Wonder Beyond Fear April 18, 2009
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Christianity, Devotional Journal, God.Tags: postmodern christian church wonder
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‘Wonder’ is critical to the life of the church. In our postmodern crisis ‘wonder’ reigns among issues like ‘truth’ and ‘love’; but modern concepts like technocratic thinking, industrialism and capitalism have rendered ‘wonder’ irrelevant. ‘Wonder’ and ‘play’ (the soil in which wonder grows) do not contribute well to the gross national product. Even in church, this matters more than some would be willing to admit.
Scientific Discovery Through Visualization
When wonder is missing from a church – and by ‘church’ I include those people within who participate in the life of faith – there are at least three consequences I have observed.
First, the loss of wonder reduces life to what can be measured and understood scientifically. There is no longer the sense that the universe – which does not only include undiscovered planets, but family members and grass – is full of mystery. People stop looking for golden apples on trees, because they have been told this is scientifically impossible. Liturgy and people made in God’s image become familiar and boring. Bible study becomes about filling in blanks with right answers ad infinitum. When the notion that the mysterious cannot be found in one church, people shop around seeking the extraordinary elsewhere because their hearts long to be amazed. Extreme missions trips or sensationalized worship experiences are popular ways to fill the void.
The second consequence of the loss of wonder in the church is ungratefulness. People who are no longer astonished that they breathe, that the sun rises, that they make it home safely from work, stop being thankful for such wonders. The practice of ‘un-thanksgiving’ nurtures self-aggrandizement giving way to a sense of entitlement leading to voracious greed. With so much ‘stuff’ to protect, these people feel out of control and that the world is no longer a safe place in which to live. Fear breeds obsessive control in the form of laws that cannot possibly be kept. People who cannot keep the law (especially those established to burgeon the church) eventually despise the frailty of humanity in themselves and others. Rather than developing loving character, an ungrateful church produces mean and hateful people with an urgency that leaves them no time to play.
A third consequence of the loss of wonder is emptiness. People not only jump from church to church, they become spiritual experience junkies. And like drug addicts, they are never satisfied and forever empty. This is why ‘play’ in and of itself cannot save such people. Boredom eventually characterizes their church experience anywhere they go. For some boredom leads to a ‘neurotic apocalyptic’ – doomsday is just around the corner. For others boredom develops into ‘overconfident wisdom’ – they know the mind of God better than God does.
I agree that the older you get, the more it takes to fill your heart with wonder. And I also believe only God is big enough to fill that void.
Only when the church exercises disciplined attention toward God as revealed in nature and scripture will character be its pursuit and restful trust its posture. Without this ‘lingering’, the church will be like the person who quickly dips his teabag into hot water and is disappointed because the drink still taste like hot water. He then becomes frustrated because the directions implied that submersing the teabag would result in a rich cup of tea.
Once the God of Wonders becomes the pursuit of the church, deep growth follows. People will understand that, believe it or not, it’s okay to be human – that is our place in God’s universe. And we will once again see that the world is a safe place to be because we know the God who oversees it.
What have you ‘wondered’ over this week?
Conversing with a Dangerous God April 2, 2009
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Bible: Old Testament, God.add a comment
The Raft of the Medusa
Even a cursory reading of the Biblical Prophets uncovers some rather bold and stark images for God. My notion is that the degree of this boldness is proportional to the degree of “spiritual blindness” in those first hearers. Flannery O’Connor, when asked why she creates such bizarre images in her stories, replied, “When you can assume that your audience holds the same beliefs as you do, you can relax a little and use more normal means of talking to it; when you have to assume that it does not, then you have to make your vision apparent by shock, to the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost-blind, you draw large and startling figures.” If we don’t think like this we can be tempted to sit in judgment of the writers since some of these images seem reckless and negligent.
