So, I've really been thinking about the purpose of the church...what we are here to accomplish and how we do it. I think we, as in the North American church, have gotten very good at programs. We've gotten very good at putting on a show. We've gotten very good at counting numbers. But what I'm finding is that we don't do a great job of discipleship. I was recently captivated, like many others around the church, by the Willow Creek "Reveal" study, where they found (they studied both Willow Creek attenders, as well as attenders from 6 other churches) that numbers don't tell the whole story of spiritual health.
This topic has always been one to peak my interest because at heart many of my gifts are in discipleship, mentoring, small groups, etc. I love to see people, especially teenagers, "get it" and start to "live it". It is my passion that each one of the students who walks through the door of our ministry would have the opportunity to grow placed in front of them. I would hate it if all they saw was a program. Don't get me wrong, we have some great teachers at our church. Our student ministry team is really talented and gifted when it comes to teaching and preaching. But I don't think the messages we give always have the impact we are looking for by giving them. Sometimes students do actually listen to what we say, but if we don't follow those messages up with a conversation where they can really think and act on what was heard, the impact will not be very far reaching.
I believe that we, as student ministry staff and volunteers need to focus our attention on the individual journey of each student. The problem is, and you might agree, that there are only 24 hours in a day and we sleep for at least 8 of those (or at least I do), so how are we supposed to focus on each student when there are so many of them? I am convinced that we are not the only ones who have the ability to do this. I believe that if we focus on a few key students and train them to have these same intentional conversations with their friends, the impact will be much farther reaching. As Mike Breaux so nicely put it, we are looking for a "ripple effect". But it starts with one. It starts with pouring our lives into students in a way that leaves them asking the important questions, challenges them to seek after God, and gives them the resources and instruction to reach their friends. I believe then, and only then, will our ministry gain meaning and purpose in this world and beyond.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
One Amazing Evening
Last night my high school girls small group resumed our monthly trip down to Having the Courage to Change. What is it, you might ask? Having the Courage to Change is an arm of City Ministries here in Cincinnati. It is a place of refuge for women who are either just getting out of jail or who are looking for a way to turn an addiction around. It is a faith based organization where the women are there to confront their lives, the choices they have made and gain hope in a future.
What we have found in partnering with this organization is that the women who go through this program are truly amazing. My heart is blessed every time I walk through the door of New Beginnings (which is what they call the first residence of the program). My faith is strengthened as I hear story upon story of God redeeming lives and women walking in new faith. And tears are brought to my eyes as I watch my girls, who come from great affluence and opportunity, have conversations with women from different backgrounds, learning and growing together.
Last night was special. We ate a meal together, which by the way, was amazing (Ms. Elizabeth sure can cook)!! And then we carved pumpkins! It was so fun to see our girls teaming up with theirs to make the best pumpkin creation. What was even more fun was to hear some of the women from the ministry talk about how they had never done that before!! When I heard someone say it, I thought 'you must be kidding?' Pumpkin carving was something I have done since childhood. In fact, I can't remember a Halloween without pumpkin carving. Yet, this was a first for a few of these women. What a blessing it was to be there for that!
I don't have too much more to say about the evening. But I will say this...when we step out of our comfort zones, we end up finding so much substance that can grow us. I know for some of our girls, this was a big step out of their "zone". But I also know that their hearts grew last night. And they were excited. And the first thing they asked was, "when are we going back?" You see, when we connect with people on a heart level, and love each other like Jesus, we find that the walls that society puts up between us are easily knocked down.
What we have found in partnering with this organization is that the women who go through this program are truly amazing. My heart is blessed every time I walk through the door of New Beginnings (which is what they call the first residence of the program). My faith is strengthened as I hear story upon story of God redeeming lives and women walking in new faith. And tears are brought to my eyes as I watch my girls, who come from great affluence and opportunity, have conversations with women from different backgrounds, learning and growing together.
