GO!......

Musings from the weekend of May 20-21 at the Emmanuel Fellowship....

Philippians 3.10... really, just the first few words define us. I want to know Christ. To "know" is a word that invites us into an experience.... an encounter.... in fact, encounter after encounter with the living God so that we progressively, intentionally, and passionately deepen in a relationship with Him. It was a sweet weekend to experience what it looks like to 'know' Him.

It seems that knowing Him means going for Him... living for His glory. I love the song, "We Speak to Nations." Really, the idea of speaking freedom, hope, forgiveness, redemption, and the glory of the living God to nations is overwhelming. This weekend as we were singing this song and Bonnie was walking down the aisle with the flag of Niger in her hands, (preparing to give the next three years of her life in this country) I was undone. I watched a friend who could easily be packing up life and prepping to retire, instead teach all of us what it looks like to live for the kingdom. She's 'going'.... she's going because she is in love with this man named Jesus who has the capacity to bring life, hope, and peace. She's going because God has given her medical training and the people of Niger have medical needs. She's going because there are 1.4M people in Niger and only 184 of them have experienced what it looks like to be in relationship with Christ. She's going because God invited her and she said, oh yeah! I thank God for Bonnie... she has led the GEMS well. She has been a teammate... a friend.... and left deep impression on my life (all of our lives I do believe!!) Her story was challenging. Bonnie said one thing.... she said, when you say "yes" to God, life becomes pretty clear. He may shift and change your environments, but our lives are, then, consumed for His glory, His name, and His renown. So, let's "Go"! Let's live with faces radiant for the name and fame of God.

"Going" takes on many different forms. Bonnie is venturing to Africa. Katherine also shared a life adjustment. She is 'going' to a classroom in Okaloosa County. She will "go" to teach and to live as a person who is after the heart of God and who longs to leave an impact on 20 - 25 families every year of her life. Katherine is leaving our staff team after 3 years to "Go"..... She has left an amazing impact on the kids ministries here. She has guided our fellowship to leave impression on 4 continents in missions ministries. And now, she is 'going' back to the classroom to leave impression. I think that the message of this weekend was pretty doggone cool. Going takes on many different forms. What it really boils down to is being owned by the desire to move with God..... where God is taking you.... and to actually be owned by the passion to know Him.

It was a sweet weekend. 20+ graduates.... African continent.... Kids focus changing.... (okay, can we really be THAT excited about two team members leaving the Emmanuel team??? Life really changes doesn't it!!?) ..... and the overarching message of one pure, holy passion. I really thank my God for a family to experience life with and to experience God with.... It's supreme.

So, let's aspire to be like Moses. To really ask God for one simple thing this week. In fact, to make this thought predominant in our lives. "God, I want you.... at this moment, nothing from you.... nothing to do for me.... I really want you!" Moses said, let's cut past all this other stuff that I need in this world. Let's cut through the needs I have in leading a million people or so through the desert. Let's cut to the chase...."Show me Your Glory!!!" He was saying, You, O God, are more than enough. Not your stuff.... not what you do for me.... not the manna, quail, parting waters, or cloud of your presence. What I really want is....... You! I just want you, God! Philippians 3.10 invites us to WANT God. To long to know Him. All the rest will fall into place when our desire to know Him is the apex. Honestly, I want to be a difference maker... to leave an impact for the kingdom... to change the world... to be a part of a body that does HUGE things for God's glory. Every one of those desires are predicated upon one thing - my longing to know Him. I love Moses.... after dropping his life to a whole new level of relationship with God, He walked away from that moment and began to interact with other people and they were blown away. He radiated! He radiated the presence, essence, and person of God.

Maybe that's why it's so critical that we not ask for the 'stuff' from God until we simply ask for Him. He's enough..... When He is well known, the stuff comes. Reminds me a bit of Jesus words when He said, "seek first God.... just God.... and everything else you need will be properly added." (Matt 6.33 - mark's very loose translation)

So, O impassioned peoples..... let's blow through life radiating the presence of God. Maybe you will be cruising through life and somebody in the Publix aisle 11 will say, 'you have been with Christ..... His presence is all over you!" Wouldn't that be sweet?!

I love you guys. I thank my God for you. Feel free to add your commentary to the weekend by clicking on "comments" below. Enjoy today. Enjoy Christ.

Mark