I just got back from a training event, sponsored by the Missionary Church, in Hillsdale, MI. What a fantastic time! The content of the workshops was great...just what I needed. I have an action plan that will take probably 2-4 years to fully complete. I'll be writing about that stuff in future posts. But that wasn't the best part.
To me, the best part was the opportunity to "rub shoulders" with some really sharp people. I have always been impressed with every member of the Missionary Church I have had the opportunity to meet. Their graciousness to me has been unmatched. And the excellence of their leadership is top notch. I praise God for them, and the opportunity to be playing for the same team.
That's such a cool part about the Body of Christ. We're all different. And that's ok. In fact, in some ways I think it strengthens us. Which gets me thinking...
In what ways do you see our differences strengthening us?
2 comments:
Welcome home, Pastor Jim...
Differences are windows that allow us to see more of God's incomprehensible greatness...and, in reflection, validate our own ideas and beliefs, or if we can't, they must motivate us to change...
Hanging out with "sameness" is like a mirror that reflects only ourselves...the view can get pretty boring and stagnation is a definite threat to living, loving and growing...
Most amazing to me is that God, in his desire for a relationship, created us in His imgage and yet we, in our search for identity and acceptance, create our own little labels, that define us in terms of our image of ourselves. Kind of reminds me of catching lightning bugs as a child. The night would look like stars had risen from the ground, and I would run and grab one or two, usually after a fairly short pursuit, seal them in a small jar (Skippy peanutbutter usually) just so I could carry them around in my hands and stare at them. Then, sometimes when they wouldn't glow, Id' shake the jar, and sure enough, a very slow light would reappear. Most times, though, after a very short period, the once magical light, would be gone and the source of the light would be lying dead at the bottom of what I thought was a little sanctuary I'd created just for them. Why do we always want to own greatness and in our attempt diminish it?
Refresh my memory:
And on the eve of the sixth day, God created the United Brethren...(or any denomination of your choice), male and female alike, created He them...and God looked upon His creation and smiled, because they were his best creation yet...
And on the seventh day, God rested, because he knew He had his work cut out for Him...
Morning rambling...May your light continue to reflect His and watch out for Skippy Peanutbutter Jars...
jp,
For ramblings, this is great insight!
I still like catching lightning bugs. I'm amazed at their capacity to bring intense light from such limited resources. I never could bring myself to storing them in jars. Too bad I haven't always been so consistent in other areas of life, including myself.
It's safe in the jar...but it's boring...and eventually it's fatal. I praise God for opening the lid this week. It's a little scary, but it's the only way to shine the intense light of the love of Christ in the darknesses of my world.
Thanks for joining me in the journey!
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