allies

going back to the past weekend in ft morgan...

friday was spent visiting katie's parents in foley and snorkeling off the beach at the condo. i haven't snorkeled since my dad was lost... i found it's kinda like riding a bike - once you know, you know. in fact, i think i'm more comfortable in the water than on land - but that's another post for a different day.

everyone else arrived friday night. not everyone knew each other, but they all knew me and katie, and they all go to the ring... plenty of common ground. my heart continued to burst at the level of intricacy that He went to for us. i know for me, every room, every balcony, every hallway - everywhere i went - was filled with people i love. my heart could hardly stand it.

it gets even better. the strain that i've seen so clearly on so many dear faces began to ease. there was laughter, joy, eagerness to experience all the weekend had to offer - freedom to just live in a community of people you love, and who love you in return. some people were sad, some reprieved, some relaxed, some struggling, some hurting - but we all went away together, and the Lord bound us to one another in a way that could not have happened otherwise.

we had at least 4 community groups represented there. so many friendships were strengthened and solidified... and then we came home to a message about going to battle for each other, in individual lives and as a church. it could not have been more appropriate. the more we get into each other's lives, the more we know each other - our strengths AND our weaknesses - the more effectively we can battle on behalf of one another. that can only happen by choice. we have to choose to become vulnerable, in order to become strong.

josh made the point that there's no use in trying to pretend that we don't struggle with sin issues. i could not agree more. in fact, i would add that we contribute to the overall struggle of the Church to be real and authentic in a world that is desperate for authenticity when we try.

who wants to go someplace where everyone has it together? i've said it before, and i'll say it again - i'd be the first one out the door if i thought for one second that i was the only one in the place struggling with something - and defeated on a pretty regular basis. this blog is the perfect example of my point. i don't have all the answers. i have lots and lots of questions. i get angry, sad, hurt, exuberant, confident, cocky, humble - all the while living and learning about Jesus in a community of people who are "guilty" of the same things... and that's the point. He is the point. life is messy. so? do any of us think for one second that Jesus is surprised by our antics? according to His Word, we are the image-bearers of God. we are made new. we were given new hearts, and that heart is good - it has to be - it's from Him.

so here's the question - what are we afraid of? each other? Him? the world? our sin?

and here's the good news - get over it. you are going to make mistakes. people are going to not like you. you are going to struggle with some sin issue all your life - even if you are sinless, the pride of sinlessness will get you. so give it over, already. and while i'm at it - false humility and brokenness aren't going to cut it.

i can hear the "yes, but" already. i am not saying staying in sin is ok. i'm basically expounding on the themes paul explores so thoroughly in the letter to the romans. i am saying that we will remain in defeat as long as we try to hide from each other.

so how did i get from ft morgan to sin? simply this - we are in the midst of a battle. we are at war. how can we fight effectively for one another if we don't stop, admit our faults, ask for help, let people into our lives and become allies of the heart? what a beautiful picture of the Bride if we do... and what a stupid battle to lose if we do not. He gives us untold opportunities to come together as a community. He lavishes His love and grace on us. i don't believe that He does these things by happenstance. we would be wise to take advantage of His wisdom... after all, He is the Man with the plan.

think about it - how honoring would it be to the Lord if we just accepted Him at His Word? we are blessed. we are chosen. we are loved. we are forgiven. we are redeemed. we are accepted. we are adopted. it is enough... He is enough.

after all, it's not about us anyway, now is it? it's about coming fully alive for the Kingdom. it's about letting our hearts beat strongly in Him, and for Him, and yes, from Him. it's about letting go of our fear and letting Him in - letting each other in - becoming allies of the heart, battling side by side for as long as He allows us. this point in the life of our church will never be here again. we get to experience this - no one else. why do you think that is? the Kingdom needs us. He is equipping us to do His work here and now, in this Body, in this time. by all means, let's obey the call to arms. let's obey the call to fellowship. let's obey the call to HIM.