I'm done defending God.

[View the republished version on my new blog]

Bet you're wondering what the heck I'm on about. Am I crazy? Well, probably, but that's not the point...

Recent life experiences have been showing me there are some elements to the missional lifestyle that need some tweaking. Some responsibilities are mine, some are not. Here are some thoughts...

1) I'm done defending God. He doesnt need me to fight a battle He's already won. 

My idea of being a good witness involves knowing the truth (check!), believing it (check!), living accordingly (trying to!) and telling others about it (whenever I get the opportunity). But when I get a chance to talk about it, I will no longer jump on the defence (or worse, the attack) as if I have something to prove. God can and will do the proving for Himself. 

"Sometimes the idea of mission seems like a gathering of an army to go and conquer something. It seems goal specific, like the default is about us achieving something for God. Gaining some kind of authority." (Some thoughts from my friend and teacher, Tim Hein) 

But we're not actually called to do something for God and establish His authority - He has plenty of that all by Himself. There's a difference between those who bear witness to authority and those who carry it. 

2) I'm done trying to impress people with my theological understanding. (Like I know that much anyway...)

When I was recently faced with the truth that one of my friends had a terrible time growing up, do you think I had some deep theological answer for them? Nope. I was speechless actually. I just wanted to cry and give them a big hug.

I've realised now that my 'training' was about shaping my heart, mind, character, & aligning my life with Gods purpose for me. It's not about my spoken language. All too often I find that there are no words to say when someone shows you how deep their hurt goes, how broken they are. Instead I think about James 2:14-20 where it says "I will SHOW you my faith by my DEEDS." (NLT, emphasis mine)

Note: It says deeds. Not bible college degree... 

Deeds. Behaviour. Attitude. Lifestyle. 

(Seems more action based than spoken word, no?)

3) I'm done telling God where He needs to go.

I wonder what God thinks when we rock up in someones life and say to Him, "Righto God, lets get to work!" I imagine him rolling his eyes and thinking, My dear beloved, bless your cotton socks, but do you not realise I love this person like I love you and have been here since the beginning of time?

Perhaps instead of trying to lead God and inviting Him to work with us, we need to get behind Him, and see what He is already doing in the hearts and minds of people. That is the message I am to carry, not one I create myself, expecting God to turn up and support whatever I'm doing. (How obnoxious!)

4) I'm done working in isolation.

A large part of my job involves me managing a project that sees 6 different teams, each operating on different Saturday nights, serving and helping all kinds of people in need on Hindley Street, Adelaide. 

The individual teams may not know each other or cross paths much, but when we gathered all the team leaders recently, we heard so many stories about the same people each team were encountering and supporting from week to week. Amazing! 

I sat back and thought to myself, what an incredible example of what it means to be a part of a mission that is bigger than just your individual activity. 

Isn't that what the Church is meant to be? A global movement of believers, who by a seemingly unintentional system of seed planting, are in fact impacting the world through God, for God.

So... 

I'm done defending God. He doesn't need me fighting His already-won battle. 

I'm done trying to make an impact with my words when our actions speak louder anyway.

I'm done trying to make God move somewhere when He just wants me to go where He already is.

I'm done working in isolation and I need to better represent the global movement I'm actually already a part of. 

Instead, I will continue to dedicate this life to becoming the person I was created to be*, partnering with what God is already doing, bearing witness to a growing movement of  Christians awakening to what it means to BE the Church, not GO TO church. 

Just saying.

J xo

*I am so far from perfect, thought life was worthless, until You showed me who I am. Not here by mistake, no luck, only grace. I'm on my way to who I am. Not who I was. Not yet what I shall be. (Sample of lyrics from "I Am" - by Kirk Franklin)

A story that shapes hearts. Including mine.

It's been almost four years since a local church easter camp hosted the raw and unpolished pilot of Immerse. That weekend marked the beginning of an incredible journey for me, and many others (it would now seem). Having just returned from my tenth (!!) Immerse experience, I felt it fitting to mark the occasion with a reflective blog of sorts.

We recently spent five days with this years Year In The Son students on a journey through the greatest story ever told. A story that breaks down preconceived ideas about a God that was once distant and unobtainable, and reveals his loving heart and relationship with his creation.

The setting was beautiful.

{Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot.}

 

The students were inviting, fun, adventurous and ever so sarcastic… (That last bit could be something I inspired and maybe even encouraged... whoops!)

The Story was confronting, challenging, inspiring, restoring, encouraging and motivating. We wondered about what it would have been like to be there - what we would have seen, smelt, felt, tasted...?

{The separation experience}

Once again, I saw a genuine community form around laughter, prayer, inclusion, and the courage to ask questions we may not have the answers to - yet. We dared to venture into the realm of the heavenlies and walked out with reshaped hearts.

{Re-telling the story with some artistic flare.}

{Inside the story room}

We even played duck, duck, goose. (Sadly, no photographs were taken of this.)


But at the end of the day, the reward is not in the friendships made, the laughs had, or the new range of instagram photos I have to share. (Although they are all great things, of course.) No - it's when you read the thank you letters from your students and you can't hold back the smile.... 

"... to experience the bible in such a practical way has made it come alive!"

"... I'm actually excited to pick up my bible now."

"... I'm feeling more confident in my faith and loved what I learned."

"... the way we received it, I think it will stay with me for a long time."

If I could selfishly ask for any more than this, it would be that the story inspired a new group of movement makers, dedicated to sharing the story with others.

Perhaps there will be many more that will mark a number ten against their list of Immerse experiences. I surely hope so. Not because it is some revolutionary answer to contemporary youth ministry in Australia (although, I do occasionally wonder...) but because the journey of these past four years has made me, shaped me, taught me and led me to the very position I am currently in. And let me say, the view from here is amazing. A little scary at times, admittedly, but amazing nonetheless.


To my four special girls, you were indeed a sprinkle of delight in my life. (Get me a bucket.)

;)


Just saying.

J xo