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Happy New Year! 2009 is here and will be so for some time. So…now what?
You bet! It’s time for some resolutions. The promises and vows that we love to hate and often forget before January expires. Perhaps a faith resolution. Financial resolution. Health resolution. Home resolution. Or…a relationship resolution. All of these resolutions have a common thread. Purpose.
Who doesn’t desire and seek purpose? Every company and factory defines their purpose. More importantly…every individual within seeks the same. What is my purpose? A popular question of the masses. As a young adult? A pastor? A layperson? A husband? An employee? And the list goes on. Each one starring us in the face. Taunting us. Wondering who we are and how we will get there. As we look into the mirror, we expect to see a clear reflection. A definition of each. But, the image seems to elude and fade away.
How can we reverse this trend? Become intentional. So often the church takes a back seat. Worse yet…the church may become a back seat driver. Let the pastor handle that. After all…don’t we pay him? Or…let’s pass this decision and discussion through the ranks of committees. Let them figure it out. Get back to me in a month or two.
It’s time that we…no. It’s time that you become intentional. Intentional with ministries. What are my gifts and talents and how may they be used? Intentional with relationships. Reaching out and sharing with your colleague, friend, neighbor, or stranger. Do they know that you are a Christ follower? Why not? Who will tell them in your silence?
Intentional with Jesus. Jesus was very intentional with us. He saved us from ourselves.
This post isn’t about convictions or inadequacies. We all fall short. We’re all inadequate. This post is about walking through 2009 with a new view. Not for the physical. But, for the spiritual. Looking past the label of church culture. Whether pierced or tattooed. Struggling with depression or pornography. Perhaps self esteem. Sleeping with the same sex. Abusive or judgmental. Let’s look at the heart. Jesus came not only to save you...but, to save all of the above.
Come on Jed. I don’t need a new view.
In walks a young man. Wearing jeans and a shirt, he quietly sits near the back row. People greet him and are excited about a new face. He continually comes and eventually gives himself to Jesus. You feel good about yourself…sitting a row or two behind and watching these events unfold. The church at work.
In walks a young man. Same jeans and shirt…but, with a few tattoos. His language is somewhat off key and come to find out…he has a boyfriend. What’s he doing here? Doesn’t he know the protocol?
Look at both young men. How would your church respond? Would they be welcomed the same? Would any “small talk” ensue? Regardless of the surface…they have the same heart and Jesus came for them both.
How about you? Your actions, deeds and thoughts? Are they intentional? Do you have purpose?
I’ll post some questions that we should all be asking tomorrow. Until then. Jed.
Here are some very intentional ministries with a clear purpose…great examples.
Battle Cry & XXX Church
You bet! It’s time for some resolutions. The promises and vows that we love to hate and often forget before January expires. Perhaps a faith resolution. Financial resolution. Health resolution. Home resolution. Or…a relationship resolution. All of these resolutions have a common thread. Purpose.
Who doesn’t desire and seek purpose? Every company and factory defines their purpose. More importantly…every individual within seeks the same. What is my purpose? A popular question of the masses. As a young adult? A pastor? A layperson? A husband? An employee? And the list goes on. Each one starring us in the face. Taunting us. Wondering who we are and how we will get there. As we look into the mirror, we expect to see a clear reflection. A definition of each. But, the image seems to elude and fade away.
How can we reverse this trend? Become intentional. So often the church takes a back seat. Worse yet…the church may become a back seat driver. Let the pastor handle that. After all…don’t we pay him? Or…let’s pass this decision and discussion through the ranks of committees. Let them figure it out. Get back to me in a month or two.
It’s time that we…no. It’s time that you become intentional. Intentional with ministries. What are my gifts and talents and how may they be used? Intentional with relationships. Reaching out and sharing with your colleague, friend, neighbor, or stranger. Do they know that you are a Christ follower? Why not? Who will tell them in your silence?
Intentional with Jesus. Jesus was very intentional with us. He saved us from ourselves.
This post isn’t about convictions or inadequacies. We all fall short. We’re all inadequate. This post is about walking through 2009 with a new view. Not for the physical. But, for the spiritual. Looking past the label of church culture. Whether pierced or tattooed. Struggling with depression or pornography. Perhaps self esteem. Sleeping with the same sex. Abusive or judgmental. Let’s look at the heart. Jesus came not only to save you...but, to save all of the above.
Come on Jed. I don’t need a new view.
In walks a young man. Wearing jeans and a shirt, he quietly sits near the back row. People greet him and are excited about a new face. He continually comes and eventually gives himself to Jesus. You feel good about yourself…sitting a row or two behind and watching these events unfold. The church at work.
In walks a young man. Same jeans and shirt…but, with a few tattoos. His language is somewhat off key and come to find out…he has a boyfriend. What’s he doing here? Doesn’t he know the protocol?
Look at both young men. How would your church respond? Would they be welcomed the same? Would any “small talk” ensue? Regardless of the surface…they have the same heart and Jesus came for them both.
How about you? Your actions, deeds and thoughts? Are they intentional? Do you have purpose?
I’ll post some questions that we should all be asking tomorrow. Until then. Jed.
Here are some very intentional ministries with a clear purpose…great examples.
Battle Cry & XXX Church
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2 comments:
Thanks for the straight talk.
Love the picture of you on the bike!
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