Last night was special. We ate a meal together, which by the way, was amazing (Ms. Elizabeth sure can cook)!! And then we carved pumpkins! It was so fun to see our girls teaming up with theirs to make the best pumpkin creation. What was even more fun was to hear some of the women from the ministry talk about how they had never done that before!! When I heard someone say it, I thought 'you must be kidding?' Pumpkin carving was something I have done since childhood. In fact, I can't remember a Halloween without pumpkin carving. Yet, this was a first for a few of these women. What a blessing it was to be there for that!
I don't have too much more to say about the evening. But I will say this...when we step out of our comfort zones, we end up finding so much substance that can grow us. I know for some of our girls, this was a big step out of their "zone". But I also know that their hearts grew last night. And they were excited. And the first thing they asked was, "when are we going back?" You see, when we connect with people on a heart level, and love each other like Jesus, we find that the walls that society puts up between us are easily knocked down.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Go at it Alone
"Go at it alone!" I've said it many times as a soccer coach. It's not an ideal situation, but it occurs when one of your players finds herself heading toward goal, one or more defenders in the way of pure glory. Teammates are behind, pulling up the rear, but nobody is a better option than just putting your head down and going to goal alone. This is where it gets interesting. If she's a good player, she might beat one, maybe two defenders as she heads toward the goal, but going it alone is one of the more difficult things you can be asked to do as a soccer player. It is a team sport, after all, and there are 10 other players on the field for a reason. Sometimes, though, you find yourself in a situation where you don't have a choice. And you do all you can to try to make it work. But more often than not, you get mugged by a few defenders and find yourself stripped of the ball and flat on your face.
I was at our district game the other night when I heard our assistant coach yell just that at one of our players. Now, mind you, she is one of the best players in the state of Ohio, and if anyone can make it alone, she would be the player you'd want to try. But as the rain was pouring down, after beating one player, she was tossed to the ground by another. She slid about 10 yards like a hovercraft before coming to a stop...soaked from head to toe...her pride certainly damaged in the fall.
I've been working in youth ministry for long enough to know this...going at it alone always leaves you face down on the ground, exhausted, and often times burnt out. But, as youth pastors, we are often found trying to do ministry alone. Why? Some of it is our own fault...we fail to cast vision. We fail to share need. We think we are super human and can handle it on our own. After all, God did call us to save this generation, right? We can certaily oblige by planning events, leading a band for kickin worship, preparing 2-3 messages/small group lessons a week, spending time with students, going to sporting events, plays and band concerts, making sure the youth aren't disrupting the rest of the congregation, planning camps and mission trips, and if we have some spare time ministering to parents to keep them from flipping out about their kids behavior.
And some of it is forced upon us. I mean, really, what adult wants to hang out with junior high kids and their hormones? Most of the time people are more than happy to tell a youth minister what needs to be done, but less than willing to help them do it. And so it just seems easier to go at it alone than beg folks to go at it with you.
Here's what I'm learning, though. God didn't design us to go at it alone. He designed us for relationship. He designed us for community. And this extends to youth ministry. Our students need more than an over programmed youth night where they race to drink a gallon of milk (which, by the way, cannot be done in under an hour) or play table hockey until their fingers fall off. Our students are crying out for relationships that matter. They are crying out for conversations that dig deep. They are in need of someone to walk alongside of them as they journey, pray with them as they hurt, celebrate with them as they win, and love them when they fail.
But we, as youth leaders, are also in need of community, maybe even more-so. It doesn't matter how well meaning or gifted we are. If we don't have a group of adults to minister along side of us, the weight of the adolescent hearts we are trying to reach will become too big of a burden for us to carry. We will so quickly fall back on our ministry training of creating programs to keep everyone happy...but very few will be growing, maturing, and multiplying in their faith. Even Jesus didn't do the work of ministry alone. He had friends, brothers and sisters, to walk with Him. They challenged each other, prayed with each other, and shared the burden of the many tasks associated with loving and caring for others. And in the end, ministry multiplied and more hearts were reached. More people grew and became ministers themselves. And the cycle continued.
My vision, or rather what I believe to be God's vision for His kids...is that each one of them would have someone to walk with. That each one of them would have a place to struggle with the intersection of the truth of God and the reality of their everyday lives. That each one of them would be able to let their guard down with someone who cares and for that moment be real. But for that to happen, none of us can afford to go at it alone. We need each other. We need to pray together. We need to challenge each other and listen to each other. We need to celebrate together and cry together. We need to get real with each other if we want to see our students get real with us.
