Being Deliberate about the Essentials

"The most important thing we do is who we are." 
Eugene Peterson

Take a few minutes and think about what that really says. 

Today in our Spiritual Discipline time we were given the following few paragraphs by Scott Shaum of Barnabas International to read.  Don't rush through them.  Savor them.  Ponder them.  Do they speak to you like they spoke to me today? 

"Above all else, God is about relational intimacy.  In a seminal teaching to His disciples before He died, Jesus said, 'He that abides in me and I in Him will bear much fruit.  For without me you can do nothing (John 15:15).'  In my results focused western culture, we always gravitate toward the fruit.  We want to see results.  I see multiple problems with that being our initial focus.  I will list two.

First, Jesus tells us to focus on abiding, not thee fruit.  My responsibility is to abide; stay close to Christ at all costs.  It is the Vine that provides the fruit-bearing power through the various branches.  If we are more concerned about ministry numbers and programs then we are concerned about the wrong thing, as good as they may be.  Jesus' command is clear:  abide.

Second, all this focus on results is a major distraction to what God is really after in us.  Eugene Peterson in an interview stated, "Our primary problem is distraction.  And for those of us in ministry it is the distraction of the work."  God's primary desire is our character transformation into the image of Christ.  Peterson declares, "The most important thing we do is who we are!

So with all this distraction and busyness all around us, we need to be deliberate about the essentials.  What are the essentials?  How about leisurely time over the word in depth study (not mere devotions or ministry task accomplishment - like preparing for teaching)?  Or unhurried chunks of time in prayer?  And 2-3 hours a week set aside for reflection on what is really going on in our life?  A true Sabbath?  If we neglect these essentials we are taking part in the cancer of distraction and busyness that will eat out the heart of who we are and erode intimacy with God.  And we will certainly lack true spiritual authority.

Each of us must determine what these essentials look like in our lives - time, place, focus.  But they are not optional.  I encourage you to take a pause for a time of reflection and planning.  How can you deepen your prayer life and add times of personal, deep study in the word?  Most importantly, how will you take deliberate steps toward deepening your intimacy with your Father in the coming months?  It is my firm conviction that these are truly non-negotiable, especially for a leader."

It has been a good time here.  We have begun to accomplish some things and are beginning to feel like we have an idea of what is ahead of us.  Tomorrow we will have a formal ceremony appointing us as missionaries (still trying to get used to saying that).

Also - the house is being shown at 11:30 tomorrow.  Say a prayer that this might be the one.

Thanks again for your support!