“We are not to find work to do, rather are we to be sent to work by God. Once having understood this we shall truly experience the reality of the authority of the kingdom of the heavens.”

Spiritual Authority - Watchman Nee

In ministry,  often find myself being bombarded with with all sorts of good things to engage in (conferences, work with other ministries, or causes). They all seem like upright and good things for the Lord. But no matter how good and profitable they may be,  if they’re not what the Lord is calling me to do, then they are ultimately a waste of my time. My life is busy and always seem on the verge of getting busier. Knowing the Lord’s will is paramount in doing Kingdom work and also in keeping my sanity. There are many good paths, but only one right one.

[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NtgjNLNpao]

[ht: Beim]

We can see the walk of a Christian in two ways:

1) Jesus died for us and the world is depraved. Someday when I die, I’ll escape this evil world and be with God for eternity. With my heart set on heaven, I will live a holy life and make sure others do so too.

2) Jesus died for us and the Kingdom is here and now. It is our job to ransom, rescue and love the lost and hurting people. We are compelled to live a life of hope and compassion that shows Christ’s love to the broken people of this world.

One way has our eyes set far beyond this world and beyond the horizon. The other has it’s eyes set on the suffering here and now. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We forget this. Or omit this. Or over look this. The call of Christ and his Kingdom is a here and now one.

And our view on this colors which path we walk.

[NOTE: this post is best experienced if you listen to "From Yesterday" by 30 Seconds to Mars while reading]

A couple of days back one of my posts (or rants) brought forth the question:

“How do we change the Church? Or is it worth changing?”

(from youthminister66 )

And I’ll go ahead and accuse myself of being critical and often times offering no answers. SO let me embark upon these questions. It will bring us into territory that is bigger than me, so your input into the journey is paramount. I need all of you to take apart in this.

So let me answer the easiest part first: is the church worth saving?

The answer is a resounding YES. It must. The bride/church is meant to exists until He returns.

Then that leads us to the first question: how do we change the church?

Walk with me for a bit as I meander around the question. Christ cleared the church with a whip because the people had forgotten its intended purposed. So clear your mind about any church clutter you may have entertained thus far in the conversation. Step into the clearing with me.

Picture this. You are apart of a Kingdom. A mighty Kingdom. Now picture this Kingdom established deep within enemy territory. You serve a mighty King. To live you must obey what is governed by your King. To survive you must protect yourself from the enemy that surrounds you. You live in a walled city. Men stay watch over its walls at all times. As you leave those walls, you gird yourself with heavy armor; protection against what may come your way. You serve a cause greater than yourself. This Kingdom is your hope and life. You live to provide for your family and serve your King with honor. You would die for your King and your family.

Now apply this to your lives now. What if we as Christians lived like we had a King? Like we lived with a kingdom? Like we had an enemy outside the walls. If that was reality, how would it shape our lives today?

What if prayer, like the men in the watchtower, were necessary by someone within the body of the church at all times? If the post is left, the city is vulnerable.

If we began to take on this Kingdom view, how would it change our churches (little “c” churches, not THE CHURCH - His people)? We have forgotten that this battle we are in is LIFE and DEATH. Part spiritual, part physical. The events of 9/11 changed our views on safety and patriotism, but they quickly faded away. What if life was like 9/11 every day? How would you live differently?

We have an enemy (some flesh, some spirit) that seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy”. Do we act like it? I get angry because the church has turned into psychiatry and steps to good living. We have lost our edge, our drive to be apart of his Kingdom. We have left our city unguarded and taken up residence with the enemy. The dream has been forgotten and we’ve moved on with our lives.

What if we began to see the church as our lifeblood? Not the walls or steeple. But the people and community we have there. What if it wasn’t simply once a week? What if we sought out to live this Kingdom lifestyle?

This whole vision is all a dream you wake up from. It makes sense, at the time, but it doesn’t within the context of the world of your awakend state. You know it’s real, but can’t completely define it. We’re just waiting for it to take physical form. So wake up dreamers. Wipe the sleep from your eyes. Until now, we’ve lived alone and dreamless within the dark forest. We’ve scrimped and scratched by to live. Step out of the forest and into the clearing… your Kingdom awaits.

[tomorrow: a second side to add contradiction to the first]