Where are you?

I have spoken a bit of times about this "connecting" theme and the associated inherent desire and need for "relationship". The strong belief that God created us with this as a part of our DNA.

At times the struggle that I find people often have is with the thought that God would "want to" be in relationship with them. This feeling that "I" could never be good enough. That God is so Holy that He continues to be separated from us and that He is more interested in looking for what we do wrong to punish us, rather than long to be in relationship with us.

Well, if you find yourself in that category, or have been there and wondered whether He was really interested in relationship with you, then I think I have a verse from the beginning of creation that spells this out quite clearly. Most would be familiar with the creation story as recorded for us in the first two chapters of Genesis. This is then followed by what might commonly be called "the fall" or the record of "man and woman sin". Now one of the things we understand early of God is His all knowingness (omniscience), nothing is hid from Him. In fact, parents have often used this in an attempt for their children to be good, "you know He (God) knows!". And yet, here is the verse that follows the account of them (Adam & Eve) sinning, being disobedient to an instruction given from God:-

⁸ When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God.
⁹ God called to the Man: “Where are you?”

God comes looking for Adam & Eve, the impression is that this is a regular thing, He comes strolling through the garden. Now they are only too aware the impact of sin (their disobedience) upon their lives. The innocence of being naked is lost and they attempt to cover themselves and hide themselves from the sight of God, their Creator. But God seeks them out - "where are you?"

 Furthermore, the thing that stirs me more and more as I spend time in the presence of God, is that He continues to be interested in me, in relationship with me. Still it puzzles me. Still I might question why, but the Gospels remind me I am His child. I am valued in His sight. He created me with purpose and in love and makes provision that I might find a way into His presence all the time. (This includes you too).

I am a sinful being, not any different to Adam and Eve in so many ways. I make mistakes, I get things wrong. I might not always be obedient. But I am grateful for a loving and gracious God who calls out to me, "Andrew, where are you"?

 

Lifeling Journey

Well here we are in a new year and I have taken up the challenge to attempt to record something of my exploration of life through this means. I have commenced a new book titled "The Lego Principle" (The power of connecting to God and one another) by Joey Bonifacio. For those who have followed this blog previously you will know this follows something of a strong belief of mine that we are to be about "connecting" - to God, each other and our community.

Along with reading this I have commenced again the Life Journal Reading Plan today, and along with a great friend look to explore the passages together in relation to "what has God to say to us". Thus it was shared with me the reminder from the creation story, that God doesn't want us to be alone. Often I refer to this in the sense that inherently within each of us is a need for, longing for relationship. In the first place this is with God as Creator and beyond this with each other. We are not created to be as islands standing alone, rather purposed in creation to interact and know love through our relationships with each other.

Joey Bonifacio in his exploration of discipleship takes us back to the Matthew 28: 19-20 passage -

¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)  
 

He commences with this notion of baptism and what this might mean for us in relation to what it meant for Jesus as He too was baptised and the strong connection this forms with God. The emphasis placed upon being "fully immersed, submerged, and soaked. Every part of Him (Jesus) was dedicated and consecrated as He publicly identified Himself with God."

In The Salvation Army I have personally seen our use of the Mercy Seat as a symbolism of the act of baptism whereby our kneeling identifies us with the total surrender to Christ (identifying with Christ in the fully being immersed, submerged and soaked) and rising in the triumphant power of the resurrection with Christ. Note the connectedness we have with Jesus in this act whereby we give over "everything" to live in Him, to be identified with Him in this newness of life.

Go back a moment to the Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3: 13-17) and be reminded of what was of particular significance, not the actual ritual but the result of Jesus' baptism, says Joey Bonifacio. As the words are echoed again for us, "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased." Words that reflect the strength of the relationship. Words that we might be reminded are for us when we connect to God in our being fully immersed, submerged and soaked in the Spirit  of God.

Connecting with each other...

You will know by now if you have followed my Blog that I am sold out on the need for us to be connected. I have shared before the need to be connected to God, however the second element is the need to be "connected with each other", that is, with each other within the church. 

