I've talked a lot about not being cloistered in our church club mentality.
I've talked about how we need to change the incorrect assumptions people have about God and Jesus and His followers -- i.e. their programmed responses.
I've talked about the mission of the church being to seek and save lost people - and then disciple them into Christ-followers fully engaged and in love with the One who gave us life. And then ... understanding that we are the church and ultimately we aren't here for ourselves, but for the world.
So now ... given all that ... we have to get to the point where outsiders consider us 'one of them' in some sense -- that's the tricky 3-legged stool part -- and to do all this is not so much a matter of 'evangelism' or 'outreach' or 'mission.' It is a matter of understanding our communities and neighborhoods. It is a matter of grasping in greater measure the forgiveness and love and grace and compassion and mercy of God and then turning around to horizontally spread that. It is a matter of the trembling acknowledgement that there is an all-powerful God who has within His character the elements of wrath and judgment and holiness and that there is a real hell that many are headed for if we don't help them want we have so graciously been freely given.
It is a matter of 'living out' - like Jesus did.
Did I mention this was tricky?
Have you ever thought about how Jesus lived those first 30 years of His life without drawing much attention to His Divine nature? I don't know about you, but if I knew I was going to change the course of history, I'm thinking I would manage to slip that into a few conversations along the way.
'May I try these shirts on, Ma'am?'
'Absolutely. Just go behind that curtain over there and help yourself.'
'Thanks very much. You know - one of these days - when I die and rise again, I'm going to split one of these from top to bottom and the world is never gonna be the same ... I'm just saying.'
'Yes sir. I'm sure you are.'
I doubt I could have lived a normal life. But Jesus did. He lived among people for three decades, developing relationships and trust among people. He showed us what 'living out' was all about. He was nothing like what people thought He was. He impacted the responses of every person He talked to or touched. He changed the world.
With His help, so can we.
And be blessed.
4 comments:
I've always felt you were "one of me". That's why I feel so comfortable talking to you. Granted....you are a much better person than I am, but you have never stopped talking to me. I have never known a religious leader who is so "normal". I've always tried to share my love with the people in my world who are not believers as well. And there are many.
The other thing that this post reminded me of, is when you said how Jesus spent the majority fo His life without telling people who He really was. I heard a pastor about a month ago on tv, say that even before Jesus began to preform miracles, etc. He was often invited to weddings, parties and occasions...because people liked spending time with Him. I like to imagine spending time with Him...as if He were one of us...but better. To learn at His knee and to adore Him for who He is. To be able to relate to Him, in some ways, yet be in awe of His perfection. If only He were here...
I've always said this and it still holds true, you have been Jesus with skin for me. I am immensely grateful for that. :)
I'm no better than you, my friend. But your overly kind words are appreciated.
I admit though that I'm surprised you have not met other religious leaders who are 'normal.' I work with 9 pastors every day who couldn't love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and at the same time all of whom could not be more normal. That's what I love about our team.
Ah, but, dear, PK...they are not as accessible. I am SOOOOOO grateful for your blog and your transparency. I truly can relate to you. Thank you for putting yourself out there the way you do.
LOL. Well, you weren't talking about accessibility anywhere in your initial response, you said you didn't know any leaders who were "NORMAL."
And remember - that's all about perspective. There are scores of KFA-ers who would consider ME not accessible as compared to other pastors there. It just evidently is not your experience.
Be blessed.
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