right thing for the right reasons, walking closely with God and not being so bothered about the results.
A lot of people came in response to a call from a stage or a book, to make disciples and brought with them big dreams. But to avoid disappointment and burn out, we needed be clear on what a win looked like. Of course we all long for more disciples, and yes, there will be exciting stuff. But when there’s hard stuff – we need to be clear that a win is our being obedient to God and our walk with him is the most important part – then ‘the win’ gets you through tough decisions.
So how do you get through the tough times?
SD: On a personal and individual level, it’s about looking to move on and progress with Him. Just doing Eden alone, you can plateau or go backwards with God if you are not careful. If you don’t get intimate with Him, stay close to Him and keep growing you can’t keep going. Keeps us fired up and motivated for the long term, keeps it sustainable and real.
What word of encouragement would you give somebody thinking of relocating to join an Eden team?
SD: Don’t for a minute think you have to be a superhero, just be obedient to God. Ask yourself, where does the power and talent for anything come from? A lot of the Old Testament characters used by God and even Jesus’ disciples weren’t super skilled people, they were just willing to be used by God. So when Eden talks about being extra ordinary, it’s not that you are some ordinary person with hidden super powers. In God and through obedience we are equipped.
And a few questions about you, just for fun…
When are you happiest? When I am hanging out with my wife – us being us together
What is your earliest memory? Being naughty at the dinner table and knocking something off the table and being told off
Which living person do you most admire, and why? A bit of a Bono fan – admire the way he uses his powers of influence for good
What is the trait you most admire in others? Honesty
What is your favourite food? Homemade pizza
What would be your fancy dress costume of choice? Batman
Cat or dog? Cat
Do you have a personal moto? Under promise and over deliver
What do you owe your parents? Massively stable upbringing
What does love feel like? So many things. Security, contentment, joy, peace
Fave childhood TV? A-team
Favourite film? Anything Bond
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Bono, Bob Marley
What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Perhaps being more obedient to God
How would you like to be remembered? Somebody with integrity
What is the most important lesson life has taught you so far? To be obedient to God no matter what – actually, going back to that first question, that’s when I’ve been happiest.
Thanks Simon!
Find out more about the Hattersley team on their team page.
