I want you...

I wish I could understand all that has happened in my life the last two weeks.  Between trying to figure out this pilgrimage in January, and watching life happen whether I want it to or not, I believe myself unable to put organized thought around its meaning.  Either way, it usually isn’t until weeks or months later that things begin to make sense. 

Just like every “season”, there are themes or lessons that stand out in all of the disorganization, the distractions, and the excitement and adventure.  This week’s, or season’s, lesson:  I want you.

If you are like me, you find yourself desiring to understand how to live life in accordance with the gospel.  Trying to be intentional with time spent with others and wrestling with so many questions.  How am I called to live?  In what ways is my life reflecting God?  How do I challenge other people to better know Jesus?  Ironically, I usually forget to seek Jesus on these issues, and in my pursuit of others, I often find Jesus pursuing me. 

Yes, it is soooo important to pursue lasting relationships with others, both like-minded Christians and those who don’t share your spiritual convictions.  That was Jesus’ ministry, but he also found significant time to spend with the Father.  I often find myself forgetting to pursue Christ, and fill it pursuing others.  That’s where He usually speaks, “I want you,” in some form or fashion.  Side-note: I do need to give credit to Chris for this beautiful reminder. 

A good friend shared a message from John 15:1-8 last night, such wisdom.  To be useful servants of Christ we need to remain connected to the core of our faith, Jesus.  Can we be Jesus, without be connected to him?  Verse five is very clear, “I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  If our goal is to live the gospel and bear fruit, it is impossible to do it without first pursuing Jesus.  We cannot do anything for Christ, without Christ.  Not only must He be our source, He should be our focus. 

So in the middle of the busyness, disorganization, distractions, adventure, and even the pure intentions… remember this, Jesus wants us to pursue intentional time with others, but don’t forget His very important message, “I want you.”

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Gun Collectors

I listened to an incredible lecture by Pastor Mark Driscoll about the Spirit-filled ministry of Jesus.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Pastor Mark, I offer a word of caution.  He cuts right to the chase, and goes straight for your heart.  Do not plan on listening to a sermon or lecture by him and anticipate leaving with a warm fuzzy feeling inside.  He has an incredible ability to make people truly examine their heart, their actions, their faith, and how too often we are missing the big picture all together. 

In this message Pastor Mark makes a very convincing, and convicting, analogy about our faith and gun collectors.  Gun collectors spend a lot of time, polishing, cleaning, and protecting their guns.  They buy safes and vaults for them, because these guns are important to them.  They do everything required to maintain their beautiful weapons, including not using them for their intended use…  shooting. 

How are we any different?  When looking at our spiritual lives we do the same thing.  We polish our beliefs.  We do the things that make us look good, and are vital to a life of a Christ follower.  Yet often times we lose sight of what we were intended for.  We, like guns, were created to be powerful, life-changing, and useful tools that can give and take life.  We were not created to brush up on our theology, read the Bible, join a church, invest in a community group, pursue Truth, and then be put in a safe to be kept from harm.  No, we are intended to be cleaned, polished, and prepared for our intended use, to be powerful and useful tools that can alter history, change lives, pursue the lost, and love without reserve.  

Friends, let us not be the "gun collectors" of faith... may we be used as God intended us to be used, in powerful and incredible ways. 

If you have an hour, I highly encourage you to listen to Pastor Mark’s lecture.  You can find it, and others like it at The Resurgence website, or you can go directly to the page by clicking here. 

Grace and love to you, friends. 

John 15:16,17

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.  Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  This is my command: Love each other.

Radical

I just finished reading the book, Radical, by David Platt.  In my digestion process I usually choose to write about things…  plus, I am still out of regular work, so this is what I do… journal. 

Did I enjoy the book?  I did, it was very thought provoking and convicting; at times it was also affirming of certain things that have been on my heart.  Yet, just like everything we read or see on television, I think we need to enter with the mindset that these are human thoughts and should be thoughtfully considered and even challenged.  Blind agreement can be dangerous, if we read something that parallels much of our own beliefs, we can often fall into believing the whole thing. 

I’m not writing this to say that I disagree with David in his book, yet there is much that I am still processing.  In fact, I would certainly recommend others to read it and would welcome their thoughts on this book and its message.  There are great arguments found in David's writing, and I think God has used this book to inspire many towards a radical pursuit of Jesus.  But at the end I am unsure if David missed something, I’m not even sure I can explain what it may be. 

Absolutely, I believe we are all called to a radical obedience of the gospel.  However, this may be very different for a lot of people, depending on their season of life.  Not only did Jesus call his disciples to give up everything and follow him, but I also believe that he entrusted others with large amounts of material possessions for His glory (just a few that come to mind are King David, Joseph, and Daniel).  God can use us where we are at, I fully believe this.  But, we must be soooo careful that we do not confuse where we are currently, with God’s will for us.  He has given us free will, that doesn’t mean that everything we decide, and do, is a part of God’s greater plan for us.  Only when we are walking in step with Jesus, will we more consistently make those decisions and choices that God wises for us as a part of His perfect plan (the whole draw near to God, and He will draw near to you idea). 

This is where my little disconnect with the book comes in.  I believe David, maybe unknowingly, has painted a picture that God has all called us all to go abroad, as soon as possible.  Yet it seems right though, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 26:19).  Honestly, I do not believe David intended for us to feel this, but I found it continually resonating in my mind the more I read.  Ironic enough, this is largely how I desire to live; but for myself, and for others who read this book, we felt that in order to be a committed Christ follower we must go abroad, and soon. 

I do believe God is calling many of us to give up everything and go.  Yet, I do not believe that God wills us to go with out preparation by studying the Bible, learning the language, or understanding the culture.  Nor do I believe he will ask many of us to walk away from all other responsibilities in our life. He has entrusted many of us with these responsibilities (families, finances, relationships, etc...) to be used for his Glory.  However, I do believe He can call any of us, at any moment, prepared or not, responsibilities or a lack there of, to go right now...  but I do not think this is how God calls everyone.  In fact, by Jesus’ example we see that he spent three years discipling twelve men before deploying them.  He prepared them, before sending them out.  If I can be certain of one thing it is this, God is preparing us, and He certainly desires to send us. 

It is quite likely that your time will come when you can, and should, give it all away.  I’ve been inspired by family friends who, after both of their kids left for college, sold everything to go work full time at an orphanage in Guatemala.  Still, before their kids went off to school they would make annual trips to this orphanage and give of themselves generously, as a family.  They raised their family in such a way as to prepare them to be deployed. 

So this is my take, where do we begin our radical obedience to God?  By getting on our knees, studying the Bible, and pursuing the heart of God with other Christ followers.  There is no cookie cutter way in which God works…  but He is working, and he will do crazy things in your life, and mine, when we radically pursue Him. 

II Corinthians 4:5
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.