April 30, 2008
Well, I guess this is the last installment on this subject, at least for a while. My heart is pricked and I realize that the biggest thing that keeps me from sharing my brokenness is my pride. My, what a shame, to miss out on so much love, victory, and power because I want others to think well of me. Am I actually that deceived to think that they don’t know I make mistakes?
I guess the church could use some rawness. Ideally a place where we invite Jesus to be among us to deal with real people and their real problems in real time. A sort of celestial reality show without censorship. What is that church like?
I love that about Togo and worship among the Watchi people. It is raw, untamed, unrefined, and rather pure. The praise time is rather chaotic, there is always the stray goat that wanders through and you can sing whatever song you like. It is flexible and could go on for two or three hours, just the singing that is. As for being open to confession, they studied the word with me and said, let’s start doing that. That is a good idea. We should share our burdens, and it began.
It seems so simple. It is so simple.
I love the promise of I John 1:7, it is a healthy church: “But, if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Truth, exposure, revelation, love, fellowship, healing, encouragement, and grace being born from a willingness to be vulnerable to my family of faith as I share my weaknesses and struggles and you share yours. I hope you are part of that kind of family. If you aren’t then maybe God will use you to get the ball rolling.
May 1, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hey Marty,
I enjoyed your thoughts. I praise God for the humility that you are feeling and seeking! How can we be anything but humble when we realize our state before God without Jesus? Prasie God that “While we were sinners Christ died for us”!
One struggle that I see in myself is the desire to please the world. When I break it down, I think that that desire leads me to pursue many activities that cause me to loose focus. The world tells us that we need to do “this”, and be involved in “these activities”, and look like “that” in order to be worthy. Our kids too must be involved in, and excel at everything in order to be recognized as exceptional.
I am beginning to see this lie for what it is. I do confess, however, that I have been led astray by this ideology.
I long for something more. I relate to your statement, “Passion for Him consumes us as hope invades our heart, that we could live a different, bolder, and more significant life with Him … forever.”.
I am with you brother. Continue to nurture your relationship with Him. Hunger and thirst after righteousness. Blessings to you on the journey!
May 1, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Thank you Greg. What an encouragement you are to me. Blessings to you as you struggle and beat the status quo of Americana.
May 2, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I have one friend here with whom I can confess — but the other times that I have tried with others makes me feel vulnerable at their lack of knowing what to do or say. Confession is one of the trickiest parts of the Christian walk, I think — the pride, shame, and fear — but there is much victory when Satan’s schemes are exposed to the light — the love, forgiveness, and accountability is beautiful.
May 3, 2008 at 11:22 am
So very true, Sandi. There is great victory and as well a bit of risk. It is tricky, but so very necessary in our walk. If we can get over the pride hurdle, we will not only benefit, but many others will as well.