Sunday, May 9, 2010

meeting God in places

Late June 2003, I spent two weeks living in the house on the right.

Not just me, but twenty-some high school students who wanted to learn more about God. (And the eight college students who were there as chaperones.)We were part of Credo, a youth theology camp put on by Multnomah Bible College. We listened to hours of lectures each day from Multnomah professors, enjoyed sweet times of solitude at the house or down at Cannon beach, and prayed and sang A LOT.

This place is special to my heart.

That summer, God showed me the deep importance of loving others. He made it so clear through His word that I am to love Him by loving others. My life changed in this place.

There are many other places that God has changed my life. And the lives of others.

The last few weeks, I've heard people talk about needing to go to certain places to meet God. Seems backwards, at least in my theology. Doesn't God meet us where we are? He's everywhere. That's how I read the Bible, right?

The two time shares in Cannon Beach have a special place in my story. But there's nothing special about the place. God's Spirit is just as real in Cannon Beach as in Kitsap county. Just as real in Barahona, or Pullman, or anywhere.

Galatians 5:25 reads, "Since we live in the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." If we are truly connected to the Spirit of God, we'll keep in step. We will listen. Obey. Change and grow. And we'll go to the places the Spirit leads. Those places will be special because God has led us there.

I praise God for chasing me down on Earth. If I had to chase Him, the story wouldn't end so well.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6


Praise the God who chases us, who meets us where we are.

1 comment:

  1. UnknownMay 11, 2010 at 8:16 PM

    I remember when you returned from there, Laura. I also remember when you were a Jr High girl in OEFC sunday school, and when you taught me new songs you had learned in Pullman. I remember you confessing your selfishness to me, and sharing your wonder at Eph 5:10. From my perspective, in spite of your particular, momentary jerks, you have always wanted righteousness, and for that you are blessed. I think that's because Jesus drew you to Himself, for reasons of His own. It helps me to see it in you, because it happens in me too. You are a blessing to me in my particular, momentary jerks also. Thanks for being a piece of Jesus for me to see.

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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.

hey guys