Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSAWAKE O ZION!nuchs because they were born that way; others were madethat way by men; and others have renounced marriage becauseof the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept thisshould accept it.’ Unlike the common attitude of today, theNew Testament seemed to hold celibacy in high regard. Infact, Paul had said, in effect: ‘To marry is good. Not to marryis better’ (paraphrase of 1 Cor 7:38).Janie from the Farm was now a leader amongst the sisters.She’d considered celibacy before but it was unheard of in thecircles she’d moved in. After joining us, she soon found a deepfulfillment in community, took hold of the celibate gift, andsought to live ‘in undivided devotion to the Lord’ (1 Cor 7:35).Piers was another enthusiastic advocate of this path:To me celibacy was the highest way according to Scripture, andI didn’t want second best! I reckoned I could handle it temperamentally,so I laid it before God. Shortly after that I was struckby an article in New Wine magazine about being single for theLord and I knew God was telling me to ‘Go for it!’Increasing numbers among us were finding the celibate giftand making lifelong vows. Piers became a celibate leader atSheepfold — and a useful contrast to Pete and Carol withtheir growing family! Piers wrote: ‘I didn’t want to get boggeddown in the cares of life. I never regretted it or hankeredafter marriage. I just wanted to follow Jesus and travel aslight as possible! Time is short and there is so much to do.Celibacy is priceless! It’s pure! I love the freedom it brings.’In prophetic wisdom we saw celibacy as a precious gemcovered over by a cloth of fears, reserves, and general disap-178