The Biblical promise is "when two
or three are gathered together in Jesus name" Jesus is in the
midst of us. One way is He is more "visible". The Spirit
is working making us more like Jesus. So we think like Jesus. So we
speak like Jesus. So we act like Jesus. Therefore when Jesus'
followers gather together there is a very real sense that we have a
better chance to see Jesus manifest in our midst as we see Him in
each other.
Saturday January 18 we were gathering
in Jesus name. About a dozen of us set aside the morning to pray,
worship and listen. We started with using the Morning Prayer liturgy
and daily lessons assigned for the day. They were:
Genesis 6:9-22 (God's instructions to
Noah)
Psalm 20 (Song of God the Victor)
Hebrews 4:1-13 (God's Rest and God's
Word)
John 2:13-22 (Account of Jesus
Cleansing the Temple)
We then retreated for quiet reflection
and meditation. Upon returning the following thoughts were shared.
This is simply one perspective of our time together:
One pervading theme was that we were
being reminded that "God was walking with us", just as He
walked with Noah and others whose hearts are bent towards God. The
image of a small child reaching out to hold the hand of a caring
adult reminded us that He loves us better than the best human effort.
We are to take comfort in God's hand extended to us.
Later we were reminded by one who
pointed us to 1 John 2: 6 which teaches that people will know we are
Jesus' disciples if we "walk in the same manner as He walked."
He walks with us as someone who knows what it means to be human.
Hebrews 4:14-16 says we do not have high priest "who does not
sympathize with our weakness". He knows our struggles and
challenges, yet He bids us, beckons us, to walk with him. It is a
partnership. We can do this by holding to the faith (study and
learning the Word) and by holding to each other in the community of
faith. Attend to each other.
A second theme seems to be related to a
follow up question: "Lord where are we to walk?" Very
often we are not given the advantage of seeing down the road, but
called to simply keep our eyes on Christ as he leads. We were
reminded to "keep in step with the Spirit" based on
Galatians 5:25. This means we cannot just sit still, but we must
keep moving, mimicing Jesus, which requires our utmost effort and
focus.
This idea was reenforced when another
person put forth the image of a "blind man" running in a
road race. Here it takes a lead runner and the blind man holding on
to the elbow to make a functioning team. The toughest steps are the
first few when the two need to get in sync. But the team works
because of trust if they do not give up too early in the process
because it is hard at first.
In a journal this was expressed in this
way: "Do not stumble, but run with Me. I will lead your life
like a runner who has no sight. The more you trust Me, the more we
run together, the freer you will be. Trust Me. Hold My arm. I will
lead"
Yet in our listening time there came
forth a challenge from someone's meditation on Genesis 6 calling us
to "engage the culture". With the patience of Noah we are
to be obedient claiming, naming and celebrating art, song, beauty and
everything good. While we observe the world on its self-destructive
path we are to engage the world with light, a Christian worldview,
where we see the good coming from God. As we do we then point people
to the source of light. We are not to retreat from the world but to
advance out in the world to be like the "Temple", cleansed
by the Lord and lifted high as example to those around us. This
engagement cannot be primarily intellectual or mental. Our
engagement is relational. It is to be done one life at a time.
Whether at work, or family, or friends we are called to not just
speak of God but to demonstrate the love of God. Kindness,
compassion, active listening, all open the doors for us to share
about the love of the Father for His children.
This is not an easy or natural process.
It is easier to retreat into to the safety of the ark. Engaging the
culture may not require a physical battle (though some have been
known to "lose their life" or "livelihood" for
standing for Kingdom values), but the battle is primarily spiritual.
One of our number was drawn to focus on Psalm 20 in which they saw a
prescription for spiritual warfare: First we are come before the
Lord with praise and prayer. Second we are to remember what He has
done to strengthen our faith. Next we are to confess our short
comings. Then we are called to exercise grace and forgiveness in the
world and to the world. We ask that all these be done in His Spirit,
In His character, In His name. Another member noted the Hebrews 4
begins with warnings like "remember your first love", "no
hard hearts", "don't be slow to learn", which is
complimented by James 1:19-22 "be quick to listen, slow to
speak", "be doers and not just hears of the Word."
Good counsel for us in 2014.
One last image was shared on Saturday.
It was the image of large glass bottle of oil used for healing. It
was over flowing down the side and on the table spreading out in
every direction. Its smell was pungent, pleasing to the senses, and
it was in abundance. The words spoken over the oil were " A
Year of Healing and Restoration."
May 2014 be know to us as a Season of
Healing and Restoration as we follow the Spirit's lead in our walk
individually and as a church. May we engage the culture with
boldness if not with words only but in intentional acts of kindness
and love. May we see God's healing power touch our lives, our church
and our community at a level we have not experienced as of late.
Amen.