So my prayer tonight is that God would raise up a community of folks who love students. A community of folks who are willing to lay it all on the line to see a group of teenagers begin to see God. A community of folks willing to be real with each other as we become real with students...and help them to change the world. Will you pray with me?
I was at our district game the other night when I heard our assistant coach yell just that at one of our players. Now, mind you, she is one of the best players in the state of Ohio, and if anyone can make it alone, she would be the player you'd want to try. But as the rain was pouring down, after beating one player, she was tossed to the ground by another. She slid about 10 yards like a hovercraft before coming to a stop...soaked from head to toe...her pride certainly damaged in the fall.
I've been working in youth ministry for long enough to know this...going at it alone always leaves you face down on the ground, exhausted, and often times burnt out. But, as youth pastors, we are often found trying to do ministry alone. Why? Some of it is our own fault...we fail to cast vision. We fail to share need. We think we are super human and can handle it on our own. After all, God did call us to save this generation, right? We can certaily oblige by planning events, leading a band for kickin worship, preparing 2-3 messages/small group lessons a week, spending time with students, going to sporting events, plays and band concerts, making sure the youth aren't disrupting the rest of the congregation, planning camps and mission trips, and if we have some spare time ministering to parents to keep them from flipping out about their kids behavior.
And some of it is forced upon us. I mean, really, what adult wants to hang out with junior high kids and their hormones? Most of the time people are more than happy to tell a youth minister what needs to be done, but less than willing to help them do it. And so it just seems easier to go at it alone than beg folks to go at it with you.
Here's what I'm learning, though. God didn't design us to go at it alone. He designed us for relationship. He designed us for community. And this extends to youth ministry. Our students need more than an over programmed youth night where they race to drink a gallon of milk (which, by the way, cannot be done in under an hour) or play table hockey until their fingers fall off. Our students are crying out for relationships that matter. They are crying out for conversations that dig deep. They are in need of someone to walk alongside of them as they journey, pray with them as they hurt, celebrate with them as they win, and love them when they fail.
But we, as youth leaders, are also in need of community, maybe even more-so. It doesn't matter how well meaning or gifted we are. If we don't have a group of adults to minister along side of us, the weight of the adolescent hearts we are trying to reach will become too big of a burden for us to carry. We will so quickly fall back on our ministry training of creating programs to keep everyone happy...but very few will be growing, maturing, and multiplying in their faith. Even Jesus didn't do the work of ministry alone. He had friends, brothers and sisters, to walk with Him. They challenged each other, prayed with each other, and shared the burden of the many tasks associated with loving and caring for others. And in the end, ministry multiplied and more hearts were reached. More people grew and became ministers themselves. And the cycle continued.
My vision, or rather what I believe to be God's vision for His kids...is that each one of them would have someone to walk with. That each one of them would have a place to struggle with the intersection of the truth of God and the reality of their everyday lives. That each one of them would be able to let their guard down with someone who cares and for that moment be real. But for that to happen, none of us can afford to go at it alone. We need each other. We need to pray together. We need to challenge each other and listen to each other. We need to celebrate together and cry together. We need to get real with each other if we want to see our students get real with us.
So my prayer tonight is that God would raise up a community of folks who love students. A community of folks who are willing to lay it all on the line to see a group of teenagers begin to see God. A community of folks willing to be real with each other as we become real with students...and help them to change the world. Will you pray with me?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Amazing Race (Part 2)
Ok, back to the race! Yesterday I shared one of the things I learned about our life journey from reading Hebrews 12:1-2. Today I want to share another piece of this puzzle with you. The second question I always ask when I'm about to run a race is, "what is the terrain?" I need to know if the race is on the road or on grass. I need to know if the race is downhill or uphill or both (and how much of both). Also, I like to know the race course before I set out...only because I don't want to take a detour and end up in the wrong place. All of these things help me in my preparation to run. The answers also help me gague how much energy I need for each part of the race...and make sure I stay on the course.
