Seasons Change, People Change

One of the grassroot pursuits in our personal journey of discovery and transformation over the past ten years has been to reconnect with God's natural design for our lives. Simultaneously, we endeavored to disconnect from the design we put on our own lives, or that others try to put on our own lives. In this pursuit, we began to realize that God Himself is organic in his very nature. We noticed that Jesus often uses organic growth, or death, as illustrations in His teachings (i.e. vine and branches, fig tree, sowing seeds, etc...). Really, throughout all of scripture, natural design is used frequently to describe godly living. Consequently, we set out more often into his creative wilderness to search for His design for our lives. Out in His creation, we became more aware of how seasons drastically affect growth and/or cause death. Just as weather seasons change affecting natural growth, so the seasons of life change affecting personal growth. Questions started to surface. How will we react to changing seasons? How will we handle a long, drawn out winter? What about intense heat and draught? What kind of fruit will we bear come Spring? Will we embrace the seasons of life and let God do His work no matter what?

In my life, I have learned much from the seasons. At times I fight to embrace the season that is upon me because it's hard! I'll try to just ride it out until the grass is greener. The trouble is, I can't control the season, and the grass is not always greener. God will keep me in a season until I embrace it and learn what I need to learn. But He usually doesn't let me go with just knowledge of the matter, but heart and life transformation. In relationships, and as a leader, it is difficult to see and let others grow through these seasons. And I've noticed that, given the choice, people usually choose to deny the season and not embrace God's transforming work which is also difficult as a leader. There is much cost to discipleship and it is a narrow road, but embracing the seasons makes life full and real. Reconnecting with God's natural design for life requires seasonal life. Accepting and loving the seasons results in becoming more like Jesus. I want to be able to say what Paul said:

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." -Phil. 4:12-13

As the new season (summer) is upon us, I hope you consider the season of life you find yourself in, embrace it and allow God to conduct His transforming power in you until the next season arrives!

Also read Ecclesiastes 3 and check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6jhbtDUZE

Slavery

The American way of life is sought after as an ideal by many. What is so attractive about the American way? Freedom, opportunity, choices, entrepreneurialism, success, independence, etc… are all common words used to express this way of life. These words sound great, and in themselves are truly good things if not for the fact that we have all been created to be dependent. It’s difficult for a nicotine addict to quite smoking and not replace that dependence with something else (chewing gum or caffeine for example). Addictions are a great example, but even other habits that are broken are most often replaced with a different habit. It’s in our very nature to be dependent on something- slaves to something or someone. This is the stance that the writer of Romans (most say it was Paul) takes when it comes to Jesus. Speaking to people who were living entirely according to the Old Testament law, he writes about the new Way:

But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.
-Romans 7:6-

In America, there is strong spirit at work which is loud and inline with our sinful and dependent nature. This Spirit of the World is urging all people to do more, buy more, make more, keep it, and depend on themselves. It is an overwhelming spirit of consumerism and greed that has slowly and consistently taken over not only the world we live in, but the church in America.

Contrary to the Spirit of the World and the restless activity of the western Christ culture, the voice of God is softly calling “Sleeper arise! Do more by doing less; grow larger by growing smaller.”

And let not your behavior be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing
and complete purpose of God.
- Romans -

”Do more by doing less; grow larger by growing smaller” is not an inconsistent, absurd or even illogical statement. These principles are mysteries based on the economy of God, an economy where the meek not the dynamic will be the keepers of earth and where the giving away of one’s life results in life everlasting (Matthew 5). It is a system of living where the first are last, the weak are strong, and the poor are truly wealthy, where no sin is accounted and no one is forgotten. It is a Christ-culture that is counter-cultural, a Spirit of God culture that is in the world but resistant to the restless activity of the World. Romans expresses how our slavery and dependence to the world and sin is replaced by slavery to Christ’s righteousness (Rom. 6:18).

As the Spirit of the World continues to strengthen, it is vital to realize that this spirit is a created being without creative authority that was cast- down ages ago. He does have authority to redesign Creation into something like its own misshapen image and has learned to master the art of directing man’s free will toward his own. Old and strong he is, yet no match for the Ancient of Days.

Friends, if you haven’t already, I urge you to turn fully toward Christ, not intermixing Christ and the World. Too long has American Christianity softened toward this spirit and allowed itself to dip slowly and ever deeper into his desires. I see this too often in myself, and in those around me. Life in this world is difficult, there are many choices and opportunities that deal with immediate self gratification. Yet these things are temporary and unfulfilling. Jesus is Life, and is Living Water. The Bible says if you taste His living water you’ll never thirst again- spiritually. Ask yourself the difficult question: Am I a slave to the world or to Christ? Jesus says:

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
-Matthew 11:28-30-

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
-Galations 5:1-

Overwhelmed and unsure where to start? I’ll be writing on that shortly Lord willing.

This comes from a stirring inside me to write more. Some of it was written a while ago by Dezi and I. Please share your thoughts, ideas, comments, questions, additions, etc… I think it would be great to extend a little more online community and authenticity with each other. Feel free to pass this on to any of your relational contacts.