Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Two things are inevitable: Pursue God, and you will find Him; find Him, and you will be exposed and challenged in one area of your life or another. And sometimes three!

I have been pursuing God for some time now (credit to Him, not me – for too many reasons to list here). The closer I get, the more exposed and challenged I feel. I understand this is normal, and it may be, but it is still uncomfortable.

For this edition of the Newsletter, I have been encouraged to confess three areas of my life in which I am particularly challenged and troubled. I trust the Holy Spirit will use my confession to encourage, edify, and equip you in some way. Praise God, we are in this together.

First, there is the matter of agape. Agape is what most of us know of as “God’s love”. It is the love God has for us and we are commanded to have for Him, the brethren, and our neighbors. For too many years, I understood and lived from the understanding that “God’s love is unconditional”. Several years ago, I discovered that God’s love is better described as sacrificial. John 3:16 is a great proof text for this.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

For several years now, I have chosen to keep this understanding at arm’s length. It is much easier to love unconditionally than sacrificially. Putting up with someone’s faults and foibles is simply not the same as dying for them. The Father has called me on this, and so I am confessing it to you now.

Second, I simply do not reverently fear the LORD as I should. I suspect this is related to the agape matter, but I am talking about something more. I do not respect and appreciate the LORD’s holiness. I do not respond as I should to His presence in prayer and worship; certainly nothing like the seraphim or Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-5).

I wonder if it is possible to be truly in His presence without fear and trembling. Am I on the outside looking in? What am I missing? Whatever it means to me, the LORD deserves better. So, I am confessing this to you now.

The third exposure and challenge adds a layer of complication and exacerbation to numbers one and two. It is a natural frustration that, though we cannot force fruit, it is the measure of a godly man (John 15:8). How we address that frustration is of immense importance. We can try harder or surrender to the life flow of the vine. Left to its own devices, the branch will even attempt to put down its own roots – so much expended energy, when all it need do is attend to abiding in the vine.

Furthermore, bearing fruit does not produce or increase abiding; the relationship works entirely in the opposite direction (John 15:5). I fear that I have pursuing God in the wrong direction (so to speak). I am no longer sure what I have done and what I am doing in my attempt to force the abiding, sacrificial love, and reverence God desires for me. So, confusion aside, I am confessing this to you now.

In closing, let me encourage you that I firmly believe God will have His way in my pursuit of Him. I am excited about His work in me (and you) to will and to do to His good pleasure, which is to give us His kingdom (Philippians 2:13, Luke 12:32). The adventure of a lifetime continues (and awaits). I am grateful for your willingness to walk in this with me.

God bless you with grace and courage for your pursuit of Him.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob

Updates and Prayer Requests

We are so very grateful to God for your prayers and support this year. We trust He will continue to guide your intercession on our behalf. What would God have you pray and do to advance His kingdom with us in 2021? Here are some suggestions:

We are still laboring to complete the new book. The Storms Have Begun encourages and enables Christians to inspect and restore their houses, navigate the chaos of the 2020s, and help others do the same. Please pray for clarity and swift completion, and how God might have you invest in this project. Publishing will cost approximately $5,000.

We are in the process of redesigning the inLight Consulting website in conjunction with a relaunch of our mission: To encourage, edify, and equip leaders in the workplace to make disciples and transform their spheres of influence. We hope to invest $10,000 into the website work and other ministry retooling.

My heart continues to ache for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Please pray with me for their encouragement, protection, and faithfulness in the face of severe trial and tribulation.

Continue to pray for the workplace leaders you know – for their transformation into mighty men and women of God; that they would boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let me know how I can help you minister to them (we have tons of resources for you to share).

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