This is where Hebrews is so helpful to us. The writer says, "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and run with endurance." The terrain of this life journey is tricky. There are detours all around us that we could take. There are different paths calling out to us and begging for our attention. And it’s hard to continue straight, especially when we start running up hill or through a tough spot in the race.
We can’t run very well with stuff weighing us down. And we can’t run when we keep getting distracted by sin. So I have a question for you today...what is holding you back from running with endurance? Is there a sin in your life that is distracting you? Are you finding yourself spending more time on detours than on the race itself? Whatever it is...if you want to run this race and be successful, you’ve got to toss it! Get it as far away from you as possible. Find someone on this journey with you to hold you accountable for stopping it.
Don’t get distracted. The road is not easy as it is, and if you have stuff weighing you down....it get’s even tougher to finish well and live out the purpose that God already has planned for you. It's a long race, and it's a tough race...but tomorrow we'll talk about the destination and you'll see that guarding your heart and mind against the sin and distractions that so easily entangle us is totally worth the finish line!
This is where Hebrews is so helpful to us. The writer says, "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and run with endurance." The terrain of this life journey is tricky. There are detours all around us that we could take. There are different paths calling out to us and begging for our attention. And it’s hard to continue straight, especially when we start running up hill or through a tough spot in the race.
We can’t run very well with stuff weighing us down. And we can’t run when we keep getting distracted by sin. So I have a question for you today...what is holding you back from running with endurance? Is there a sin in your life that is distracting you? Are you finding yourself spending more time on detours than on the race itself? Whatever it is...if you want to run this race and be successful, you’ve got to toss it! Get it as far away from you as possible. Find someone on this journey with you to hold you accountable for stopping it.
Don’t get distracted. The road is not easy as it is, and if you have stuff weighing you down....it get’s even tougher to finish well and live out the purpose that God already has planned for you. It's a long race, and it's a tough race...but tomorrow we'll talk about the destination and you'll see that guarding your heart and mind against the sin and distractions that so easily entangle us is totally worth the finish line!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Amazing Race
Our student ministry just started a new message series entitled "Reality Check". We're looking at different reality TV shows, comparing their message with the message we get from Scripture and redefining reality based on God's truth. I love this series because it is so applicable to our lives and consitent with the culture in which we live.
Last week we looked at the show "Amazing Race". As I thought on the topic, I couldn't help but wonder what we are running so hard after. I'm what you might call a "gamer". I'm always looking for some way to be competitive. 10 years ago, as my soccer career ended, I took up running. It was just the outlet I needed to clear my head, get some exercise and renew myself. What I discovered, though, was that there was this community of people all over the world who loved to run...and not only that, they loved to RACE!!! I love to race. Even as a little kid on the way to the bus stop all someone had to ask was "race ya?" and I'd take off running for the corner. And racing is still a huge part of who I am. Every year I run at least 10 road races, varying in distances from a 5K to a half marathon. (I'm still too chicken to train for the full marathon, even though I tell most people that I just don't have the time necessary.)
One thing I do know about myself, though is that before I run a race there are a few questions that I need answered. First, how far is it? Second, What is the terrain? Third, What is the destination? I was pondering these questions about the race of life as I sat reading Hebrews 12:1-2. What I found is that this passage answers all of these questions. First, Paul says that we must run the race set before us with endurance. Although he doesn't come right out and say how far the race is, the word endurance tells me a lot. Being an avid runner, I know the difference between an endurance race and a sprint. And many times I've found myself taking off in the beginning of one of these endurance races like it was only 400 yards long and practically passing out midway through the race because I had exhausted myself.
Our Spiritual journeys are the same way. If we take off like it's a sprint, we will find ourselves totally exhausted, unable to finish well. We need to slow ourselves down! We need to take time to rest. We need to spend time with the LORD, letting Him pour into us. If we don't, and I know this from first hand experience, we'll get worn out. We'll get depressed. God becomes harder and harder to see and we wonder why we are running at all. In an endurance race, you don't sprint, and you take water stops along the way...just to refuel and recharge. Our lives need these moments of refueling as well. So, slow down...take your time...life with Christ is a marathon, not a sprint...
