The Church

Good morning!

God is alive and moving all around us. My hope everyday is that I see where He is and that I am wise enough to be where He's working. My prayer lately has been that I would have the spiritual eyes to see the movement and activity of God all around me and that I would be obedient enough to immerse myself in God's presence and be used by Him.

Last week, at an Executive Council meeting (our leadership team), one of our team members shared a devotion with us from her Max Lucado Bible titled "The Church". The devotion has stirred my spirit and given me a glimpse into how God is trying to move in the church. I would like to share it with you:

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight. When energy intended to be used outside is used inside, the result is explosive. Instead of casting nets, we cast stones. Instead of extending helping hands, we point accusing fingers. Instead of being fishers of the lost, we become critics of the saved. Rather than helping the hurting, we hurt the helpers.

The result? Church Scrooges. "Bah humbug" spirituality. Beady eyes searching for warts on others while ignoring the wart on the nose below. Crooked fingers that bypass strengths and point out weaknesses.

Split churches. Poor testimonies. Broken hearts. Legalistic wars.

And, sadly, poor go unfed, confused go uncounseled, and lost go unreached.

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight. But note the other side of this fish tale: When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish!

Nothing handles a case of gripes like an afternoon service project. Nothing restores perspective better than a visit to a hospital ward. Nothing unites soldiers better than a common task.

Leave soldiers inside the barracks with no time on the front line and see what happens to their attitude. The soldiers will invent things to complain about. Bunks will be too hard. Food will be too cold. Leadership will be too tough. The company will be too stale. Yet place those same soldiers in the trench and let them duck a few bullets, and what was a boring barracks will seem like a haven. The beds will feel great. The food will be almost ideal. The leadership will be courageous. The company will be exciting.

When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish.

Friends, let's move out and work on the front lines together. That is where God is and He calls us to work alongside Him and to fight with Him to be sure that His grace, love, mercy, and justice are expressed to a world that hears and experiences the complete opposite every day. When we fish together - we will flourish!

Gracious God who goes before me, give me ears to hear your daily call upon my life to fish with You. Your love made real in my life is meant to be made real in others' lives too. Forgive me when I've wanted to hoard it all to myself. Forgive me when I have focused on what others weren't doing, instead of what You are doing. Give me a reel and a line and if you need to use me as bait to bring in the lost...I'm willing. In Jesus' Name. Amen.