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It’s not often that I read fiction.  However, I purchased a book last Spring called, “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young.  I started this book around Thanksgiving time and I’m just now finishing it–But that’s not the point!  There’s a quote in this book that I continue to think about.  The quote below is by the Jesus character in the book:

“Seriously, my life was not meant to be an example to copy.  Being my follower is not trying to ‘be like Jesus,’ it means for your independence to be killed.  I came to give you life, real life, my life.  We will come and live our life inside of you, so that you begin to see with our eyes, and hear with our ears, and touch with our hands, and think like we do.”  (pg. 149)

The more I submit myself as a follower of Jesus, the more I’m realizing that Jesus is less interested in us living like Him–He desires to re-live His life through us.  Maybe instead of asking the question, “What Would Jesus Do,” we should ask ourselves if we’ve surrendered ourselves to the One who created the moon and the stars and give Him the freedom to manifest Himself inside us.  I don’t think Jesus ever wanted an army of posers who act like Him–I think we were designed to live in Him and Him in us as one body, His body.

[step off soap box]

What are your thoughts?

Something I’ve been praying lately has completely changed my outlook toward others and life itself.  I’ve been praying along the lines of something like this:

God, give me YOUR EYES to see the injustice, the hurting, the hopeless and the helpless around me.  Give me YOUR Heart to love with.  Give me YOUR MIND to think with.  Let me be attentive to the One who already lives through me.  I want to step into YOUR STORY and join whatever you’re already doing and whatever you want to do.

This may or may not be related to my recent prayer but a week ago Julie and I went to a local produce market to pick up some groceries.  We ran into an elderly lady who was noticeably frail in her speech and in her walk.  She asked if I could lift a bag of oranges into her cart.  As I was assisting her–she went on to explain, “I just had a chemo treatment and I can’t do much.”  I asked her if there was anything else I could help her with.  She said, “No, my husband is waiting for me out in the car.”  I hope that as I performed this act–Jesus radiated through me.  I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her or praying for her.

Lately, I’ve been going over to a friend’s house to jam every other week or so.  Here’s something we threw together last week.  I’ve learned a lot within these past couple of weeks about music and recording.  Here’s another version of “That’s What He Wants From Me.”

A thought that hit me last night at High School Church’s Home Invasion.

Sometimes, when you’re on your hands and knees in the filth and chaos serving others you’re taken advantage of by the very people you’re trying to show God’s love and grace to–especially, when you’re serving QUIETLY and behind the scenes.  It’s like, while you’re on the ground attempting to build Christ’s Kingdom you’re being kicked in the ribs over and over again…but you continue serving and submitting anyways because you know it’s what God is calling you to do.  It’s insanity!  Same act–same result.

Then, I think about Jesus!  He served QUIETLY while being kicked in the ribs over and over again and hung on a cross to rescue mankind.

Is this what it means to share in Christ’s sufferings?

What’s the hardest thing about serving to you?

*By the way, I’ve written and re-written this post and cannot figure out the clearest way to demonstrate this thought.  Maybe you can help me out

Unfortunately, I suppose in leadership there is always opposition.  I think opposition is a good thing because eventually, it makes everybody better and has the potential to make a community stronger.  However, it’s not easy.  Sometimes, in the midst of it you feel like you completely suck at life.  That’s where I’ve been this week.  I’m not down or anything but that thought has certainly crossed my mind.

The cool part about this is that I’ve experienced a lot of encouragement from strange places.  I can’t even begin to explain everything.  The encouragement hasn’t necessarily been from one person saying something but it’s been from multiple people’s actions even though they have no idea what it has meant to me.  There are also some other weird affirmations that I don’t think are appropriate for me to discuss here but they are thoughts and dreams that God has given me for the past seven or eight years that are on the cusp of break through.  Thank you God for the encouragement…you know just what I need in the face of opposition.

I’m reminded of some Scripture I just taught about this past weekend and is something I’m hanging onto right now.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.