I used to think I was a naturally organized person. When I left my parents' house to go to college, all of my earthly belongings fit in the back seat of a minivan. Since then, I have moved 12 times (that I can remember) in the past five years. Moving is the only thing that keeps me organized.
The latest "move" is forcing me to be organized again. All of the supplies I need for ministry this summer are crammed into three duffel bags, with a combined weight roughly equal to my own. My room is still a disaster area, full of books, sheet music, school supplies and teacher clothes. In my organizing frenzy, I also rediscovered my crate of old journals.
This time last year, I was preparing for a construction missions trip to Clovis, CA. My neighbor Robyn gave me a devotional journal for the summer, which led me to Mark 1:17.
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17 NIV
I realized last summer, that this invitation is about more than changing careers. It's a call to action. Jesus asked some fishermen to trade in their nets for a greater mission. He was really asking them to change their hearts. Change their paradigms.
I realize that I need to go to where Christ is going. He wants me to walk to Him, walk with Him. The whole concept of following revolves around going.
So, this year like every other year, I'll go. This summer, I'm leaving the country. Some years, I've left for another town, another state. Last year, God asked me to go back home, which is the hardest thing I've had to do so far. But I wouldn't trade this year for the world. God's that good.
(You can read about the adventures of following at http://cotnglobalinterns2009.blogspot.com all summer long.)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
He IS THAT GOOD! I have been reading that same passage in Mark! I've been pondering what Jesus' voice sounded like when he said, "Follow ME!"
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