The prophetic metaphors are presented to Israel in the context of “spiritual blindness” symptomatic of decades of idolatry and missed Sabbaths. Augustine famously stated that humans are restless until we find our rest in God. And G.K. Chesterton continued this train of thought by saying that when we “cease to worship God, we do not worship nothing, we worship anything.” This practice of erecting God substitutes makes a person “blind” to God. The eyes of the heart focus on everything but God. Though stated in the negative, God’s assignment to Isaiah implies that the purpose of the prophetic message is to restore spiritual hearing and seeing:
“Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
(Isaiah 6:9-10)
Dr. Julia O’Brien in the book Challenging Prophetic Metaphor identifies three metaphors for God that are not simply bold, they might be considered “toxic”: God as (Abusing) Husband (Hosea 1-2), God as (Authoritarian) Father (Jeremiah 31, Isaiah 63-64), and God as (Angry) Warrior (Nahum). She writes,
“I believe it is important, even ethically mandatory, to recognize and resist dangerous thinking wherever it occurs, including and perhaps especially in the Bible. To be faithful, I believe, demands recognizing the problems of biblical texts, how they participate in a web of power relations that are toxic. As long as the Bible . . . carries weight in the church and in the culture, I believe it has to be read responsibly, with eyes wide open . . . But I also maintain that these books should be read, that they have value for the life well lived. [W]resting with these books has led me into deep reflection on intimate relationships, parenting, anger violence, politics, the power of language, and the responsibility that Christians have for the way that they think and talk about the divine”
Reading the Bible responsibly includes examining all the images it contains – even the ones we don’t like because they make us uncomfortable or we cannot explain them. Responsible readers do not avoid texts that are difficult to understand. They do not try to soften sayings that shock. Neither do they apologize for things that offend feeling like they need to defend the Bible. Maturity is the result of this kind of responsible reading. Maturity allows readers to doubt with courage and converse with God about what the Bible says.
Many Christians have not matured beyond a “Sunday School” faith. Avoiding honest dialogue about metaphors like the ones O’Brien deals with in her book contributes to this immaturity because people maintain a selective understanding of the Bible and a constricted knowledge of God. The only option these people have in this condition is the idolatry of which the prophets warned hearers in the first place.
“Looking North” – fixing our eyes on Jesus – must mean being informed by every piece of revelation we can get our eyes on. Will you trust the “Good Shepherd” to keep you and lead you as you pursue knowing the fullness of this God?
What images and metaphors are in the Bible that you have struggled with throughout your Christian experience?
Where Healing Begins March 8, 2009
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Bible - Meditation, Bible: New Testament, Jesus Christ.Tags: Bible, God, healing, Jesus Christ, New Testament
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Some people wish they could rewind life and go back to the spot where things went wrong to fix them.
Some people think that “healing” involves returning life to the way it was. This isn’t healing, it’s nostalgia.
Some people simply substitute “holding onto the pain of the past” for living in the present.
Luke 5:17-25 (the familiar story of Jesus healing the paralytic lowered down through the roof of a house by his friends) identifies four places where healing begins. And as a memory device, let’s connect each of these places to personalities in the story.
Personality 1: The Crowd – they didn’t see the need for healing in the man or in their community.
The Miracle: Healing begins with Jesus’ vision for “normal” (wholeness) for our lives.
Repentance: Give up believing your “normal” and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what living could look like.
Personality 2: The Pharisees – were sure only God could know if someone was worthy of forgiveness.
The Miracle: Healing begins with letting go of the past to live responsibly today.
Repentance: Give up the idea that you have the right to know ‘why’/'how’ and ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust God.
Personality 3: The Paralyzed Man – came expecting one kind of healing.
The Miracle: Healing begins with nurturing an attitude of expectancy in relationship with God.
Repentance: Close the distance between you and God and (re)establish that relationship.
Personality 4: The Friends – were content getting nothing personal for their effort.
The Miracle: Healing begins with knowing that wholeness is not a personal matter.
Repentance: Stop believing that someone else’s wholeness is none of your business; and start believing that issues of healing in your life are effecting everyone at Cherry Street.
“The power of the Lord is on Jesus to heal (the sick).” (Luke 5:17)
Where does healing begin for you?
Saying Yes and Saying No February 25, 2009
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Bible - Meditation, Bible: New Testament, Jesus Christ, art.Tags: Bible, Christianity, Jesus Christ, spiritual formation
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a man must choose
he is not a spray of
flowers nor of birdsong
nor the fall of dry twigs
in a rising wind
Francis Sullivan, “Vision with Its Outcome”
Whenever we say “yes” to something or someone, we are saying “no” to something or someone else. “To say yes and no means taking on responsibilities and obligations. Saying yes and saying no are companions in the process of constituting a whole and holy life.” (M. Shawn Copeland as quoted in Practicing Our Faith ed. by Dorothy C. Bass, 1997.)
