Why It’s Our Time
Why It's Our Time
Hello, my dear friend, it is so good to have you at the table. There is so much going on in the world at the moment, the past few weeks have felt like a bit of a time warp. The time has passed quickly and slowly all at the same time. Have you felt that contradiction? Well, you know the process here at this table; grab your favourite mug and a hot drink and let’s take a seat and have a chat. This week I would like to talk with you about Why It’s Our Time.
A Time Of Great Noise
We are living in a time that most of us can honestly say we have not experienced before. The world is chaotic, the sense is uncertain and the messages more mixed than ever. Social Media and technology allows us to have 24-hour access to information from all over the world. We are bombarded with many voices, all telling us what to think, say and do. The voices are loud, soft, demanding, insistent, compassionate, wise, and leading us in every different direction. Our minds and spirits were not created to take in or process such clamour. The noise is great!
And Time Stood Still - Not
We would like to think that at a time like this everything would shut down, like a safety valve that shuts off when the pressure rises above a certain level. That time would stand still and we would be able to stop, process, consider and make our decisions. Unfortunately, that is not how it works. The world moves on and time does not and will not standstill. As I mentioned earlier, the days seem to be moving fast and slowly all at the same time. I seem to have all the time in the world one minute and feel like I am running out of time in the next minute. The pace is fast all around us and yet, in the day to day, many things have ground to a halt.
From Whence Commeth My Help
As a Christian, when the time refuses to stand still and the world goes on even though it appears to be spinning slightly off balance and a bit out of control, I have to remind myself “from when cometh my help” Psalm 121:1 The remainder of the Psalm holds the answer.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121: 2-8 KJV
Forgive me, but sometimes things just sound better in the Old King James Version.
Direction For The Times
I find great comfort as well as strategy and direction in the Word of God. My Bible has been a faithful companion for me since I was a young child. Dog-eared and highlighted, underlined with many notes on the side, it has been a place of solace, encouragement and direction in my life. Today is no different. Different circumstances, different voices coming at me, but my anchor holds and my foundation remains firm in the Word of God.
Contradicting Voices
I have been looking through the Word for direction. It is important for me, at all times, and especially in times of crisis and chaos, that I remain a light and a witness in the world. I will never be successful at that by listening to the many and contradicting voices I am hearing all around me right now. The only way that I know to remain faithful is to go to the Word and hear what the Father has to say to me and for me in these times.
Conforming Vs. Transforming
Romans 12:2 tells us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
We are not called to conform, we are not called to become part of the herd; we are not called to conforming behaviour. Rather, we are called to stand out and be different; transforming behaviour. Where does that transforming behaviour start? By the renewing of our minds. How do we renew our minds? The Word of God is a great place to start. Get into the presence of Jesus and allow Him to speak peace, love, mercy, grace, healing and righteousness into your mind. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
When Fear Comes
As Christians, we believe that God is ultimately in control. He has this. We believe that He will work all things together for our good. Romans 8:28 (Not that all things are good but that He will use them for good in our lives). And yet, we still will experience feelings of uncertainty and unsettledness and sometimes even fear. Let’s be honest. It is not that we should not have those feelings (feelings are not wrong or right, they just are), it is what we choose to do with those feelings.
What Does Transforming Behaviour Look Like?
So what does transforming behaviour look like? It looks calm, composed, and wise. It looks like a light amid shadows. It looks like a helping hand when other hands have shrunk back. It looks like unconditional love. It looks like a word of encouragement when there seems to be no words at all. In short, it looks different from the behaviour you see the majority engaging in.
Turning The World Upside Down
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Acts 17:6 In Acts, Paul and Silas were preaching in Thessalonica to a large group of Greeks who were quite taken with the Gospel message. The Jews, however, becoming jealous, stirred up the crowds and brought Jason and some of the brethren to the rulers of the city. They stated, “these who have turned the world upside down have come here too” and further accused them.
I love that they accused them of turning the world upside down. I believe that is what transforming behaviour looks like. They were preaching the Gospel, a new message, a message of hope and redemption and grace amid a society that focused on the law, rules and dependence on a never-ending sacrificial system.
