I brought our team to the CMA [not Christian and Missionary Alliance – whom we are a part of] Organic Church Movements Conference this past weekend and I’m thankful that it wasn’t lame. And frankly, it turned out really well. Not because the conference was organized so beautifully or that the laying out of the information was necessarily that stellar, but simply said, God spoke. I really wanted my team to come… and they were reluctant: for both good reason and not so good reasons in my opinion.
So I prayed that God would speak. One of the CMA leaders shared in the beginning that God would speak and that we need to be listening. Some of our guys got attacked spiritually as they walked into the conference room – so we prayed; prayed for protection from attack of the enemy so we could hear God speak. And God spoke… different ways to different people and in some very ordinary ways. But it was what we needed to hear… and I’m thankful for that.
I don’t know why – but for some reason I was reminded that we had prayed for God to speak… and he did and that he answered that prayer. For some reason… this time, I was immensely thankful for God that he answered. Almost a little surprised. Why? I’m not sure… maybe sometimes when I pray, I have the following 2 responses:
>> [Assuming that he does answer] – Well, of course he answered. He has to. Heart response? Not appreciative… God is just doing his job.
>> [Assuming no apparent answer] – Well, no surprise… he knows best, and well, I’m just used to him not answering. Heart response? Callous.
Today, I’d like to say sorry Jesus… sorry for taking you for granted. Sorry for losing faith too easily. Sorry for moving too fast and missing the fact that you have answered and responded to my cries every time… and so often my faith is based on a “what have you done for me lately?” sentiment. Sorry my Lord…
I was also encouraged to see Alan and Luanne grasp some things that we’ve always talked about through our time as a church, but it has taken a few years to “put it all together.” I was excited to see the fire re-ignited in Lisa and Serg. I was thankful for my wife who was sick and yet was humble and willing to learn and receive. I’m thankful for my buddy Warren who has always been the “early adopter” of my leadership decisions.
The harder question is, “What next?” – we can’t just go down and not heed the call that God has made on each of us individually and as a community that wants to reach a world for Jesus. What’s next?
The overwhelming word that we need to embrace from this past weekend?
Mission
Here we go…
EL's Dribble 