Tomorrow I'll talk about the other things I learned about our race while looking at Hebrews...
Last week we looked at the show "Amazing Race". As I thought on the topic, I couldn't help but wonder what we are running so hard after. I'm what you might call a "gamer". I'm always looking for some way to be competitive. 10 years ago, as my soccer career ended, I took up running. It was just the outlet I needed to clear my head, get some exercise and renew myself. What I discovered, though, was that there was this community of people all over the world who loved to run...and not only that, they loved to RACE!!! I love to race. Even as a little kid on the way to the bus stop all someone had to ask was "race ya?" and I'd take off running for the corner. And racing is still a huge part of who I am. Every year I run at least 10 road races, varying in distances from a 5K to a half marathon. (I'm still too chicken to train for the full marathon, even though I tell most people that I just don't have the time necessary.)
One thing I do know about myself, though is that before I run a race there are a few questions that I need answered. First, how far is it? Second, What is the terrain? Third, What is the destination? I was pondering these questions about the race of life as I sat reading Hebrews 12:1-2. What I found is that this passage answers all of these questions. First, Paul says that we must run the race set before us with endurance. Although he doesn't come right out and say how far the race is, the word endurance tells me a lot. Being an avid runner, I know the difference between an endurance race and a sprint. And many times I've found myself taking off in the beginning of one of these endurance races like it was only 400 yards long and practically passing out midway through the race because I had exhausted myself.
Our Spiritual journeys are the same way. If we take off like it's a sprint, we will find ourselves totally exhausted, unable to finish well. We need to slow ourselves down! We need to take time to rest. We need to spend time with the LORD, letting Him pour into us. If we don't, and I know this from first hand experience, we'll get worn out. We'll get depressed. God becomes harder and harder to see and we wonder why we are running at all. In an endurance race, you don't sprint, and you take water stops along the way...just to refuel and recharge. Our lives need these moments of refueling as well. So, slow down...take your time...life with Christ is a marathon, not a sprint...
Tomorrow I'll talk about the other things I learned about our race while looking at Hebrews...
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Going for the win!!!
It feels good to win, doesn't it? I've been an athlete most of my life and the goal of every contest is to come out on top. After all, 2nd place is really the first loser right?
Well, as I get older and learn more about influencing and leading others, I am learning that winning isn't always as important as I thought it was. Now, I must tell you that even typing that statement was difficult for me. This is a work in progress. But in the past, I have fought tooth and nail to win an argument or prove my position or take a stand...but I'm becoming convinced that going for the win is not the right way to approach conflict or uncertainty. There is a value in compromise.
Stephen Covey, in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, says that we should think "win/win". This is seeking after mutually beneficial solutions for both parties involved. It involves looking for compromise. And it involves really giving his next habit a shot..."seek first to understand and then to be understood." I am coming to believe that this is key if you want others to respond to you with trust and respect. You must first hear them, trust them, and respect them. And they need to know you hear them. And once everyone is heard, then you can search for the best possible solution to the conflict.
Jesus takes it one step farther..." then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Phil 2:2-4). God asks us to put others' first. He's asking us to enter into conflict, not to win, but to honor Him and others. And we can do that if we can get away from the notion that if we don't win, we lose.
Often times there are things in our lives worth fighting for. Many things and many ideas. But it's the way you fight that makes all the difference. And it's the way you respond in the end that validates who you are in Christ and how much you value others.
This is not easy. Believe me...even this week, I have struggled with trying to listen to and validate others' ideas, even when my ideas are different. But what I'm learning is that the bigger picture is not whether we win or lose, but how we play the game!
Well, as I get older and learn more about influencing and leading others, I am learning that winning isn't always as important as I thought it was. Now, I must tell you that even typing that statement was difficult for me. This is a work in progress. But in the past, I have fought tooth and nail to win an argument or prove my position or take a stand...but I'm becoming convinced that going for the win is not the right way to approach conflict or uncertainty. There is a value in compromise.
