by Josh on February 10, 2010
I’ve been working on a Valentine’s sermon and learning to see the story of the bible as a love story. God pursuing his people passionately, chasing them for a relationship. The struggles of Israel and God are the struggles of man and wife. The struggles between the church and Christ, the struggles of husband and bride. I wrote this to try and capture the essence of that relationship.
You loved me before I loved you. You breathed new life into me, you awakened my soul. We walked together, talked together, lived together. In the beginning, we moved hand in hand.
You rescued me from a life of slavery and pain. You pulled me out of the darkness and into your light. I never could have imagined the depths of your desire for me. You were jealous of me, wanting me to be yours and yours alone. I was made for you, so we came together in our promises.
I was so weak. I am so weak. But you never gave up on me, you kept pursuing me. I wandered, was unfaithful. I couldn’t love you the way you deserved, yet you kept chasing me until I couldn’t imagine life with any other. I found myself captured by your love.
You lived a life pouring out love onto others. In your eyes I discovered grace and beauty. The fullness of your touch healed my wounds. Your sacrifice taught me, inspired me, changed me. I saw your brokenness. That’s when I knew I’d fallen.
I yearn for our hearts to touch, for the fullness of your love poured out. I wait anxiously for the time when we shall be together again. The thought of being in your presence weakens my knees. I long for the day that we’re face to face.
May we learn to see our relationship with God not as a distant idol, or a king over his people. Instead, may we learn to live in the reality of God as the pursuer of our hearts.
by Josh on February 4, 2010
This morning I went to a chapel service at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. This evening, I attended the first annual Verge Conference at Hill Country Bible Church in Austin. I’ve gone through some whiplash days in my life, but… this is up there.
This morning, I was a part of a service that included liturgy, a pennywhistle, communion by intinction (dipping bread in the cup), and sung prayers. This evening, I was a part of a service with a full light show, high tech videos, full contemporary band, communion with a cracker and tray of juice, and preachers doing their best to mix a meaningful & Christ-centered message with humor and laughter. Honestly, I think I felt a little out of place at both. But I think that’s ok.
There’s this temptation we have as Christians. I’ve seen it with the elderly, with children, and yes… with college students. There’s something within us that declares that “our way” is the best. Our ministry, our church, our preference – that’s the “right” one. The other is shallow, or out of touch, or too loud. Yet what struck me today was just how wrong that is. Not in a “duh, we’re supposed to get along” kind of way, but in understanding just how similar these things are. One group repeats a liturgy to share a common story and build community in their longing for God – another sings a seemingly shallow song of five lines that does the EXACT same thing. It’s beautiful. It’s diverse, yet it’s the same. If as a college minister I can help to shape students in any way, I hope I can pass on this simple idea; there is no “best” way. We need each other. And this goes beyond worship styles. The Calvinists need the Arminians in order to keep from being paralyzed and completely counting on God’s sovereignty. Arminians need Calvinists to remind them that God is sovereign and involved. Liberals* need conservatives to remind them of the cross. Conservatives need liberals to remind them of Jesus’ life. The Church shouldn’t find a way to be unified despite differences. We should be unified because we celebrate them.
I love my brothers and sisters who praise with voices and hands lifted high. I love my brothers and sisters who recite liturgies from hundreds of years ago. I love the Church. Love it.
*For the record, hate “liberal” and “conservative” labels, but most people are comfortable with them. They’re officially out of date though. Let me know when we have new terms!!
