I have been on a great journey over the last few years. God has taken me from the structured Modern American Church system and placed me on a path of Reformation outside of that system. I left the denominations, church hierarchy, the system and methods of American church. In the process He has been tearing down all of my preconceptions of how He intended the Church to minister in the world.
As I have surrendered the things of the world I have discovered more clearly the things of God. The house is gone and so are the car, the IRA, any savings, and a paycheck. For a period of time a shower and reliable heat were missing. Those things were removed from me for a reason. I needed to see clearly how God works His plans. I look back now and I see how He has allowed me to obtain and maintain so many things that I looked upon as blessings. In reality they were clouds that kept me from seeing clearly His hand at work.
He planted a vision in my heart that was so big it scared many of those I shared it with. Many said I was crazy and some still say that. This vision was very specific. It outlined the place, the work and the result. One very important thing was missing. That was the method. Until I had all of my worldly possessions removed I could not see clearly enough to grasp the method. It was outside of my ability to understand. How could a modern American raised in the culture of self-indulgence, ever understand the power of sharing our resources among a group of sold out Christ followers who have no desire to own the things of the world?
Those things I once saw as blessings, were things that perish. I now see them as merely tools God uses to accomplish His vision. Specifically the vision He gave me to steward. The difference is huge. If the thing doesn’t move the vision forward, I don’t want it. If the thing moves the vision forward I can rest assured that God has a plan for getting it for me to use. When I have those things I once took for granted like a shower and heat, I rejoice daily and I am filled with joy over the blessing of them. When they are removed from me I continue to pursue the vision and look to see more clearly what God is doing.
The biggest blessing I have found is in the group of people that are struggling to walk this path with me. They too have given up the desire for things. They throw their resources together and watch as God builds His work through this vision of reformation and renewal. It is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. That is not because the work is hard but because the surrender is hard. Being willing to truly forsake the things of the world in order to participate in the work of God was only a concept I gave lip service to a few years ago. Now I can say that He has taught me how to be content in whatever circumstance I may find myself in. I can truly embrace an often-quoted passage of Scripture in a way that was once just shallow. It is one of the most often quoted and out of context passages I know.
It is Philippians 4:12-13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Understanding and living this verse is a requirement for our missionaries. God has made it possible for us to learn this as we minister. What a blessing it is to know God in such a way.
