Yesterday, we had Jeff Pratt (hugely anointed guy who usually teaches about the Father heart of God) speak to us for our afternoonsession. He leads a base in Connecticut, and is very passionate about social justice paired with a contemplative life. What he shared with us was so amazing. He began with the two human perspectives that we have when it comes to justice-- one being that social justice is all about people, two being that Jesus' life was primarily about social acts of justice.
Reading those statements, you (like me) might not see anything wrong with that. But Jeff helped us to see that justice is first and foremost about ministering to the heart of Christ; that when we give of ourselves to serve those in need, we areultimately doing it unto Him and not just to do a good thing. He challenged us in how we view the worth of Jesus using the example of Mary and her jar of perfume. The disciples thought the money for the perfume could be used in a more worthy way, like feeding the poor for example. Yet Mary saw the importance and complete worthiness in the person of Jesus, and did a beautiful act for Him. Hers was the most just act.
Next point: Jesus was a seer. Every action of Christ is prefaced with "Jesus saw." He cultivated the inner life and a heart after His Father, therefore He only did what He saw His Father doing. Who we are inside determines what we see on the outside, which determines what we do. We must be fixing our eyes on Jesus, asking Him for new eyes and new vision, and doing what we see Him doing. He did not touch, heal, or help every single person. He was fixated on His Father, obedient to Him alone. Jeff shared how we can get so easily overwhelmed when we see the huge needs of the world, and we see ALL the peoplesuffering, and try to help everyone through social action. This alone leads to burn out and depression, among many other issues. But focused on Jesus and living lives that constantly take time to rest in Him, focuson Him, contemplate everything beautiful that He is, we will live much richer and missional lives, and truly make a difference for the kingdom.
I've also been reading through A.W. Tozer's, The Pursuit of God. Wow. It's been so encouraging and refreshing and challenging. Some quotes from him:
"For now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart's happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead. That is where we begin, I say, but where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the awful and mysterious depths of the Triune God neither limit nor end."
"To have found God and still pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too easily satisfied religious, but justified in the happy experience by the children of the burning heart."
"We can well afford to make God our All; to concentrate, to sacrifice the many for the One."
"There must be a work of God in destruction before we are free. The cross is rough and it is deadly but it is effective."
"Men do not know that God is here. What a difference it would make if they knew."
That last quotes has stayed with me over the weeks. It's a wonderful reminder that men and women everywhere NEED to know that He is here and that He is love and that His power will transform anything and everything. Being downtown (I'm attaching pics of us painting!) has been a revelation of this gaping need in the lives of every person. I don't care what your argument is or who you are or where you're from, God is real and His reality changes lives. I know it. I've seen it. The guy in our picture had met some people from YWAM a few weeks ago, and he was in really bad shape. My friend Molly shared this later that night that they encouraged him and prayed for him, and he told her since then his life has been changing a lot, and in good ways! You never know how much a few words could mean. The Lord Jesus wants us to be a part of His work here and everywhere. I've been so blessed by the people I've met and shared stories with. It's like, just being available to Him can change eternity. He has a throbbing heart for His lost ones, and He'll give you that heart if you ask. But be ready to risk everything. I'm still in the process of letting go of fear and choosing to lay down my pride, taking up this amazing mission and message of reconciliation to all the earth, even to the city of Denver and wherever I might be next (hopefully Brazil!).
This week's teaching has been on reconciliation, by the way. We've learned about/ discussed conflict, along with recent and historical accounts of conflicts in the world, which led to justice and trying to figure out what justice actually is and how we can bring justice to situations. And today, we started talking about how reconciliation ties it all together, and is the desired end to any issue or happening in life. It's been very enlightening. I've loved getting to work in groups and hear everyone's experiences and perspectives. This school is so dynamic; I'm gaining so much!
AND, last thing, we just got back from the launch party for The Laboratory Combating Human Trafficking. It's so encouraging to know that there are so many other people working towards the same goal. Even though we don't have the same ways of reaching that goal, I believe God can work in any way through any person, and bringing freedom to the captives is definitely of and from Him.
Ok, that's life as of this week! Until next time...
(Here are the pics from Kingdom Night. The theme: Taste and see!)
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