Thursday, February 1st, 2007. The first full month of the year finished, 11 or so to go, and then we can begin again. Not that living for another year is bad, or that it is something that we should not desire, but if the only real reason we live is to make it through another month, another week, or even to make it one more day at times, then that is really not living.
One rarely studied scripture that I have found that encourages me in this area is -Zechariah 9:16 -The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.
To me, the above is just one more promise from God that we are special and that God did not call us to a common and plain existence. We are children of the King of Kings, Lord of Lord, heirs to the riches of heaven, we are jewels in the crown of heaven, yet it is so easy to become bogged down by "just one more week until ABC or ten more days until XYZ". God beautifully created each day for us to be special and unique. We were made to live in this time, to reside - most of the time - in this part of the world, etc. and each day He gives us opportunities that will never occur again, but many a day in my life has been wasted waiting for the next day or the next day, or the next day, etc to come.
The last two Sunday mornings have been extra special at my home church. My pastor has set a high standard and goal for the coming year in my local body. It is a goal and standard that will allow my home church to mature and impact the community around it. It is also a standard and goal that will allow all the members of the church, including myself, to enjoy the fruits of its labor. I encourage you find, set and work toward similar standards in your life, in your community, in your local church, and with God's help (which is the difference between a good lesson or idea and a worship experience / ministry success) this year will be a great one.
The last two Sunday AM’s have been great at my home church, and they have blessed me specifically. However, if we become a people that only have special encounters with God on Sunday morning then we are missing a great portion of what He has for us. One way to say it I guess is that jewels, gifts, presents, wisdom, and lessons that are rarely seen, or that are unused, are really not as valuable as jewels, gifts, presents, wisdom, and lessons that are permanently on display and ones that bring benefits to those around them.
As mightily as God moves on Sunday morning in many churches, how sad it is that many Monday morning prayers to God are - "Lord please let me survive this week where I can be there next Sunday for the miracle you call worship". As great as it is too desire the miracle of worship at church, and I do think many desire that miracle and consider it one of God's greatest blessings in their lives, is not the only place God works. You probably know that already, and I know it as well. Simply, my goal for the new year is to help a few more people learn that God's sanctuary is larger then a building, that His alter is everywhere we look, and that His work needs to be done daily. He has worship plans for me, and you, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as well.
Please do not hear me saying that I do not enjoy or appreciate Sunday morning. I am simply saying I am praying that we (corporately) can take that experience, that relationship and those Holy encounters from Sunday AM through the rest of the week, and become a church / body that no longer toils for just a few more days before we reunite with God, but that we becomes a church that yearns for a better and brighter experience with God daily that results in special things while we corporately worship throughout the world.
Stay strong, be courageous, look for God wherever you are, and serve God in all things.
