Unforced Life

I want to write something today. Yet I don't have any great ideas.

I'll just share what's on my mind today. I don't know that it has a real link to The Well Project except that it appears to me that whatever God is doing in our hearts here...it is all somehow connected to the greater good of his kingdom. Africa, Oregon, New York, or China.

I have been reading a book recently that has changed my way of looking at church and community. I have long time been of the belief that church happens less in a building than it does in real life...walking your dog, having coffee with a neighbor, talking to the check-out lady at the grocery, or connecting with a long lost friend on Facebook. The kingdom that the Bible talks about seems to be all around us, just veiled a bit.

Back to the book. There was a paragraph that spoke to me. I'm going to paraphrase a bit.

So many times we try to figure out what we are supposed to "do" to be followers of Jesus. Spiritual disciplines, service, fellowship...or any other buzz word you want to insert. What if, instead, we focused our time and efforts on connecting intimately with Jesus? Not worrying about anything but soaking in His love?

I can hear the criticism already... That would be self-serving. That would be sticking our heads in the sand. You have to have the disciplines to experience God. And many others.

I disagree.

I have a feeling that if we were so consumed, overwhelmed, and enraptured with the love God has for us...our life in Him would pour out of us. Our love would be so true and unforced that we wouldn't have to try to love. We would love without thinking. Our frustrations with the people around us would be burnt up with the holiness that the love of Jesus provides. I think all the other buzz words I mentioned would come into alignment at the right time and in the right way if our hearts were set on Him.

That is what is banging around in my head today. I'm asking God to expand this in my heart and life. I hope it is of some value to your journey.

And for the record...I am not anti-organized church. I just believe it is part of the pathway we live with Jesus, not the crux of it...

I love your comments. Please share your thoughts.

Rescue

My friend, Janet, recently returned from Uganda. She told many touching stories but the one that grabbed my heart was this.

Our church partners with Africal Renewel Ministries to sponsor children. The sponsorships include education, a free daily meal, and medical care. Janet was in the ARM's office while they were bringing parents in to let them know their child had been sponsored. These families wait on a list for long periods of time. Every parent was grateful to have a child chosen. But one woman was profoundly moved. When she was told her child was to be sponsored, she fell to the ground with her hands in the air blessing our church and blessing God.

That woman and her child experienced a rescue. It must have felt like a weight that wore marks in this mom's shoulders was no longer present. Like a hope and a joy came in like a rush, bringing her to the floor in relief.

When I write the word rescue, I think of many things. The times Jesus has rescued me from myself. The beautiful rescue of friends that I didn't think would ever understand his love. The raw rescue of the woman at the well. The rescue of my marriage by a Jesus who intervenes in our stories with intimacy and touching strength. The surprising rescue in the knowledge of a gospel that is more beautiful than I ever imagined. The way Jesus rescued Zaccheus while he watched life pass him by from a tree. I could go on and on.

So, I want to ask... how have you been rescued? What has brought you, body and soul, to the ground in relief?

It is a big question. Do you dare answer it?

Jesus, you are our rescue. Our only hope, our very sure future. May we consider how you have loved us and out of the overflow of that love, live out your rescue on this earth. In Uganda, at the grocery store, as we tuck our kids in at night. Amen.

(I recently found out that Amen means - So be it.)