We closed our last article – Attention, Image, Agency, Identity, and Reconnection with the Divine – with an encouragement for all Christians to rediscover the wonder of God’s word. Here’s an excerpt worth repeating:
Our failure to disciple children and adults alike has allowed the ideologies of the world space for footholds and strongholds. The result – and our primary warning here – is the flattening of Christian language into well-meaning cliché. No longer do we wonder at the truths and mysteries of Scripture.
The article then offered two examples: Matthew 18:20 and Mark 10:7-9. This edition of the inLight Newsletter will expound on the matter of revived wonder and provide one or two additional examples.
First, when we use the word “word” we are not limiting ourselves to the Bible, simply because the Father loves talking with His children; and when Jesus is there, with two or three gathered together, He has something to say. Indeed, that’s most of the point.
When God speaks, however He determines to speak to us, we should be awed to wonder.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visithim? Psalm 8:3-4
Tragically, the flattening of God’s word has bled over into our relationship with Him. I speak from personal experience. There are times when God speaks to me – through His written word or directly – and I feel something between surprise and amazement; but seldom do I feel awed at the presence of His majesty, power, and love. Why? Because my focus is more on the word than on the One speaking. I do not take this posture intentionally, but its like I just want an answer, not so much a relationship.
Wow!! I am stunned at this revelation, a bit embarrassed, and excited about what it might mean.
How has this happened to us? What comes to mind is “The Information Age.” We are living in it, and it has infiltrated and inculcated our thinking. Learning has become information gathering, including learning about God’s kingdom. It begins with gathering the information we need to pass a test, write a paper, or participate in the Sunday School discussion. Later in life, we gather information for success in business (and church). Before we knew it, what we knew and how much we knew became more important than how much we knew God.
This is not incidental; we did not work this out on our own. Three nefarious enemies have allied themselves against our wonder at and in God’s word. Under Satan’s rule, the world has trained us to analyze what we read and hear with our reasonable, calculating, and often carnal minds. Consequently, our attention rests on the information and not on the information provider.
Breaking something down into it component parts (i.e., the scientific method) is not God’s way. Salvation is wholeness, and God speaks to bring the eyes of our hearts upward, toward Himself. The word of God is transcendent, not material, natural, or mundane. Attempting to apply our logic and reason, we look down on it, when we should be looking up to it, for it emanates from heaven.
Subconsciously, we go through life consuming bits of information in ever increasing velocity, that we might not get behind someone with whom we are (imaginatively?) competing. Here’s a good test: Try sitting still for thirty minutes away from your pocket computer. Try starving your mind of information for just one half of an hour. Instead, focus your attention on listening to the Father, beholding the Lord, and learning from the Holy Spirit. Most in our society would consider that a ludicrous waste of time. But, we know better. Don’t we?
The solution to this madness seems obvious: We desperately need to (re)train ourselves to stop and critically consider what we have seen and heard before we log it away and move on to the next bit of information. More importantly, we need to (re)train ourselves to value relationship over information. I don’t know about you, but I need help with such an endeavor, and what better thing to help me value relationship than my relationships.
So, here’s a couple of exercises we can practice together: First, the next time you are in a Bible study and a verse or passage resonates with you, ask the group to stop and connect the information with its divine Author. Ask, “Who is talking here?” Or, “How are you experiencing this in your life?” If you are the teacher (or preacher), make this a part of your practice. Secondly, when God speaks to you directly, lean on the Holy Spirit to push your attention beyond the word to the Word Giver. Share your experience with others.
We’ve gone on long enough for a newsletter, so the additional example will have to wait. You can find a few in the previously referenced article. The Sermon on the Mount and Paul’s Apostolic Prayers are also good sources of wonder inspiring words. Invite – and wait on – the Holy Spirit to join you.
God bless you with desire and grace to be transformed from information gathering to relationship building.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen
Ministry Updates and Prayer Requests
Please turn your prayerful attention to God’s voice and purpose for you in this season. We are truly in a Kairos moment of spiritual challenge and opportunity. Knowing His voice is now of paramount importance, and the purpose He entrusts to you will likely be your greatest kingdom legacy.
Regarding legacy: God has stirred a desire in my heart to assemble a cohort of Baby Boomers who are willing to sacrifice for the next group of church leaders, that they would have the opportunity to grow in their faith for the good work God has created for them to walk in. Please pray for this endeavor, and let me know if you are interested.
In the meantime, I am setting aside all the Lord will allow to focus on the current writing project – A Christian Response to the Metacrisis. We have decided to “publish” the book one chapter at a time to the internet; including a short video with each chapter. Please pray for clarity and the technical help and financial resources needed for the project.
God has answered our prayers for the development of a Christian network in Douglas County, Georgia (and the surrounding area). Several churches and ministries are coming together to manifest Jesus’ prayer for unity in service to their community, initially through a Wellness and Deliverance Network. Please pray that we would have the spirit of wisdom and revelation for God’s way in the good work He will accomplish.
The crises of this season will continue to escalate. These are particularly hard on our sisters and brothers already suffering under persecution. Please pray for them as if chained with them – since you yourselves are in the body also (Hebrews 13:3).
Partnering with inLight Consulting
God’s purpose for inLight Consulting is beyond human capability. We are desperately dependent on Him; and would have it no other way. We are grateful for the continued support of those that trust God to use this ministry to further His kingdom. Please pray for our vision and mission.
Share the truths you find here with the leaders in your life; it will make them free.
God bless you with wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; and may He give you the grace and courage to walk in the work He has prepared for you.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob