Review of Keynote Address

After the trauma of the COVID pandemic, many of us came to the Churches that Change Communities conference with weary hearts; in need of refreshment, renewal and recommissioning power.

During the first session of the day the tone was set as Natalie Williams shared - so vulnerably - a message that cut powerfully through those layers of weariness and exhaustion (watch her keynote below).

Eight months ago, God had planted some simple truths into Natalie's heart, that were to bring powerful breakthrough.

When Natalie shared of her walk with God and her struggle to believe His promises over her life, there was a sobering and yet comforting moment as many recognised their own story in hers.

Five years ago, Natalie had received a prophetic word over her life:

God has called you to proclaim that change is possible - your work is supposed to declare this. He is a God who brings change to even the most hopeless situations.

Her response was raw and honest as she admitted:

I can't do that, God… because I don't think I believe it.

One long wrestle

Around that time, Natalie's life was a barren season of one thing after another bringing pain and disappointment. Each moment of trying to reach out to God felt like an exhausting wrestling session with the Almighty:

I thought the word rejection was more powerful in my life than the name of Jesus.

Natalie's message came alive with her candour because of the power of bringing a lie into the light. As we listened, we were able to recognise our own wrong thinking and step into freedom.

Thank you Natalie, for showing us that, when we are honest with our pain, when we admit our unbelief, we can allow that desperation to turn into righteous indignation that causes us to turn to Him as we too cry out:

I know the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in my life, so where is it?! My life isn't supposed to be characterised by wounds, but by Jesus and his mercy!

Change is possible

These have been years of both wrestling in faith, and receiving the tender mercy of God, as those things that previously had the power to floor her are being robbed of their power.

In their place is the name of Jesus, exalted to its rightful place as more powerful than any other.

Those who know Natalie know that the mercy of God is not a new subject for her to be shouting about, but her experience of the transformative power of the mercy of God in her own life has inspired fresh faith in her (and now us!) that change is possible.

Natalie implored us to root ourselves in truth:

God is merciful, not mean!
He is not tight-fisted or hard-hearted!
He is compassionate and merciful, and he loves to pour it out.

God delights to transform people, situations and projects by His mercy, and he takes great pleasure in demonstrating this mercy to us.

This all means that change is truly possible; both for us, and for those we are supporting.

Natalie finished by reassuring us that this isn't a 'do more, try harder’ pep-talk - it's the opposite! She invited us to come and gaze upon his mercy, to receive it afresh so that it can begin to flow out of us again.

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103)

Review written by Isabella Hope

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