impact of the spiritual

July 24, 2008 at 8:59 pm (church plant, serving, spiritual battle, spiritual storm)
Tags: , ,

What if this is your welcoming committee upon entering the kingdom of heaven:

Convicted felon now teaching bible studies
Meth addicts now praising God
Angry sons and daughters now filled with God’s love
Suicides now sitting at the banquet feast
Adulterers who are forgiven
Rebellious teen turned missionary
Serial killers reconciled to God

I recently viewed a video titled, Cardboard Testimonies. Powerful stuff. Thought provoking. And, in the moment, life changing.

I say “in the moment” because as soon as the next life altering crisis or trauma enters my life, that video will be forgotten. I might remember it as I’m falling asleep, but the impact this video has in my life will not be as weighty as its content warrants.

There are a handful of powerful videos, songs and messages that impact me intensely as I’m watching/listening to them. Every single time. But it would seem that the effect stops there. I don’t carry the message of impact with me into my everyday life. I feel greatly moved, deeply touched and then WHAM! The phone rings, the cat meows or someone else needs to be served and the message of hope and love I was just immersed in is like a vapor in the wind. It’s gone. Just like that.

What is wrong with me? Am I so weak-minded that I can’t stay focused and meditate on these things? Am I so weak-willed that I allow other issues to cloud my mind?

Or…does God have me right where He wants me so that “none may boast…” When I do finally become a mature Christian, it will be so blatantly obvious that it was all due to His work in me, that I am able to do nothing but point others to my Lord and Savior?

Of course, the last option would be my choice. It is, after all the “holy” answer. The answer that makes me feel better about the blackness of my heart. The answer that allows me to continue in the same manner I am, displacing all the pressure of results on God alone.

What do we do with the impact of the worshipful in our lives? How do we share it with others when we can’t get it to stick in our own lives?

I struggle with these things. A lot. I want to be God’s vessel for change, for ministry, for furthering His kingdom. But I’m not sure if I’m the willing vessel for God or simply the vessel of convenience for the emotionalism of this human body.

2 Comments

holy spirit or magic 8 ball

July 11, 2008 at 8:00 pm (spiritual storm)
Tags:

Hasn’t everyone treated the Holy Spirit like one of those Magic 8 Balls we played with as kids?

I mean we all have asked questions expecting immediate and definitive answers to many issues when, in fact the answer itself is progressive. The answer takes some inward work, a heart change or even some outward work such as self control. And yet we want immediate results, instant gratification and pop culture responses.

I wonder what would happen if we actually tried using the Magic 8 Ball instead of waiting on the Holy Spirit.

I desire to live my life in God’s will. So, Magic 8 Ball am I living my life within God’s will?
Magic 8 Ball: Concentrate and Ask Again
okay…eyes squeezed shut…am I living my life within God’s will?
Magic 8 Ball: Outlook Not So Good

I would like to stop working at a job and devote my time to serving in ministry. How’s that looking Magic 8 Ball?
Magic 8 Ball: Reply Hazy, Try Again
I just want to quit my job!
Magic 8 Ball: My Sources Say No

After asking these questions of the Magic 8 Ball, I’m not convinced that the answers are any clearer or better or faster than what the Holy Spirit convicts in us, works through us and comforts our hearts.

For some reason, we have forgotten that most of the time, the progression of working and thinking through an issue is the answer. We forget that our relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is somewhat interactive. It is not always about receiving some divine inspiration, sometimes it’s about giving when in pain and learning from our sins and how to love others as God loves us. It’s not magic and it doesn’t appear to be immediate. But it is for our benefit and for us to glorify God with.

So once again, Magic 8 Ball, is my future hopeful?
Magic 8 Ball: Ask Again Later

Great…out of all the Magic 8 Balls, I get the one with attitude.

3 Comments

first storm of the battle

June 23, 2008 at 6:42 pm (church plant, spiritual battle, spiritual storm)

Have you ever had one of those defining moments? An epiphany of sorts, a sudden and intuitive realization.

One that was undeniable, even undesirable and yet you knew something had changed..

There was no warning. No forethought of the dark clouds. No anticipation of any change in temperature. Just one of those storms that rumbles in and astounds you with it’s ferocity. You find yourself in the aftermath of broken branches and overturned flower pots – wondering what happened? Where did all that come from?

Storms are not fun, they wreak havoc in our lives while they are moving through. They can cause panic, anxiety, even physical pain. Storms are no picnic. But storms do clear out the cobwebs, dust off the dirt and leave us with a sense newness that we get to re-group, re-think and possibly re-do in preparation for the next one.

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, [2] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing……12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Today I look behind me at the storm that has already passed, and the piles of brokenness left behind. Piles of emotions that just sit there, waiting on the spiritual cleansing that only God can give. Not understanding why some storms carry considerable debris within them and why so much is left behind rather than being washed away clean.

Then there it is.

That wonderful smell. The aroma of protection, the scent of relief. The wonderful smell of clean air and rain, wet grass, wet pavement, wet dirt and maybe even a wet cat. (Okay, maybe not the cat.)

But you can’t deny there is definitely a smell when the rains are gone and the coolness of the water drips from every leaf. There is a cleanness that wasn’t there before the storm. There is a freshness that has been uncovered.

Derek has been heard to say on many occasions, “I’ve not heard of anyone receiving Christ right after winning the lottery.”

Nope, we are drawn to God in the midst of our thunderstorms. During those spiritual flashes that remind us of the Gospel and bring us back to the Truth. The storms that bring us to our knees in confession, repentance, adoration and selflessness.

This first storm of the spiritual battle has come and gone. I am stronger for it and I’m healthier because of it. I get it now. The storms are for my benefit. They are actually a grace shown to me by God for the protection of His people. I can’t attack a storm with wind and rain, but I can certainly stand strengthened under the protective cover of God’ word.

Something has changed. An epiphany has happened. I am more aware of being made in His image and not in the image of “approval” or the “fear of man.” I am a new creation in Christ. My position is one of spiritual authority over satan and is supported by the unity within the Body of Christ.

The battleground might be invisible, but it is definitely real and it is now.

1 Comment