Elaine Macdonald is a member of The Bridge Church, Cardiff. Influenced by her experience as a UCCF staff worker in the early 1990s, she is passionate about one-to-one discipleship. She is currently a member of the Evangelical Movement of Wales management board.
1. How did you become a Christian?
By my mid-twenties, I’d arrived at a place of believing in a creator, sustainer God, but had no sense of a personal, redeemer God. My upbringing had given me a clear sense of right and wrong, and I thought that if I lived as good a life as I could, all would be well in the end. I became a high school teacher, and a colleague who had become a good friend invited me to church (there was something different about her, and how she handled life). Someone preached on Psalm 139, God’s Spirit revealed to me who He was, and who I was. I was amazed that such a God would be interested in such a one as me. He became my rescuer, and His right hand holds me fast.
2. What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
This is going to be tough. There will be times when you will wonder what God is up to, but He will be up to something and He will be up to something good. You will be frustrated with others, you will be more frustrated with yourself and sometimes question whether you’ve grown at all. Run the race He has set before you. Your race will look different to others, but ask them to help you persevere and to remind you to fix your eyes on Jesus. Be that for them too. It will be worth it. There will come a day when we will see Him face to face.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
It’s often a struggle, especially when God calls me to persevere in prayer, when there appears to be little change. In those times, praying with others is a real help, more than a help – a necessity!
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
The Valley of Vision has been a spur to me in my devotional life, I return to it often. Tozer has been an influence, Knowledge of the Holy was a significant read. More recently, a short book, Take Care of Yourself by Pablo Martinez has been of real practical help. Although written for those in Christian ministry, it deserves a much wider reach – a good book to read and pass on.
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
When I became a Christian, the spiritual reality of being adopted into God’s family very quickly became a lived experience. The Lord knew I needed help, and provided me with not just one but four mothers in the faith! I had little idea at the time what a privilege that was. They are now with Him in glory, I miss them.
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
It is no wonder that so many books have been written, and will continue to be written, on identity. More than anything else, whatever time or wherever the place, we need to know who we are in Him. The challenge is to live out “who we are”, as we face the issues of our day.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
Encouragement: seeing “one body, many parts” in action. Serving together and learning together, growing together in the process. It is God’s good design for us. Discouragement: when we get in the way, when the foot wants to be a hand, when the ear wants to be an eye.
8. What makes you laugh?
The Eric and Ernie sketch with guest André Previn. If you haven’t watched it, go find it.
If you asked me: “who makes me smile?”, then it would be my two-year-old granddaughter.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
Be Philippians 2 people. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Shine like stars as you hold firmly to the word of life.
10. Which Biblical person (other than Jesus) do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
Simeon, he was a man who knew how to wait well! And what a reaction when the waiting was over.
