So I'm reading this book called They Like Jesus but Not the Church by Dan Kimball. He says "Perhaps one day when people think of Christians and the church, they will think about how we help the needy and compassionately get involved both locally and globally. Maybe they will think of us as gentle rather than abrasive, even with those we disagree with. Hopefully they won't be able to dismiss us as being cold, negative, and judgmental. But this transformation requires leadership to set the example. I believe the church will follow if leaders set the pace and foster a culture of being salt and light, of being loving instead of judgmental and negative. The more we focus on what we stand for instead of what we stand against, the more we will line up with Jesus and His teachings about the kingdom of God, and the more we will be seen as a people who believe in truth and love." (112-113)
So leaders must set the pace if the rest of the church, both local and global, are to respond and become the salt and light that Jesus said we are. We must make people thirsty for what God offers, the chance to never thirst again.
Interestingly, when you fly over the vast ocean (or sail over it I bet), you wonder if you will ever see land again. At night, you learn to look for the bright lights of any city. When you see those lights, it brings you comfort.......you know that a solid foundation is ahead. Jesus said that we are a city on a hill, lights in the distance to bring comfort and stability in this dark and dreary world. Leaders are responsible to God to become that salt and light, even if it makes others uncomfortable at first. When we do it, then others will respond and will rise up to become all that our King commanded us to become.
Thank you leaders, all of you who took the lead yesterday in becoming salt and light. Eventhough I wasn't physically able to be at the House of Prayer, I know that what we did made a tremendous impact. Perhaps it is the beginning of a move of God in our hearts and in our city. Please continue to lead, even if it seems that others are not really following!
1 comment:
Amen well said. the more i think about yesterday the more i feel like i myself overcame a box that i had been in. not to say that everyday is not a struggle to grow further in myself, but i do feel like i overcame a battle with satan in the fact that even through my own initial fears(swat team behind the church on saturday)i had to put away my own fears and see and help others that were going through what seems harder times than me. i feel like GOD received the glory for that. i def saw satan at work to keep some from being involved with our first outing as a church to join in with the community. the boxes that were stepped out of for some i think helped overcome other obstacles in their lives. i thank GOD for that.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WE NEVER ARRIVE IN OUR CHRISTIANITY UNTIL WE ARE CALLED HOME. UNTIL THEN LETS RUN THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US.
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