As you look at the painting below ask yourself, “to what was the person saying ‘no’ or ‘yes’?”
Credits: Tanner, Henry Ossawa The Annunciation 1898. (oil on canvas, Philadelphia Museum of Art)
Henry Ossawa Tanner "The Annunciation"
What sort of support do you and Mary, the mother of Jesus, have to help you to say “yes” or “no”?
Watching the Cloudy Skies December 3, 2008
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Bible: New Testament, Jesus Christ, art.Tags: postmodern sermons Jesus Christ Advent Mark 13
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When you were a child, what were the first signs that clued-you-in that Christmas was coming?
For my dad, who grew up in the 40’s, it was that he saw smoke coming out of the chimney’s. For my mom, it wasn’t until the day before Christmas when the Christmas Tree made it’s way into the living room that she new Christmas was upon them. In my childhood it was Thanksgiving Dinner at Grandma’s that ushered in the holiday’s.
What about this year? What are you watching for that let you know the Season is here? Or perhaps, the signs just burst into your life whether your ready and watching or not!
The disciples of Jesus ask him to tell them what the sign(s) of his return will be. And included in his answer is the text for this week, Mark 13:24-37
24“But in those days, following that distress,
” ‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
26“At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens”
As I read through Mark 13 (and other such apocalyptic passages) I get the impression that Jesus is pretty excited about his return. As this passage continues, he says that no one except the Father really knows when this return will happen, but this doesn’t really seem to concern Jesus. It seems that he’s okay not knowing as long as the there is the assurance that his Father knows. I suppose we should be as satisfied.
But it seems that the return of Jesus is not so exciting to contemporary people. With the exception of a few fundamentalist TV preachers who have an almost overly enthusiastic sense of urgency, most people I meet are hoping it will happen but suppose that it won’t happen like – tomorrow!
Maybe this is because year after year at Advent, we talk about the the Coming of Jesus and then it never happens. But the Gospel Writers like Mark aren’t really biting their nails over the fact. PROBABLY BECAUSE THE COMING OF JESUS IS NOT SO MUCH AN EVENT AS IT IS A HOPE. I’m not saying that I don’t believe that Jesus won’t ‘literally’ return one day. But the ‘relevant living’ theology is that Jesus gives us signs that will help us know that his coming is very close – signs that are practical for today!
In verses prior to those in our text, Jesus says that one of the signs will be that the Temple (which the disciples found to be very impressive – v.1) will be torn down. There were times in Jewish History when the Temple became more sacred, provided more security, and gave a greater sense of identity than the God of the Temple. The building and its ethos was their strength, hope, wisdom, power, wealth, etc., – things that should have been found in God alone.
What are your Temples?
When our Temples are crumbling – when strengths become our weaknesses – Jesus said, “[Now] you will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” When you’ve tried everything you know to do, when you’ve run out of options, when you’ve exhausted all possibilities, and you throw your hands in the air in surrender – Jesus says, “YES! I am coming to you in your deepest need. Now you’re ready!”
Some people stand in piles of rubble – their Temples have crumbled all around them – and they keep trying, they won’t give up. Little do they know, they have no room for Jesus. If they would only surrender their Temple, Jesus could bring his great power and the glory of his Name to their situation.
One thing Jesus says about these signs is that you won’t miss them. It will be like the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of stars. Everyone will know the time is near. How about your life, your neighborhood, your nation, your world? Is it dark enough yet for you to see that your Temples aren’t working? When you become (self)aware of the desperate situation around you which makes you cry out to Jesus for help – then he will come with great power and glory.
Sometimes we don’t recognize that our Temples are working because our vision is puny compared to what God hopes to do. And, so, we keep on doing small things thinking we’re doing okay. But the kingdom never grows because we’re using the rubble of our Temples to build it with our strength. We need to see the marvel of the Kingdom before we’ll admit that we’re too small, too weak to build it.
So what do you want for Christmas? What do you need for Christmas?
If your answer is anything less than the power and glory that is found in the Person of Jesus Christ then you’ll always be disappointed. These are tough times – relationships, finances, sickness and death are wearing us all down. If there was ever a time we needed Jesus to come to us, it’s now.
Take a few minutes and meditate on this painting by Salvador Dali of The Girl Stand at the Window. As you imagine yourself in the painting, reflect on your sense of urgency and hope as you look to the clouds.
