always an adventure...

i've said it many times, but this summer i have learned so much through reconciliation and living out the call of the gospel together with others. one of the things that has been on my mind a lot lately is this idea of losing my life for the sake of Christ. i've wanted this and heard it talked about for a while, but now i'm actually seeing this happen in my life and in so many people around me. i'm seeing my friends and family actually give up things (time, money, school, approval of parents, etc.) in order to be obedient to God's calling in their lives....its ridiculous, but so exciting.

i read a blog yesterday titled "adventures in church planting." here's a quote from it:

The church that I've been privileged to help plant, Grace, is approaching the two year mark in September. It's been a journey of ups and downs, despair and joy, setbacks and progress. I've learned more about myself and my strengths and weaknesses than any Keirsey report could ever show. My idolatries of being successful or important are constantly exposed by the tossing waves of weekly attendance or offerings. Yet in the midst of this cauldron of insecurities and challenges, I feel more alive than ever.

Church planting is epic. By that I mean that church planting is a series of adventurous and heroic acts over a long period of time. It's not like a two-hour movie where everything is resolved conveniently in time for dinner. This is an epic marked with miraculous provision, lives being transformed before your very eyes, and twists and turns that you could never have imagined. In short, it's the adventure of a lifetime.

i can attest to the fact that this summer has been quite the adventure...ups, downs, setbacks, breakthroughs, changes, and transformations. i have been blessed to be a part of it. i feel like God is just beginning to take me on this grand adventure that he has in store for me as i lose my life for the sake of the gospel.

take last night for example. i met with several church leaders from some new church plants in salem. we shared the stories of how God has worked to create these communities of Christ-followers that he's letting us lead. as i was listening, i saw lives that had given up better jobs, careers, comfortability, time, and preference all for the sake of Christ. one lady that just helped start a church for the homeless said, "my life is crazy right now. i can't believe i'm actually living this." others had given up jobs, chosen to move somewhere they didn't really want to be, or put themselves in a position of financial uncertainty...because of Jesus.

man, nothing makes you more bold than seeing others actually live out what the pages of the Bible say. that's how transformation happens so often...seeing someone just lose himself for Christ and experience the deep joy that comes from that. at the end of our time last night, one person read habakkuk 1:5 - "look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." at first, i heard that and was a bit skeptical...like, "oh, that's a cool verse to read...quaint and inspiring but not really true." then, i began to think about my life these past several months...couple years...and think about if someone told me this is where i'd be at right now a few years ago, i would have definitely have told them, "yeah right..."

God is moving. he always is. he's always beckoning us to himself and inviting us to join in his glorious plan for the redemption of humanity. its a privilege, not a gulit-ridden duty, to be a part of this. i'm excited (and slightly scared) about the adventure that he's taking me on...

"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 glor in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
ephesians 3:20-21