Stephen Covey, in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, says that we should think "win/win". This is seeking after mutually beneficial solutions for both parties involved. It involves looking for compromise. And it involves really giving his next habit a shot..."seek first to understand and then to be understood." I am coming to believe that this is key if you want others to respond to you with trust and respect. You must first hear them, trust them, and respect them. And they need to know you hear them. And once everyone is heard, then you can search for the best possible solution to the conflict.
Jesus takes it one step farther..." then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Phil 2:2-4). God asks us to put others' first. He's asking us to enter into conflict, not to win, but to honor Him and others. And we can do that if we can get away from the notion that if we don't win, we lose.
Often times there are things in our lives worth fighting for. Many things and many ideas. But it's the way you fight that makes all the difference. And it's the way you respond in the end that validates who you are in Christ and how much you value others.
This is not easy. Believe me...even this week, I have struggled with trying to listen to and validate others' ideas, even when my ideas are different. But what I'm learning is that the bigger picture is not whether we win or lose, but how we play the game!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
A week in paradise???
I am writing as one tired lady! I just got back from spending a week in Niagara, NY on a YouthWorks mission trip with jr. high students. Now, I know what most of you are thinking right now..."I'd rather gouge out an eye with a fork than spend a week with jr. highers!"...but hear me out and you might change your mind.
There are a few things about students that age that are unavoidable. They will try to talk to the opposite sex more than they talk to you (the adult). They will try to figure out ways to make you (the adult) pull your hair out. They will be loud. They will not sleep. They will cry when you take their cell phone away.
However, there are also some things about jr. high students that not many people know. They have extremely sensitive and moldable hearts. They have a thirst for adventure. They have an amazing capacity to be compassionate. They really do want to learn. They really do want to know and experience God. And they really do WANT adult leaders to love on them as well as set boundries for them to follow.
I was amazed at all of the things our kids accomplished this week. They stripped wallpaper, they painted hallways, they stained a front porch, they served food at a soup kitchen, they handed out lunches on the street corners, they hung out and entertained the elderly at senior centers, and they played with countless inner city children...all in the name of Jesus. Do you want to know what else they did? They changed. Their hearts were opened like never before to the love of Jesus Christ. They laughed and cried as they shared with us their desire to grow closer to Him and serve Him here at home. They made plans...plans to change their world.
So, was it a week in paradise? Not by the world's standards. We all slept on the floor of a run down church with no air conditioning in 80-90 degree temperatures. We spent a week working to make other's lives better instead of spending our week on the beach in Hawaii. And we experienced what it means to be the hands and feet of God to another generation of people. So, yes, I do believe it was a week in paradise! Yay God!
There are a few things about students that age that are unavoidable. They will try to talk to the opposite sex more than they talk to you (the adult). They will try to figure out ways to make you (the adult) pull your hair out. They will be loud. They will not sleep. They will cry when you take their cell phone away.
However, there are also some things about jr. high students that not many people know. They have extremely sensitive and moldable hearts. They have a thirst for adventure. They have an amazing capacity to be compassionate. They really do want to learn. They really do want to know and experience God. And they really do WANT adult leaders to love on them as well as set boundries for them to follow.
I was amazed at all of the things our kids accomplished this week. They stripped wallpaper, they painted hallways, they stained a front porch, they served food at a soup kitchen, they handed out lunches on the street corners, they hung out and entertained the elderly at senior centers, and they played with countless inner city children...all in the name of Jesus. Do you want to know what else they did? They changed. Their hearts were opened like never before to the love of Jesus Christ. They laughed and cried as they shared with us their desire to grow closer to Him and serve Him here at home. They made plans...plans to change their world.
So, was it a week in paradise? Not by the world's standards. We all slept on the floor of a run down church with no air conditioning in 80-90 degree temperatures. We spent a week working to make other's lives better instead of spending our week on the beach in Hawaii. And we experienced what it means to be the hands and feet of God to another generation of people. So, yes, I do believe it was a week in paradise! Yay God!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Open The Eyes of My Heart
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You, I want to see You
To see you high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour down Your power and love
as we sing Holy, Holy, Holy
We sang this song at church this morning. And I have sang it countless times before, but today something struck me. Those words are powerful. And as I was singing a question started rising up inside of me.
