Monday, March 5, 2007

Magical Days

What has following Jesus looked like in your story lately? I've pondered my own answer to this question lately, or at least, whenever I pull out my journal. I love Jesus, but do I walk like Him? If I love Him, I walk with Him, and will walk like Him. Can it really be that simple? I mean was this the goal Jesus had in mind for His followers? If so, we have problems. The question becomes, how did Jesus walk? For if we are truly followers, then we will be the answer to that question. Church becomes a group of people living out the faith, journeying toward God together and taking part in the work of God on earth. Wasn't that a summary of the life of Jesus?

Hanging out tonight with guys who were smoking and drinking reminded me of where we ought to live out these stories. And being around guys who visibly have pain and hardships in the same ways I do reminded me that we are both human. Church is a gathering, not a center. It is a gathering of the followers of Jesus scattered about in the world in which they live and are members of. Church is the expression of the heartbeat of the work God is doing around us. The work happens as we seek to understand and live out His story for the sake of our friends, and thus be an expression of the healing touch of God.

This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. One thing I've figured out about the body of Christ lately is that sometimes following Christ means seeing Him in other people. I saw Him this weekend. I saw Him in Kenny. I saw Him in Corey. And what would you do when you're ambition is to become like Him? Appreciate, and imitate. Imagine that. Imitating each other because we see Jesus in each other. Wow.

I experienced a magical day or two this weekend. God was winking at me. I'm trying hard to wink back.

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