Salvador Dali, The Girl Standing at the Window (1925)
Prayer Poem: O Christ, O Cross, O Highest Name August 3, 2008
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in art.Tags: God, Jesus Christ, poetry, spiritual formation
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O Christ, O Cross, O Highest Name,
enthrall my every thought
until Your Life and Death in me
Your Royal Will doth wraught.
Though stress or strain my soul endures
within Thy Life I hide;
Beneath the Cross and in the Word
Today, o soul, abide.
-Dan Snyder, 2004
Lessons in Energy (NCD Growth Forces) May 1, 2008
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Leadership Reflections.Tags: leadership momentum, Natural Church Development Growth Forces, organic leadership
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Our congregation had been growing for nearly two years. Attendance had more than quadrupled in that time. People were happily serving, finding joy using their spiritual gifts. Momentum was on our side.
But a change needed to be made. We had outgrown our worship space. And with little resources for expansion, the best solution was to multiply into two worship communities. When the idea was presented to leaders, suddenly the energy changed. And for the next several months the momentum switched sides.
The tendency for a leader in these situations is to push harder. We find our default force tactic and apply it with steadily.
But a new solution may be discovered if we consider the difference between boxing and Jujitsu. The tactic in boxing is always the same: first to ward off the punch of the opponent, then to initiate an offense to knock him out. Both steps require all of the boxer’s force and energy.
The 1500 year old art of Jujitsu is quite different than boxing. Jujitsu was developed by the non-violent monks in a monastery in Shanin. They designed a set of “soft” fighting techniques that do not resist the force of the enemy; rather they steer the opponent’s momentum. The effect is the opponent’s strength is directed on himself to achieve a winning goal.
Nature makes use of such energy transformation as well. A moving stream causes destructive erosion; but this motion also cleanses the creek bed. A winter frost kills delicate foliage; but it also destroys unwanted mold spores. A grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies alone; but when it dies it brings forth much fruit.
The people of Israel were held captive in Babylon for 70 years. But during those years they rediscovered God and His Word and who they were as a people. And the church in our opening example took the resistance to multiply (viewed as splitting up relationships in the community) and turned in into energy to build a small groups ministry that valued those relationships.
What resistance are you facing in your ministry? Are you using ‘boxing’ force tactics that are tiring you out? How can you direct the energy of this resistance toward a great goal?
Some Principles of Transition January 22, 2008
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Leadership Reflections, Transitions.Tags: Christianity, Jesus, postmodern christian church leadership transitions, Religion
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Transitions in life or in an organization are often overlooked or botched because they are handled like “change”. Things “change”, people “transition”.
Transitions are “wilderness” times where we (re)discover our identity and where God prepares us for the next chapter in our story. If these times are rushed by leaders who don’t understand the value of a time of transition, or because the leader is too quick to leave the past and get onto the future, everyone misses out on the tremendous blessings that can only be had during these seasons.
Jesus identifies the following Principles of Transition in his discourse to his disciples in the 14th, 15th and 16th chapters of the book of John. By stating these principles in an honest, forthright manner, He diffuses the power of fear that can paralyze during such times. Here they are:
1. The Principle of Space (“. . . I am going . . .”, John 14:2)
This principle is tied to the Person of Jesus Christ, but is not isolated to this Scriptural account. Adam and Eve in Eden experience time of intermittant absence with God. The people of Israel experience Moses being away for 40 days. The Babylonian Exile is a season of 70 years away from God’s Promised Land. And St. John of the Cross speaks of the Dark Night of the Soul when we the ’sweetness’ of God has been taken away.
Our Reaction:Each of these experiences evokes a reaction of feeling forsaken and abandoned. This feeling that God has forgotten us is not uncommon during times of transition.
Appropriate Action: Jesus recommends that during these times his disciples are to recall to remembrance the things that He told them. Reminding one another of the truths and promises of God set forth in Scripture creates community, strengthens faith, and invites God’s voice into our transitional season.
Desired Outcome: Jesus makes it clear that He wants his disciples to obey in His absence. And just like with our own children, He hopes that we will prove that we can obey and live by faith even when we are not immediately aware of His presence. The goal of this principle is ‘maturity’ in faith and obedience.
For an organization, it is the time to ask, “will we trust the words and principles of God? How many of our values and policies are built on what God has revealed in Scripture?”