Is this what we really want? Do we really want (do I really want) God to open the eyes of my heart so I can see Him? Do we (do I) even understand the implications of that? I'm not so sure. Do we really want God to pour down His power and love? Do we understand what that would look like?
I sang like I always have while the band played on. But my heart was disrupted. Because I have a feeling that if our hearts were open to see God, we would be forced to change. From my experiences with Him and from what I know to be true about Him, you cannot see God and stay who you are. And is that what we really want? Do we want to be changed?
I think we like where we are. I think we like our comfortable lives...and we don't want them interrupted. But when you think about history and the many people in history who have really experienced God in their lives...they had to change. Abraham had to pick up and move and he didn't even know where he was going. Moses ended up leading Israel out of Egypt. Mary and Joseph parented the Son of God. The disciples quit fishing for trout and started fishing for men. Mother Teresa quit her teaching job to hang with the untouchables in Calcutta. Bono has used his fame and fortune to champion the fight against the AIDS pandemic in Africa.
When you see God, when you have an experience heart to heart with God, you cannot continue on as you've been living. The things that wreck God's heart begin to wreck your heart. And there is no other choice than to give your life as an offering to Him...the only true source of your life.
We, as humans, are not too fond of change. Especially when we are not in control of the change. But...it is what God requires if we are to have a growing love relationship with Him. But the cool thing about it is this...we don't have to force the change. God will do it in us. It does require quite a bit of surrender on our part, but God does the work of change in our hearts.
And when God starts working like only He can, our hearts become filled with His goodness and change becomes a byproduct of it all. But the question is...are you willing to put your plans on hold for the opportunity to be part of God's plan? Are you willing to surrender the tight fist you have over your life and your relationships for the opportunity for God to enter into those places and revolutionize them? Do you want to see God?
Then pray...open the eyes of my heart, LORD, I want to see You!
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You, I want to see You
To see you high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour down Your power and love
as we sing Holy, Holy, Holy
We sang this song at church this morning. And I have sang it countless times before, but today something struck me. Those words are powerful. And as I was singing a question started rising up inside of me.
Is this what we really want? Do we really want (do I really want) God to open the eyes of my heart so I can see Him? Do we (do I) even understand the implications of that? I'm not so sure. Do we really want God to pour down His power and love? Do we understand what that would look like?
I sang like I always have while the band played on. But my heart was disrupted. Because I have a feeling that if our hearts were open to see God, we would be forced to change. From my experiences with Him and from what I know to be true about Him, you cannot see God and stay who you are. And is that what we really want? Do we want to be changed?
I think we like where we are. I think we like our comfortable lives...and we don't want them interrupted. But when you think about history and the many people in history who have really experienced God in their lives...they had to change. Abraham had to pick up and move and he didn't even know where he was going. Moses ended up leading Israel out of Egypt. Mary and Joseph parented the Son of God. The disciples quit fishing for trout and started fishing for men. Mother Teresa quit her teaching job to hang with the untouchables in Calcutta. Bono has used his fame and fortune to champion the fight against the AIDS pandemic in Africa.
When you see God, when you have an experience heart to heart with God, you cannot continue on as you've been living. The things that wreck God's heart begin to wreck your heart. And there is no other choice than to give your life as an offering to Him...the only true source of your life.
We, as humans, are not too fond of change. Especially when we are not in control of the change. But...it is what God requires if we are to have a growing love relationship with Him. But the cool thing about it is this...we don't have to force the change. God will do it in us. It does require quite a bit of surrender on our part, but God does the work of change in our hearts.
And when God starts working like only He can, our hearts become filled with His goodness and change becomes a byproduct of it all. But the question is...are you willing to put your plans on hold for the opportunity to be part of God's plan? Are you willing to surrender the tight fist you have over your life and your relationships for the opportunity for God to enter into those places and revolutionize them? Do you want to see God?
Then pray...open the eyes of my heart, LORD, I want to see You!
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