Or have we pandered to this belief?

How much time do you spend thinking about yourself? We live in a culture that encourages self thought. We also spend a lot of time thinking about our emotions. The belief seems to be that if we focus on them enough we can fix them enough or make them right so that we will enjoy life.

This attitude has invaded the church. People rate a church by how it makes them feel. They rate the experience by what it does for them and recommend it to others based on what it can do for them.

The Narcissism Epidemic takes aim at this false belief head on. Take a look at this quote.

“We believe that it would be better for everyone not to concentrate on self-feelings – positive or negative – quite so much. Instead, focus on life: your relationships with others, your work, or the beauty of the natural world. Think about the deepest joy you experience in life – it doesn’t typically come from thinking about how great you are. Instead it comes from connecting with the world and getting away from yourself, as when you enjoy time with friends, family, and children, are engaged at work, or do all-absorbing tasks such as art, writing, crafts, athletics, or helping others.”

What has the churches answer been to self absorption? Have we explained to people the truth that the writers of this book understand? Or have we pandered to this belief system by attempting to satisfy every self focused idea that comes along? Have we interviewed the self focused to learn what they want only to make the church an extension of their self focus instead of teaching them to focus on others and Christ?

I think you know my opinion on this. What is yours?

A Life That Mirrors…

Missional living means living the love of God in a way that impacts other people. As Paul said, we have been reconciled to God, and we are now to serve others with the goal of seeing them reconciled as well. This reconciliation affects all aspects of our lives, beginning with our relationship with God, but also affecting our relationship with other people.

However, the common grace of God and our common reconciliation with God does not mean that we all serve others in the same way. God has gifted us differently. He has given us different talents. We all have different opportunities. God has given us different passions and interests. Thus, we will serve others in different ways. There is a danger, especially among leaders, in thinking that every Christian will serve in the same way that I (or the leader) serves. This is not the way that God works.

Thus, missional living will look different for different people. However, in all instances, a life that mirrors the mission of God will live the love of God in the lives of others in order to reconcile them to God and to one another.

At least some of us act…

We have a calling. It has occurred to me that there are two (negative) responses to God’s calling.

I am currently going through the book of Genesis right now. I just got done  with the story of Abraham as he is talking to the three visitors. I picture it as the grown-ups outside talking about very important business while the kids are just around the corner listening. Sarah is just around the corner in the tent listening to what Abraham and his three visitors are talking about. God tells Abraham that Sarah will give him a son in her old age.

Now, apparently, this was funny to Sarah (imagine your grandma being told she will have a child…yeah gross and weird). Sarah starts laughing because she hasn’t had a kid in all the many years she has been alive and now that she is old she over hears someone telling her husband she is going to give him a son.

God being God knew she had laughed at this and asked Abraham why she laughed. God says is anything to hard for me. I think God was kind of smirking at this one. I think he was thinking,” You doubt who you are, who you were created to be. You doubt me, my power. You have no idea the plans I have for you. What is to hard for the God who created the universe that seems to have no end!”

Sarah was afraid and denied it. God knew she laughed though. He heard her.

What plans does God have for your life that you laugh at? What does he reveal to you about his will do you laugh at? What are you missing out on?

I think so many times we think in human terms. ” I’m an old woman there is no way God can give me a son.” ” I’m just one man there is no way I can help turn around a church.” “We are just a small little group there is no way we can turn around a community or the world.” ” I am just one woman or one man, there is no way I can (insert whatever you don’t think you can do). Why do we think we are in control? God laughs at our plans. He knows whats best. God is the God who gives and takes away. He knows whats best for us. He has given us a calling, a destiny. We are all destined for something. We all have a calling. What did God do through Moses? Through Elijah? Through John the Baptist? Through Peter? Through David? Through the son of a carpenter- a man who saved the world and defeated sin? Are you laughing at your calling?

Then there is the other reaction. One we are all familiar with. A lot of times we laugh at our calling but some people are just cowards. I was watching Saving Private Ryan today. One of the soldiers couldn’t do anything. All he could do was speak a few languages. He sat on the stairs, scared to even move, while his friend was being killed by the enemy. He sat behind a cow and hid while all his fellow soldiers ran up a hill against a couple gunners. He was a coward.

I think that if we get over ourselves and analyze who we are as men and Christians and what we are doing for the Kingdom we will find we are very similar to that soldier. We are to scared to move. We don’t want to step out into battle because it isn’t safe. We aren’t promised security. “”If I step away from this job we can help advance the Kingdom, but oh wait, I may not have any money for this and that.” “If we go talk to so and so type of people others may judge us or think badly of us.” “If I take this risk for God I might fail.”

Stop thinking in human terms. Let God overflow in you. Let his Spirit satisfy. Stop listening to the voice in your head that says, ” you can’t do it, your nothing.” Stop listening to the Enemy. He will put those thoughts in your head. Stop being a coward.

If anyone had a reason to be a coward it was Jesus. He was faced with more pressure, persecution, and a lot more people to let down. But he never, not once, thought like a human. He didn’t live. He died to himself- he put away all his ambitions all his plans, all his goals, and let God’s ambitions, his plans, his goals for his life to run its course. He was no coward. He was the strongest man to walk the earth. The book of Exodus describes God as a mighty warrior. He is no coward. We are created in HIS image, in-case you have forgotten- at least some of us act like have have forgotten.

We have a calling. Stop laughing at what God has called you to do because you think it is crazy. Stop being a coward and doubting God and yourself. Let God live in you. Die to yourself so God can live. Get rid of the human thoughts that cross your mind so that God can work through you. We are dangerous people. The devil will do everything he can do to destroy us. He puts the thoughts in our heads. He knows what God can do through us. Stop letting him win. Stop doubting. Accept the calling God has given you and be a light to the world.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.- Timo Cruz, Coach Carter

Is this the calling your missing out on?