2. The Principle of Pruning (“[my Father] prunes the branches”, John 15:2)
Pruning is the work of the Father that removes hindrences to growth in our lives and in the organizations we serve. During these times of reliquishment (letting go) we may lose things that are sinful or burdensome. But we may also lose things we thought were useful and good. This is why it is very important to trust the wisdom of the Father who is doing the pruning.
Our Reaction: There will be a natural sense of grief and loss during times of pruning. These emotions can also lead to anger, frustration and even bitterness if not surrendered to God.
Appropriate Action: The pastoral message from Jesus is that the disciples abide or remain in Jesus during this pruning work. This means times of silence and solitude, quieting ourselves before God to submerge our hearts in His Life and love.
Desired Outcome: From the onset we are told that the purpose of this pruning is that we might bear more fruit and much fruit. The Father invites us into His hope for us through this promise attempting to get our eyes off the immediate losses and begin looking toward the coming life.
For an organization, it is time to address what is to be done with ministries and programs that keep hanging on even though they do not produce the fruit God’s desires. It may even be time to let go of something ‘fruitful’ so that it can be launched for the purpose of multiplication.
3. The Principle of Exposure (“. . . he will convict . . . guide you into all truth”, John 16:8, 13)
The Holy Spirit’s work of ‘conviction’ happens most deeply during times of transition because we have slowed down enought to hear. Opportunity to see ourselves in a true light is most available at these times. During this season we are most aware of patterns of speech and behavior that bump up against the reality of God’s ways. Our values, practices and beliefs are all challenged by the loving light of the Spirit.
Our Reaction: Exposure leaves us feeling naked and ashamed. And the natural inclination is to run and hide.
Appropriate Action: When we know how much we are loved (not condemned) we can persevere through this convicting work. And when we do we become deeply aware of reality, can agree with God about that reality (confession) and can make adequate adjustments to the truth of this reality (repentance).
Desired Outcome: People and organizations who are honest about themselves are confident and bold. Future change is welcomed and embraced. Pretending ends as these people discover their newer, fuller selves.
4. The Principle of Humiliation (“. . . until now you have not asked”, John 16:24)
The most obvious reason that the disciples have not asked for anything from the Father as of yet is that they didn’t yet understand their own frailty and how much they needed God. Humiliation is the process of undoing whereby the disciple of Jesus discovers the desperate condition of his life and soul. We all want to be humble, but few want to go through the humiliation that leads to humility.
Our Reaction: The tendency is to avoid and resist humiliation. To be exposed before God who loves us tremendously is one thing. To have our frailty displayed before our friends and enemies is quite another.
Appropriate Action: Just as Jesus embraced the cross (willing to give up the right to die on His own terms), those facing humiliation at the hand of God should embrace the experience as well. This is the crucifixion of the flesh that is required of those on their way to true greatness – the exaltation of God.
Desired Outcome:Disciples who have walked through the fire of humiliation “ask” more readily. A dependance upon God (and His people) to supply abundantly is developed in people and organizations who have come to understand their weaknesses. Even their strengths become saturated with God’s power and life because they are dependant upon Him as the source of these strenghts.
If you or your organization is going through a transition, being aware of these principles can neutralize fears associated with these times of unknown and waiting. Since they are principles you can choose to ignore them, but that won’t change the fact that they are working in your situation. Cooperating with them will help you get the most out of the season in which you find yourself. And you will be ready for the joy on the other side.
Jesus uses the illustration of a woman in childbirth to encourage those in the midst of transition. He says that your sorrow will soon turn to joy and be forgotten as a new thing is born.
While you are in this season, be reminded of Jesus’ words at the end of John 16: Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
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How have you seen these principles at work in a transition in your life or organization?
The Quadrant Conflict January 22, 2008
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Leadership Reflections, Transitions.Tags: Christianity, conflict and cultural understanding, mission, Post-modern church leadership transitions, Religion
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The following teaching comes from Ron Susek (Susek Evangelistic Association). I have found it to be very helpful in understanding various perspectives in a congregation. Understanding these perspectives, then, helps leaders to (1) know how to honor them, (2) know how to help them understand each other, and (3) to know the unique contribution that each quadrant can make to the mission of the congregation.
“Each church can be divided into four quadrants, as illustrated in the chart that follows.