The focus within this must not be about creating a "club", which has tended to happen in the past. This is not about securing ourselves in a protected environment away from the ills and threats of the world. Rather, this ought to be a place where we find support, encouragement and are spurred on in our discipleship, following Christ, living Christ in the world (wherever we are).

It is good, and important for us to stop and think about this. We need to ensure that our gathering together is healthy and wholesome. That the focus is upon the interest of others and not merely about us. Of recent I have thought a bit about this. I have wondered about us exercising some 'lag time' before we make response in our conversations. Take the time to ask ourselves the question, 'is this conversation or subject helpful and beneficial, or might it be counted as gossip or really none of my business?' I think it is time that we stood up for what is right and honest and of benefit to others, rather than getting caught up in matters that might not be the 'whole truth' or that might not be 'helpful' to another, whether directly or by what it might do to their character.

How different church, and the whole of life for that matter, might be, if our conversations and interest are in regard to the spiritual journey of each other and how we might best support one another practically or prayerfully. Of recent I have appreciated occasions with people whereby this has been the centre of our conversations (over a good coffee of course). Our focus has been upon our encounter with Christ through the Word (the Scriptures) and in our everyday experiences, how He (Jesus) has revealed Himself to us. Fresh discoveries. New learning's. This has been so liberating, so encouraging and exciting. The other thing is, you find you want more of it. And, it fits you (equips you) for living in the everyday.

Interestingly, Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13: 35 (NLT)

Let's do it! Let's ensure that we are intent on what is good for each other, seeking to make a positive impact upon one another, so that we are clearly identified as belonging to Christ, known as His disciples, His followers. If this happens, I believe people will want to be journeying with us, they desire genuine people in their lives. Let's score some wins for Jesus!

This Time Tomorrow...

Have you ever sat under the ministry of someone who just kept reminding you of simple things that resonated with you, and where your heart was? Maybe what they had to share just filled in some of the blanks, the missing elements you were searching for. Maybe what they had to say challenged you to see something differently or to see something afresh with new eyes. 

Chick Yuill, 'thank you for "this time tomorrow"!'

OK! Let me expand a little so you too can share in this simple but profound opportunity. At Geelong we have commenced this segment in worship. It has three parts to it. I have someone share a little about themselves and what it is they do, or where they spend most of their time. I want to focus in on their workplace, their place of recreation, the group they might belong too, wherever it is they are engaged with others. 

The next aspect is in relation to their faith, seeing that 'this place' is where they spend most of their time, that they recognise it as their mission field. And with this being the place God has placed or lead them, what are the challenges they face, the obstacles that appear to get in the way, or what barrier needs to be removed that they might truly be light in the darkness and salt that brings flavour?

Finally we pray for this person and the mission they are involved in where 'they are', where they spend their time.

However, it doesn't end there for me now. You see, the Lord opened my eyes to another possibility a few days ago. He said, 'the people are pretty good in gathering for fellowship and a cuppa following worship on Sunday, put it out to them that this becomes their prayer room too, that they conduct their own this time tomorrow with those whom they converse. Learn something more about each other, find out the challenges and commit to praying for them'.

God has something in store for Geelong I reckon. I really just wanna be in touch with His heartbeat and follow His lead - there, that's the prayer you can join me in. Will you do this for me? I hope so, cause I reckon it makes a difference - 'thanks!'

Freedom...

There was something impactful about this picture when I first encountered it the other day. I wonder what runs through your mind? The initial thought for me was, that the mold I desire to break free from is that of the world. You might know the one I am talking about, whereby people, advertising, images that are displayed, suggest, even compel me, to conform to a particular image, standard or code.

Interestingly, following seeing this image I was reminded of this reality by Richard Rohr -  

"We think of freedom as not having to do what we don’t want to do, but divine freedom is the capacity to be fully who we already are, to develop our inherent and true nature, as much as possible—really wanting to do what we know we have to do. Only God can create that freedom inside of us. Love can only proceed from such inner freedom. A mustard seed, yeast, and light—that all develop from within—are some of Jesus’ central metaphors for this freedom-loving Reign of God." (Adapted from Jesus' Plan for a New World: The Sermon on the Mount, p. 14)

True freedom is when we become or find the person that God has initiated, created us to be. When we become unshackled, untangled from what others might expect of us, or even what we have become conditioned to think we ought to be.

