Jun 25
2020
Searching for Follow-Through in my Resets
"But what if we were a community that could reset as individuals and as a body. For spiritual, physical, mental, familial health. We could be that light of forgiveness for each other and those around us. I know Justin said that he will be preaching on this for another couple of weeks. And I am glad. My prayer is that we as God’s Church would dig deep find our personal resets. Perhaps it is not yet time for one, but a perspective of preparation might be all we need right now. To slow down for a minute and evaluate. Jubilee does sound joyous and fun, and I realize that to reset well in the grace of Christ, it takes work and community as well. What a beautiful thing that God has for us in his Son. His mercies are new every morning, and we can experience his resetting power today - each day - when we fall to our knees at his cross."
"The Sabbath-rest that Justin reminded us of is available to us because of Christ’s work, not our own efforts. God rested on the Sabbath in creation because His work in Eden was finished. It was very good. Similarly, we can rest from our work on the Sabbath, and we can rest from our striving toward self-justification on any day, because Christ’s work on the cross is finished."
“Breathe, O breath of God, breathe”. As Justin casually used this phrase in his sermon, this felt like my deepest prayer. I need the breath of God in my dry bones. I need Him to walk with me in the grey areas. I need Him to help me feel my sorrow and my joy, without guilt, without feeling like I have to bounce back to the other end of the spectrum. I need renewal, but that renewal is going to come through the stripping away."
"This past Pentecost Sunday, we are reminded of the answer: my friends, we must be filled with the Spirit. When our emotions surge and our passions rise for truth and justice, we must be filled with the Spirit, for the Spirit, unlike our emotions, does not usurp the place of truth, but takes us to the person who is Truth Himself. When we think all the people around us are forsaking truth and wisdom for the sake of their own political and social agendas, we must be filled with the Spirit, for the Spirit leads us to the cross where we cannot help but see our own brokenness. When we are complacent to let others change the world around us while we enjoy the quietness and comfort of our little bubbles, we must be filled with the Spirit, for the Spirit leads us to engage with our broken world, to do justice, and to love kindness and walk humbly with our God. Whether we are filled with anger or apathy, whether we are demonstrating or remonstrating, whether we are vocal or vacant, we must be filled with the Spirit who will lead us into all truth and love."