Engage #1
Its August 2008. Winter.Time is flying by.
With the dawn of each day comes new challenges in work and relationship.
One place of work has remained the same, yet the people that make it up changed dramatically. My place in it evolving each day. What am I doing there? A question remaining - though one aspect quite clear.
Another job begining with the '08 being challenges of a very different kind, but oh so welcomed and oh so important. What Im doing here is much clearer.
How does my relationship with God impact both these work places?
How does my relationship with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ impact every relationship - from the 5 min telephone call, to the office lunch break, to the children I teach each week, to those i worship with, to those i live with and call my family, to those i call my friends... to everyone i meet?
How does my relationship with the one true Lord impact every single thing i do in my life?
How does my relationship with my Creator impact the decisions I make, or how I make those decisions?
How does my relationship with the true King impact how I spend the money I earn?
It is August 2008 and this weekend I headed to Katoomba for the Engage conference to address/raise these very questions, and more! This is what its about people! Lets make it happen!
It has been a full on weekend, as Mark Driscoll and Don Carson opened scriptures and boldly proclaimed the gospel and boldy challenged us to re-evaluate our lives. I needed it. I was impacted by it. I am praying to my gracious God for change in my life.
For the next few blog posts
Im going to share with you one brief but defining point I either learnt or was reminded of this weekend that challenged me or opened my eyes.Point #1: Religion vs. Regeneration.
Religion - following rules, seeing the way of living as the important thing, valuing the rituals and practices of prayer and going to church more than the relationship with God - Religion says "I have to".
Regeneration - or new birth by the Holy Spirit working in you - says "I want to", or even more than that, it says "I get to".
To pray to God. To attend church with his people. to sacrifice things to follow him. To read the Bible and go deeper and deeper into the scriptures. We get to do those things! As a Christian, it becomes a source of job to obey, because these things, these parts of relationship, are a priviledge and a blessing. A gift to be enjoyed and valued and desired. It is never a case of 'have to' when it comes to Jesus, for He has done all that needs to be done. Now it is a case of Praise God, I get to and I want to. How amazing is that! While I knew this, I needed that reminder to change my thinking and my heart so this becomes evident in everything i do and say.
The other thing I am going to do in each of these upcoming posts is include a new photograph I have taken, as this is part of me I wish to share. This posts photos are brought to you by the fun-tastic evening of celebrating JT's birthday last week.
2 Comments:
I love the 'get to not have to' bit - so refreshing.
I've been thinking about Jesus' resurrection lately for an essay, and have enjoyed the in your face reminder that he is ALIVE and is doing HIS work in the world even as we speak and live. He can handle his own mission. How great is it that we get to share in his mission for people and his plan for the world. Every day :-)
Looking fwd to your continued thoughts, CJ.
JT
Yeah how COOL is that! That always blows me away - He can handle it without us but we GET to be apart of it too!! (again, not have to!)
Yeah, and He IS ALIVE also means we get to have a relationship with him now, he wants us to know him now - he is alive so relationship is real and involved, so when we read and pray it is conversation with God - there's no Have to about that, that is defintiely all 'get to' - what a priviledge! :)
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