You know, I believe that God intended for us to do more than simply sit on the sidelines and cheer. I believe that many times He wants us to run the ball!
As followers of Jesus, not just simply believers in Him, we are set apart in that we choose to NOT just sit on the sidelines. We choose to be used by God and to be a part of His mission in this world. In some respects it’s like becoming a partner of a church like LifePoint.
One can come every Sunday and worship. That is okay. But, by becoming a partner, we choose to be an active part of the mission of this church to glorify God and to be an active and healing presence in our community….thus….”your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.
Jesus tells us in the Lord’s Prayer when He says, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” to ask God for his perfect purpose to be accomplished in this world (on earth) as it already is in heaven. Pastor Rob Bell says something I identify with deeply, “God wants humanity encountered by Him, through us. We are all a part of God’s story….let’s not lose that.”
I love what Mother Teresa said, “I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.” I think that is what God’s plan is. Love Him…..love each other.
Matthew 6:9-13 [TNIV, This is Jesus speaking]
9 This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
May you recognize that you are a part of God’s story in life. May you re-look at your presence in your local church body and recognize that it is not as much about “membership” in a church, but that IS about “partnership” with your local church body in the mission of God in this world. May you pray, “Lord, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven….and use me to be a part of the healing of this lost and broken world.