Impressive people

I have of late had the great privilege of being in the company of truly impressive people. I had the joy of being again at the recent international forum of New Frontiers where men who oversee emerging apostolic spheres across the world. Some of these men are truly affecting nations now with the gospel through planting and growing significant local churches and impressive acts of mercy into the wider society around. At the UK team leaders meeting many of those present are seeing significant breakthrough for God. Often the people seeing the greatest impact are doing so at enormous hidden personal cost; against a backdrop of poverty, personal danger, demanding and exhausting personal circumstances. I am reminded of Hebrews comments on some of the heroes of the faith. The world was not worthy of them.
I have reflected also that it is often not only the profiled that are impressive. It is the faithful and the full of faith. The people who cling onto God and what he has said against insurmountable obstacles. These people can slip in and out almost unnoticed from local church week by week. God sees, God notices and God is aware of the cost many people pay in serving him.
I am blessed to be surrounded by impressive people of God locally and wider afield. It is a truly inspiring thing to be around great people. If I can become half of what I see in these giants I will be a happy man!