A Passion to Illuminate....

There is far more to life for us -- Philippians 3.20 (msg)


It's a pretty amazing feeling to close out a series of thoughts about who we illuminate! This weekend was sweet... the songs... the passion... the release of our joy in God. Yeah, it was good. It's also profound when we share life together with the emmanuel family. There is hurt (a loss of a dad in the past few weeks).... gain (family members embracing the truth of Christ)... there is challenge ('this series of thoughts have really compelled toward Christ').... status quo (some of us will remain as we are.... ).... and there is this longing to be consumed for that which is ultimate (many will never be the same!)

I think the most challenging part of this weekend was watching the cross and the towers video. You know, Paul really wanted Timothy to be 'spot on' at all times. Paul said to Timothy, be very clear about your hope and your passion because you will not know when season hits and God gives you an opportunity to shed light upon His majesty. Watching the 'cross and towers' video, it really struck me that it matters who I illuminate. It really is a joy to guide others toward the cross and it leaves me under compulsion to fall in love with God and to be prepped to share of that deeply impassioned love relationship. I don't think I was prepared for 9/11 five years ago. I am not sure any of us were. What I do want to be prepared for and to be crystal clear in my life about is who I illuminate. Then, I am stepping into a moment of highest high or lowest low with the path of my life leading directly toward Christ!

Maybe that's it.....I want to make clear the path of my life. When you follow me, you will find Christ. A sentence I spoke at the last two services this weekend really struck me. I don't want anyone to be searching for Christ and to stumble over me trying to find Him. What a horrifying thought! God, let my life cut a straight trail toward You!

So, we are about something radical... illuminating someone because at the center of everything we have talked about SOMEBODY DIED AND SOMEBODY WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD. It is not a cakewalk what we are about… not a nice moral addition to life… not a few principles on the table and we will be okay…. We are in a movement that was started when someone died and someone was raised from the dead… We are a generation who live our lives in around or about that very reality…. What will that look like… Will we be a radical people of hope? Will we will illuminate someone who died and someone who was raised from the dead? This world is desperate for us to cast great light on Jesus Christ!

Illuminate.... add to the commentary by clicking on comments below. Enjoy an amazing week.

For the Glory,
Mark