Today, as I was reading in two different books, the same message came out. Both made a statement about joining God in what He is doing. One of the seven realities that Henry Blackaby teaches in Experiencing God is "God invites you to be involved with Him in His work."
In Genesis, God called Abram to be blessed, but also to be a blessing to others. In other words, to be involved with God in His work. Isaiah was called in Isaiah 6 to experience God, but also to be involved in a work that would not be easy; in fact would not be accepted by many. Jeremiah was told a similar thing, but invited to be involved with God in God's work. The apostles, Paul, and many others were invited to join God in what He was doing in the world.
God attempts to do a big work in His world--to redeem, to reconcile, to love and receive love of others. He wants to restore a person to live in relationship with Himself--a loving relationship that is real and personal. He wants to help us overcome our faults, our wrongdoing, our weaknesses to live a fruitful and productive life. Part of that fruitful and productive life, as we live in relationship with Him, is to join in God's work of restoration. We are to show His love so that people will want His love, which is so much greater than our love, and so much more lasting. One might even say, God's love is eternal.
Sometimes, the ministry of "hanging out" as I call it, provides opportunities to join God in what He is doing. Because relationships are tools God can work through to show His love and share His love. They are enriching experiences that we can have with other people and God provides them for us to enjoy and also to help others as God directs and leads.
Life is not just about me. It is also about others. And life is enriched when one finds purpose in helping others and finds purpose in joining in what God is doing in His world.
Is there only one way to "join God in what He is doing"? No, because God created each of us with our own personality, our own gifts and talents. When someone says you should do it "his or her way" and that is the only way, they are wrong. (Watch out here, Sam White, when you preach.) Otherwise, why would we all be different, with differing mixes of whatever we have from anyone else?
But there are ways that each of us can "join God in His work." That comes through asking God to help us find that way, that niche. But it also comes from attempting to join Him and the trial and error that may bring. On the job training is necessary in all areas of life. Sometimes, one finds that is not her or him, and needs to attempt some other way. But sometimes, one finds this just feels "right," and is me, truly me. And what a joy when that occurs. You then get the impression this is your purpose, your gift, truly you, and that's exciting.
God loves everyone. God wants everyone to know and experience His love. God wants those who know that love and experience that love to share it with others. And to show it to others--genuinely, without show, sincerely, and unselfishly.
So if you've got His love, love others with that same unselfish love you have received. That will please God. That will be joining God. The world's got enough critics and cynical people (hear that one, Sam). What the world needs is more lovers--more encouragers--more uplifters. That is joining God.
Some of you (my age and older) may remember the Dionne Warwick song, still true today. "What the World Needs Now, is Love Sweet Love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of."
Join God in what He is doing--to love others.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
DO NOT DESPISE "LITTLE THINGS"
"Do not despise little things."
So often, we buy into the "bigger is better" syndrome. If it's bigger, then it must be blessed by God and must be right. And we then draw the opposite conclusion. If it's small, it is because of a small dream, small-minded people with no ambition or purpose.
But is that always true?
Last Sunday, I had a wonderful experience of small being right. (Not sure that small is going to remain small, however.)
I supplied in a small town for a small church. Being in so many churches in the past several months that were strictly older congregations, doing the "same-old, same-old," and expecting different results doing the same thing, or expecting to die, I was shocked when I preached at this small town church.
First of all, the inside of the church was beautiful--beautifully decorated (rather than run-down), clean and neat, open cheerful surroundings. Surprise number 1.
They had quite a few kids coming in during Sunday school time, (but that was only the tip of the iceberg). When church started, probably 1/3 of the congregation for church were kids and teens. (They have "youth group" on Wednesday night.)
Surprise #3 was that, in this small town, with several other churches, or church buildings that I saw, they had an almost full auditorium for worship. Whoa!
Surprise #4 was that, my wife and I noticed they had the newest hymnal that our denomination puts out, which has many newer songs and choruses as well. Forward thinking congregation--not past oriented congregation.
Surprise #5--they did their music well (with volunteer leaders), and the pianist did a great job playing the hymns and people participated. AND, the song leader said that they "had" to (meaning they should) learn some new songs, though they did not know them all. (This was an older man, not a young person who said this.)
Next, they did a couple of choruses with recorded music, but again, people participated. There was willingness to use "worship" choruses that were about God and actually "TO GOD."
And the congregation was a mix of all ages!
My wife and I were blown away. What a joy to be in a small town congregation that had vision, purpose (they talked about visits they had made and ministry they were involved in with churched and unchurched people). A joy to be in a church with a willingness to "do things differently" if that helped the church to reach and teach and grow--and to do so with all ages.
Some of our churches in larger towns and cities could learn some good lessons from visiting this congregation in this small town!
But instead, many of us will just "despise" little things, and think there is nothing that could occur in a small town. Some said, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth," I believe. And so they missed the Messiah.
Bigger isn't always better. Small doesn't have to just learn from big. Big also can learn from small, if each is open to God. God is the God of the small and the big. And He can use "even me."
The kingdom of God and God's purpose exists everywhere. And God loves people in large cities and in small towns as well.
Don't despise little things, but learn the lessons God may have from the little things and little places. And be blown away at the purpose and the leadership and the openness to God.
Wow!
So often, we buy into the "bigger is better" syndrome. If it's bigger, then it must be blessed by God and must be right. And we then draw the opposite conclusion. If it's small, it is because of a small dream, small-minded people with no ambition or purpose.
But is that always true?
Last Sunday, I had a wonderful experience of small being right. (Not sure that small is going to remain small, however.)
I supplied in a small town for a small church. Being in so many churches in the past several months that were strictly older congregations, doing the "same-old, same-old," and expecting different results doing the same thing, or expecting to die, I was shocked when I preached at this small town church.
First of all, the inside of the church was beautiful--beautifully decorated (rather than run-down), clean and neat, open cheerful surroundings. Surprise number 1.
They had quite a few kids coming in during Sunday school time, (but that was only the tip of the iceberg). When church started, probably 1/3 of the congregation for church were kids and teens. (They have "youth group" on Wednesday night.)
Surprise #3 was that, in this small town, with several other churches, or church buildings that I saw, they had an almost full auditorium for worship. Whoa!
Surprise #4 was that, my wife and I noticed they had the newest hymnal that our denomination puts out, which has many newer songs and choruses as well. Forward thinking congregation--not past oriented congregation.
Surprise #5--they did their music well (with volunteer leaders), and the pianist did a great job playing the hymns and people participated. AND, the song leader said that they "had" to (meaning they should) learn some new songs, though they did not know them all. (This was an older man, not a young person who said this.)
Next, they did a couple of choruses with recorded music, but again, people participated. There was willingness to use "worship" choruses that were about God and actually "TO GOD."
And the congregation was a mix of all ages!
My wife and I were blown away. What a joy to be in a small town congregation that had vision, purpose (they talked about visits they had made and ministry they were involved in with churched and unchurched people). A joy to be in a church with a willingness to "do things differently" if that helped the church to reach and teach and grow--and to do so with all ages.
Some of our churches in larger towns and cities could learn some good lessons from visiting this congregation in this small town!
But instead, many of us will just "despise" little things, and think there is nothing that could occur in a small town. Some said, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth," I believe. And so they missed the Messiah.
Bigger isn't always better. Small doesn't have to just learn from big. Big also can learn from small, if each is open to God. God is the God of the small and the big. And He can use "even me."
The kingdom of God and God's purpose exists everywhere. And God loves people in large cities and in small towns as well.
Don't despise little things, but learn the lessons God may have from the little things and little places. And be blown away at the purpose and the leadership and the openness to God.
Wow!
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