The Inconvenience of Conversion

I am in love with the idea of how our ministry will improve with the new arrangements that we are starting with respect to the space in our facilities.  I am not, however, in love with the idea of having to go through all the logistics that are involved in a move such as this one.  Getting permits and approval from various state and parish authorities has been very smooth, but time-consuming.  The time visiting with various vendors and working with our trustees to make a final decision was good, but also time-consuming.  Lining up the various people to work with the installation of the utilities and the stairs & ramp has been neat, but interesting when we try to get many people together to do things on the same schedule. Praying that the weather holds up so everything goes right is a reminder that many things are beyond our control.

However, it is serving as a good reminder of what exactly we are asking people to do when we share the good news of the grace of Jesus Christ.  Think about it for a minute - look at all the logistical 'headaches' we must deal with to simply put in a new pre-fab building, and yet we wonder why it is that people are so reluctant to become disciples of Jesus Christ?

Imagine, if you will, living your life a certain way for decades, then being invited to completely and totally change your perspective on life by no longer focusing on yourself, but focusing on submitting yourself completely, in thought, word, and deed, to the will of God. As the apostle Paul would say, dying to yourself so that it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me.

Spreading the word, through how we live our lives, is our calling. Indeed, the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  While we are confident of the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out radical change, we must also exhibit the grace and understanding that comes with asking someone to become a follower of Christ.  We will never give up, but we will appreciate the magnitude of what we are asking to be done.

I seriously doubt there is any one of us who isn't frustrated that a dear friend or loved one is not living a life focused solely on carrying out the will of God by submitting themselves to Christ. However, don't give up living as you are called. 

Transformation is never easy, whether it comes with a simple change in how a building is arranged or how we focus our lives. Let's be sure to be people of grace in the midst of sharing the transformative power of God's work in our lives.

See You Sunday!

Lamar