This might not always seem easy when we begin to contemplate it, or dream after it, well not initially, for so often we are still thinking  in terms of how am 'I' going to accomplish this, how can 'I' achieve this. It is not until we actually surrender self or even the notion of 'I' have to be in control, and hand the reigns over to God, that I begin to realise, you know what? this is possible. 

How bizarre that we let go and we find what we have been looking, even searching for - freedom. Why are we surprised? After all, it is what God desires for us.

I trust that you will know this truth more and more in these days. 

Bless ya real good!

Engaged in Mission

On this discovery of a new journey, I am reminded of an aspect that seems to escape the practice or culture of many within the Church - that mission is something we are all to be engaged in. It is not the responsibility of a select few, often identified to being those who are employed by the church for specific tasks. 

The reminder is that all persons who are followers of Jesus, His disciples, are to be engaged in the mission of the church, disciple making. Our engagement is wherever we might spend our time.

For too long we have operated on the belief or practice that the ministry or mission is carried out within the confines of the church building. Thus we add programme after programme that might, in some way, attract and engage people. The goal is that from these programmes a person might go on to attend worship, and in hearing the Good News, they may respond to the message.

Rather, the mission field is where we are, within our home, workplace, school or within the groups which we belong - wherever we meet with other people.

The important task for the church is that we are preparing disciples to make a difference in the lives of others. Assisting them in their growth and development for the sake of the Kingdom of God. However, those of us in leadership, responsible for those who are followers of Jesus, assist this further by changing the existing culture of the church to understand the importance of mission in the everyday of life, placing emphasis on the mission we all have, talking it up, seeking understanding of the challenges people face and supporting them in prayer. 

Yes, within The Salvation Army we need more people to take up the calling of Officership. But, we also need to assist people to see they might be called to being an office worker, mechanic, medical assistant, social worker, doctor, etc. God needs people in all facets of life to be impacting others with His love and compassion - this is our mission, we need to be obedient to the call He places upon us.

Lord, let us hear your voice and be willing to respond, wherever, whenever, and however You desire.

New Journey

It has been some time since last I blogged. The reading has continued (both of the Word and books to do with church culture, etc.), life has continued (with all that might mean, including the struggle to keep physically healthy as well as the other dimensions of social, mental and spiritual). 

To be honest, there has been somewhat a struggle taking place for me as I have sought to determine, or discern the heartbeat of God for me and the Geelong Corps. "What is it You require of me (us) here Lord? What is Your plan and purpose for this Corps (both corporately and in reaching into this community)?" What has made this such a struggle for me? There seems 'so much' that needs attention and I sense a lack of direction or real purpose currently, both for me personally and the Corps collectively. However, questioning is not wrong. Searching is important, especially when aligned to praying and seeking the heart of God, but so is surrounding yourself with the right people who might remind you of the things that are important and the lessons God might be teaching me (us) through these days.

So, a new journey begins. Where will it end up? What will it involve? What will be required of me (us)? Much of the answers are yet to be discovered, yet there are some glimpses of what this might look like and what it might entail. I think it starts with a healthy dissatisfaction in the status-quo, we cannot remain as we are. It means returning to some basics - understanding the importance of the Scriptures, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the fact that God builds His church and we are to make Disciples (this latter part being the crux of the learning to date). There is always a sense that this will require a good deal of energy, some heartache and pain, a strategy, and could be costly. However, to focus solely on these elements is to miss the excitement and joy of serving God faithfully, to see the Kingdom of God further established, growing and developing as people encounter Jesus and their lives are changed. Remembering that it is 'not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.' This is not reliant on me, rather I am needing to be reliant and ever in touch with the heartbeat of God. He has a plan, He has determined a purpose, it is mine to get on board and be a servant.

 I hope you might join with me in this journey, pray that I might truly be in touch with the heartbeat of God for this place, this community, His people. That I will be obedient and faithful to His call upon my life, to make disciples. Pray for my whole being, body, mind and spirit, will be protected, developed and grow healthier each day for that which is and will yet be required of me. And may you too be blessed and be a blessing as you seek to BE who God has called you to BE.