Teri

Something’s stirring today.

Something’s happening.

God is on the move in the U.S.

I’m seeing and hearing about it everywhere I go.

So many Christ followers are asking the question, “Isn’t there something more??”

I feel it so strongly today I can hardly…speak…write…think…

Please forgive me  for not having a clearly articulated post. Today, it’s  flowing from my heart of hearts…

I watched this video again. It was released about two years ago. And it ignited my passion for something more all over again.

I went to a church service here in Ham Lake, Minnesota Sunday. The Pastor asked the question, ‘Are you a Christian or are you a Disciple of Jesus Christ?”

His intent was to dismantle some of the negative aspects of the title of “Christian”.

It reflects something too squishy, too soft, too indistinct since it means different things to different people.

Biblically, the people in first century Palestine called themselves, “Disciples” or “Followers of the Way.” Which indicates constant movement, constant growth, and wanting to be defined by our journey rather than our title.  It begs the connotation that we never arrive, but always follow The Rabbi.

Yes…

Our Western culture has done many wonderful things, yet, we are not to be conformed to our culture but transformed by the renewing of our minds to The Way, The Truth, and The Life. And that Way is different than the way of the American Dream.

I was talking to a dreamer this week feels God leading her to start her own business. She’s known it for years but has backed off because of the risk. She had more people telling her all the ways it could fail than she had of people encouraging her to follow where God leads her. Yeah, the road’s been tough and probably will get tougher. Yeah, she’s had to go without a lot. Yeah, she has made mistakes and will make more mistakes. And maybe, just maybe she won’t be “successful” in the way our culture defines it.

But, I already see the life growing within her as she walks in obedience. I see the possibilities of all the people she will help. All the lives she will touch. She has a Kingdom mindset now. She’s looking at things from God’s perspective and trusting Him to never leave or forsake her.

Could it be that she’s supposed to start this business not because God wants her to have a comfortable retirement but because there is only one person she’s supposed to connect with to share Jesus? Maybe one customer who comes to know Christ because she obeyed. Would it be worth it even though she never breaks a six-figure salary?

The risk is great, but the reward is eternal.

That is really the essence of the Gospel.

I mean, we believe in a God who is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, and is the Creator of life. We believe that He raises the dead, parts the sea, provides manna and water and meat, and can walk on water. We believe that he impregnated a virgin so that His Son could leave his Heavenly throne and come to earth as a lowly man. We believe that he lived a sinless life, died a martyrs death, and God resurrected him three days later to break the hold of sin and death. And that our belief in him washes ALL our sins clean, assures us eternal life in Heaven, and immediately transforms us through the Holy Spirit into beloved sons and daughters of God.

So… that makes absolute and perfect practical sense, doesn’t it?

God went to SUCH lengths to offer salvation. God so loved us…

And, did God offer us all this just so we could be more comfortable and secure. Or did he extend us such blessing so that we could help bring the beauty of grace, salvation,and redemption to the rest of the world?

I guess what I’m saying is that the cross was not meant as a place where we could stand and look around us saying, “Look at me. Be like me. I’m a Christian and therefore better than you. You need to do these things and not do these things to be a good Christian.”

The cross of Jesus was meant to be a place to kneel and plead, “Come one – come all!  There’s room! There’s room! There’s enough room here for everyone! Jesus is calling to you. His grace is enough for everyone. Please come! I’m begging you – there is room! Oh all glory to God! ”

We’re to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing what a redeemed life looks like in progress. We’re redeemed and being redeemed each day…TODAY.  In our own flesh, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. It’s called grace and it’s available to you the same as me. No one can out sin God’s grace – that’s why they call it the Good News.

Our world is splintering at it’s very core. The United States is wounded, lost, and breaking down.

Now is the time to fight with such a radical, furious, grace-filled love that it moves mountains.

It will take sacrifice on our parts. It will take us being anti-cultural. It will take surrender to all God is and asks of us. It will cost everything. But, it will give more than we could ever ask or imagine.

What is God stirring inside you today?

Does your life reflect redeeming grace being lived out each day?

If not, I’m here to tell you…there is more! Jesus is more!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21