what happens in the life of "experienced" christians in today's world is extremely dangerous to the kingdom work of the church of Jesus Christ. By experience, I don't mean maturity. Unfortunately, after a few years in the faith, we spend more time learning from other "experienced" christians, than getting caught up in the rush of wind ofJesus that causes radical change and action. After a while, excitement is translated to naivity. Real action is left to the "radicals." Faith is reduced to faithful attendance. Fighting for the oppressed and needy turns into fighting over the order of worship (incidentally some of the most worshipful experiences I have ever had could not be described as orderly.)
On a regular basis as a child I watched the movie, The Karate Kid. By the end of the movie I would have gone to my room, found my karate pajamas, and would be running and jumping around the house, kicking everything in sight. I was inspired, motivated. I couldn't stop from inserting myself into the story, the excitement of The Karate Kid. As Christians, we have the most subversive, riveting, inspiring story of a God who loves us. This is a story, though we know the ending, of which we are a part. At some point, we stop tuning into the Spirit as He leads us through the scripture, and we act as if we have heard it all before. Our "experience" allows us to recline as we hear the story that should put us on the edge of our seat.
The challenge of the experienced follower is to quit listening to ourselves saying "I've heard it all before," and to feel the excitement again. We must find a way to get so inspired that we put on our karate pajamas and insert ourselves into the story of the gospel.
May 7th is the national day of prayer. On this day, Christians all over will be praying that God will do something big in our country. I believe that God wants to move in a big way in our country, and I will pray that He will do so. Even more so, I pray that God inspires His people to respond to the hope they have been given. May this response be child-like, naive, and radical. May we not lean on our "experience," but may we run, and jump, and kick everything in sight.
Here is a link of "inspired" ideas that could change a nation, one child-like step at a time.
| http://blog.sojo.net/2009/04/14/50-ways-to-make-a-movement/ |
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