Two generations now have grown up with a tv perspective on life. We’ve all been infected with the notion that all problems should be solved within 30 minutes. That same thought process carries over into the church. Stay with me on this one. There is a sense in that no matter where we’ve been and no matter what we’ve done, running down the aisle of the church will bring automatic release and removal of all problems.
Much like tv life, that is not realistic or true.
Our youth group, momentum, watched the movie, Imposter last night. In the movie Kevin Max from DC Talk plays a Christian rock singer whose life spins out of control because of his addiction to himself. The movie takes a very untypical approach in his return to his family, friends, and Christ.
There is no climactic, come-down-the-aisle scene. There is no great reunion between him and his wife. There is no weeping moment of reconciliation with his friends. Instead there is a process of brokenness, a path of rebuilding trust, and a deeper change in a broken man’s life. In the words of the dialog from the movie…
“God is more concerned that our hero go through a process than zapping him with spiritual morphine.”
How refreshing to see a real life approach to a man’s walk with God. How genuine to see family and friends be slow to restore trust. How honest to see a man wrestle with himself and humility.
For 70s and 80s music fans you’ll also enjoy seeing Kerry Livgren from Kansas. For 90s and 2000s Christian music fans, you’ll enjoy seeing Jeff Deyo from Sonic Flood!
Where is the place that people go when they need forgiveness when they’ve failed. Where do people go when they need a dose of hope in their life? Where do people experience the greatest level of acceptance, love, and favor? Where do people go to be honest, vulnerable, and open?
I know the church answer to these questions is Jesus. The Bible says that His Body is present on earth today in the form of His people. Therefore, since His Body is present here on this earth, shouldn’t there be a place on this earth where people can experience the reality of who Jesus Christ?
When I ask people this question, church or un-churched, few have confident answers.
Now for a different set of questions. Where is the place you experience the least free to be honest, open, and vulnerable? Where is the place that you least think of as offering hope, forgiveness, acceptance, and favor? Where do you go when you have failed?
Now the answers become quite confident. The last place on earth? The church.
Something is wrong. These things ought not be. What kind of places have we created? What are we doing? What will it take for things to change?
There are some obvious indicators that God is at work in a person’s life. Its something beyond the excitement and emotion. It moves much deeper to the level of soul and heart change. The indicators of God show up in…
humility - arrogance, pride, and self-focus come to an end. a person recognizes themselves in perspective to the greatness of God. they also find themselves brought low to the people in their life. they no longer demand their way, tower over others in comparison, or think themselves deserving. their words, attitude, and actions change and are all clothed with genuine humility.
honesty - the mask comes off. pretending, hiding, and covering come to an end. there is vulnerability about life, struggles, fears, and needs. there is recognition of failures and seeking of forgiveness. the fear of what others will think disappears. with this kind of open-hearted honesty comes great grace and favor from God.
sacrifice - selfishness leaves and is replaced with a passion to do whatever it takes to make things right with God and others. they are willing to go the second mile and do the hard thing. there is greater love for God and others than a love for self. there is willingness to stay up late, give what is needed, endure what is happening and not be consumed with complaint.
gratefulness - there is an overflow of gratefulness for the love, acceptance, forgiveness, and freedom that has come from Jesus Christ. there is an overwhelming awareness of what has been received instead of complaint for what they have not received. there is a new perspective on life and as a result there is freedom to express thanks to others and to God.
desire for more of God – hunger is the evidence of every healthy person. a hungering desire for more of God is the evidence of a person who is healthy in their soul. they have had the infectious diseases of resentment, greed, and selfishness exposed and removed from their soul. they hunger for more of God’s truth, His presence in their life, and to follow Him with their whole heart.
When I see these at occurring in my life or in the lives of others I can be assured that God is bringing about real change. I can also be certain that there is more He is about to do.
I saw these very things at work in the lives of students at our week at camp. These qualities go far beyond being hyped up, emotionally impacted, or stirred to action because of a speaker’s pressure.
May these forever be the real evidences that drive us daily and motivate us in our quest to take our faith and walk it out.
Even the ones who heard Jesus speak and saw His face missed it. They somehow thought it was about governmental overthrow and political power. They thought this “kingdom” Jesus spoke of was about position, rank, and power. They had it all wrong. Jesus interrupted their thoughts and told them that He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. He came to buy back hearts that had been lost. He came to start a revolution and it would happen through humility and serving.
In this series, we explore the revolution that can happen in a life, a marriage, a family, a church, and a nation when humility and serving become what life is all about.
Funny how we all seek after what is safe, easy, and comfortable. We want it in our home, our car, our job, and in our churches. Funny how that when it comes to our life, these are not on the list of priorities for God. He is so consumed with us experiencing His love, freedom, and grace in our lives that He will often interrupt what is safe, easy, and comfortable. He is a consuming fire that burns up what is plastic, empty, meaningless, and destructive.