Chart of Church Cultural Structure
Protector:
These people have the greatest longevity in years and experience. They know the issues of the past and why things are done as they are today. There is an institutional memory that gives a sense of ownership (which can be good or bad). They are the gatekeepers of power and influence whether or not holding office. This is gained from family ties and/or past respect. Their vision is an exercise in back to the future: the church should become what it was in the golden age of their memory. They often feel that the institution is more important than the pastor or other leadership (‘Pastors come and go but the church is here to stay’). Need: to be informed and respected.
Protector/Progressive:
These are often in primary position of authorized leadership and generally have a particular ministry concern (education, youth, music, mission). They are often the second generation of the protectors. They still hold to the values of the past, but not as tenaciously as the protectors. Their vision is status quo (not wanting major change): they believe they have worked hard to get the church where it is. While saying they want church growth, they want it to be more of what it was. They have institutional memory but not nearly that of the protectors. They still have firsthand appreciation for events that have transpired, events that shaped the present culture of the church. This group is willing to progress beyond past issues, although they still respect the issues that strongly impacted their parents and grandparents. They are more institution oriented than pastor oriented. Need: to have their particular ministry need met.
Progressive/Protector:
These are people with entry level responsibilities; they are beginning to be integrated (may take ten months to ten years). This group brings a measure of spiritual depth (some may be very spiritual), but they are implants. Their vision is future focused. Since they don’t have institutional loyalty, the pastor is more important than the church. Need: to be mentored.
Progressive:
Tend to be younger people, often new converts and new to the church. They have an almost unguarded commitment to the pastor: his words are from God. They are know for their zeal and are often evangelistic. They don’t have a well developed vision. Nor do they have a clue about the church issues or doctrinal positions that govern the culture and life of the church, therefore they are wide open for change. Need: to be discipled in the basics of faith.
Note:The pastor and leadership staff live in the middle circle of the chart and have an obligation before God to honor, listen and attend to the needs of all four groups. Further, the pastor and leadership staff must build respect and understanding between the groups, or a culture of disrespect and distrust will emerge.
The understandable danger in nearly all churches is that the pastor and pastoral staff will lean toward the group(s) that hail their vision, interests and preferences.”
[Developed by Dr. Ron Susek. Used by permission.]
Comment below on the following thoughts:
How does this help you understand the issues or conflicts in your congregation?
What has your church leadership team done to listen and attend to the needs of each quadrant?
How have you seen distrust and disrespect dissolve as understanding is built between quadrants?
Sustained not Self-Sustaining (NCD Growth Forces) November 19, 2007
Posted by ordinarygrandeur in Leadership Reflections, NorthStar 2.0 (Heb 1).Tags: Religion, Hebrews 1, Natural Church Development Growth Forces Sustainability, Christian Leadership
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“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.”
Flowers are beautiful, but that is not their most important function in God’s creation. Every flower has the capacity to sustain its species. This capacity is most visible when it is wilting and “going to seed”.
Living organisms have the power to sustain life beyond themselves and this power lies in seeds. Seeds make the principle of sustainability a reality.
This Hebrews text gives us insight into the source of fruit and seed. We know by observing nature that life is sustained by fruit and its seed that falls to the ground to die and grow again. But what we can’t see is how the seed finds its way into the fruit or how the fruit appears. Hebrews tells us that sustainability is caused by the “powerful word” of Jesus, God’s Son. Jesus speaks “fruit” and “seed” and they appear.
Ministries that operate with this principle are immersed in this powerful word of Jesus. Persons and ministries that are in relationship with Him, who take a posture of listening to and receiving His Word, will see this sustaining fruit growing around them.
*Is there seed in the fruit our ministry is bearing?
*What are we to do with this seed to sustain the life of this ministry?
*Are we working to hard to maintain/sustain this ministry or are our activities sustaining themselves?
When we speak of “sustainability” this is not independance from God. Our ministries must stay connected to Jesus, the Vine (John 15), for sustainability to be at work. Sustainability can be interpreted wrongly as a self-serving, self-propogating, human-driven machine. This is not the natural interpretation of this growth force. In living organisms (the church being one of them) the Life of God sustains it and releases more life to work in and through it.
*How aer we maintaining our connection to the Vine, Jesus, and His Word?
*How are we humbly honoring God, giving thanks and praise to Him for the seed He has bestowed upon us?
