Rich..........

Musings from the weekend encounter at Emmanuel and Philippians 4.10-12.... It was pretty sweet to recognize that I/ we are rich. We have been given this magnitude of wealth in order to bless the world around us. For me, the most ridiculous statement this weekend was made in the Rob Bell video. He said that it would take approx. 20 billion dollars to meet worldwide basic needs (clean water, shelter, clothing, medical needs). He, then, said that Americans consume that $ figure in ice cream each year. I am compelled.
I do believe that God has blessed Emmanuel and God has invited us to be a huge part of His solution... to meet basic needs and to step into that vacuum and introduce the ultimate need in the Person of Jesus Christ. In fact, I think (and I am wide open to being wrong) that we make this huge God-dent in this earth by bringing water, food, clothing, and a passion for Jesus Christ simultaneously. It seems to me that we are often zealous... impassioned... for sharing this gospel with a verbal message or a video or a tract.... and people need clean drinking water! (remember, the gospel is GOOD NEWS!) I think that people are waiting for a cup of water or a bowl of soup and THAT is good news to them. They are waiting for medical relief or a roof over their head. They are waiting for a blanket when it's cold and providing THOSE needs is good news. When we have shared in meeting practical needs, then we have the thrill of sharing why.... we, then actually have been granted the right to tell of our reckless, deeply impassioned love relationship with this man named Jesus Christ. Because we love Him so deeply, we actually believe that He wants us to be bearers of good news in this earth.
At the point 0f meeting physical/practical needs, I would guess that hearts, minds, hopes, and passions would be turned on to hear about Jesus Christ. The reality that it is FAR better than soup or a blanket... it is the beautiful truth that Christ longs to take up residence in our lives. That the living God will park His very life in my life... our lives. That is amazing. Ridiculous. And that truth leaves me deeply impassioned. Let's live our lives under compulsion for His fame in this earth!
Our whole capacity to live out the mystery of Christ hinges upon our contentment in Him. Life is not about Christ +.... Christ + someone with you... or different circumstances around you... or an improved view of you......or some position given to you.... or more things owned by you.... or some label on you..... Paul actually says that our capacity to leave a deep God-dent in this earth happens when we discover and live out the truth that Christ is enough. I am in Christ and He is in me and we are hidden in God... we are immersed in this beautiful God-fest and that is enough. There is nothing to add to that equation. Honestly, that truth and reality fly's in the face of everything that I hear, read, or am told. Maybe that's why I suffer from discontent so often. My heart really doesn't long for more things... accolades.... plaudits....even though I keep stuffing them. In reality, my heart yearns for more of Christ. He is enough.
Maybe my capacity to live out this Christ life is found in this mystery.... it's Christ in me, my hope of glory (Col 1.27) Maybe that is enough. Maybe......

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Enjoy Thanksgiving!

For the Glory,
Mark