A lot of people want to define churches as being liberal or conservative, fundamentalist or not. I am thankful to be a part of a church at Woods Chapel whose leaders are more interested in seeing lives transformed for the sake of Christ and His glory, rather than trying to define a "Christian" world view that makes practical sense in our world. Most of what Jesus did, after all, didn't make sense to his followers.
Back to the soup .....if it's not too hot or not too cold then it's, well, lukewarm. Francis Chan has some pretty strong words to us who are "lukewarm" Christians --check out "Crazy Love." p65-81. This chapter really shook me up because I realized that there is nothing lukewarm about following Jesus and loving Him with ALL our heart, mind, soul, or strength. What does this even look like?
So the mantra in our society is live a "balanced" life ---"everything in moderation" --some of us believe this came right out of the scriptures. As someone with an artistic temperament, I have no problem discarding this philosophy. Us artistic types, after all, are a little manic in most things we do. But we only have to look as far as Jesus himself to discover that balance was not a principle that governed His life. Look at the story of the samaritan woman in John 4 , the disciples were concerned with Jesus getting something to eat, Jesus was concerned with this ladies life being transformed. Look at the feeding of the 5 thousand in Luke 9 --"send them away" say the disciples, "we are tired and there is nothing to eat." Following Jesus does not require balance, but obedience.
Look, there are hard things in our life and some of you might be experiencing the pain right now. Some of you have been in it for awhile. Don't abandon the faith, celebrate the chaos, check out what James or Peter or Paul have to say about suffering (James 1:2-8 or 1 Peter 4:12-13 or Romans 5:3-5). Perhaps God is using this time to draw you back to Him. And remember John 15:5 --we are the branches shaking in the wind, but as long as we are attached to the vine...the fruit will come. And I don't know about you, but I want to bear great fruit for Him......, but it only happens in a season ---there is winter out there and it is His season too. Check out Nichole Nordeman's song about this "Every Season" --great song.
Okay, so tomorrow we talk more about music....
the levite.
3 comments:
great reminders, thanks!
You're an absolute joy to watch on Sunday mornings. You're so THERE and into what you do. My daughter commented one morning that she's concerned you're going to have a heart attack when you're directing because you get so excited.
Tonia
Re: What does this even look like? Chan presents a challenge to Christians. Thanks for mentioning his book. Good read...great message delivered with the passion we all should have as followers...
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