We are called to “turn the world upside down”. Our behaviour should mirror that of the early Church – behaviour that lines up with the message we preach – behaviour that looks like hope and redemption and grace.
When The Church Became A Building
The early Church was scattered and spread out over the entire world. They preached in the synagogues but they also preached in homes, on the street, in the marketplace, at the city gate. They did not just speak to their own, the Jews, they shared with anyone they encountered and anyone that would listen. The Church never referred to a building. The Church was the people. The people were the Church. Today, when you say “the Church,” most people think in the context of a building. 4 walls, seats, music, liturgy, tradition, rules and regulations. We have failed to go out and share the Gospel message with those around us, those who we encounter in our day-to-day life. Instead, we invite them to come to us, to sit within our 4 walls, listen to our music and to adhere to our liturgy and traditions. We have boxed ourselves in and invited others to come and join us in our limiting box, rather than leading the way, taking the Good News to others and teaching them the truth about living abundantly, which requires living outside of the box. Why are we inviting people into a building and telling them how we believe they are to live their lives? Why are we not taking the Gospel to them, allowing them to encounter Jesus for themselves and allow Him to speak directly into their lives! An experience outdoes an argument any day!
The Real Church - The Body of Christ
Every body is made up of parts- hands, feet, arms, legs, a head, and a torso. Each part of the body has a function and a purpose. When any part of the body is not functioning, dysfunction happens in the body as a whole. The body must work together to fulfill its purpose. The church is not a 4-walled box; it is the Body of Christ. We are His hands and feet in the world. The real Church is not stationary; it walks around amidst the crowds, day in and day out. We, the individuals, are the Church.
It's Our Time
The world is in a unique situation. Each day new restrictions are being put into place with regards to the gathering of crowds. Social distancing is the word of the day. Our Church boxes are being shut down one at a time. Our small groups of likeminded people are being cancelled. As the Church, we are in the process of grieving life, as we know it. Nevertheless, let me tell you that I believe that it’s our time. All things are being shaken. We are in a refining process. The early Church suffered persecution, resulting in the scattering of the apostles. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8:4 There was a shaking.
We are in a shaking now! I believe the Church as we know it is once again experiencing a scattering. What an opportunity to reset the way we see ourselves and the way the world sees the Church. We are being forced, in a sense, to figure out how to be the Church individually, in our families, in our neighbourhoods, in our marketplaces, in a time when corporate gathering is restricted. What an opportunity!
What I Know
I know for sure that this is a new season and a new time and that we, as the Church, need to step up to the plate and begin walking out the walk that we have been talking for so long. We speak of a gospel of grace, mercy, unconditional love and redemption. So, let us, as individual members of the Body of Christ, start walking in grace, mercy, unconditional love and redemption. Let us begin to share out stories of our own encounters with Jesus. It is time to talk about where we were when He found us, what He has brought us from and what He has brought us to. It is time to get honest with the people.
What if the world saw the light of Jesus in us? We need to be showing those we encounter a calm, confident, wise demeanour while acknowledging the reality of our situation. Others should be so moved by the way we are presenting that they begin to ask, “How can you walk in that way during this situation?” We need to be the most generous people out there. We need to be checking on others, offering practical assistance and encouragement. Our Social Media feed should be the most positive and realistic; providing sound, accurate, up to date information and words of comfort, encouragement, and practical every day, useful, resources and advice. Now is a perfect time to learn to use technology that encourages community. Zoom, Skype, Facebook Messenger are just some platforms that can be used to bring people together virtually.
Let’s lead the pack. Blaze the trials. Show the world how to be more than victorious, to be overcomers.
This is a world we have not yet seen. Let’s get out there and begin to mould and shape it rather than allowing it to mould and shape us. It is all about transforming behaviour rather than conforming behaviour.
It’s Our Time!
Until Next Time
Well, my dear friend, my cup is empty. It is time, once again, to part ways. Thanks so much for taking the time to sit at the table with me. I so enjoy our time together!
Your Turn To Comment
As always, I love to hear from you. All voices are welcome at this table. Be sure to join in on the conversation by adding your comments in the comment box below.
Be In Touch
I am at the kitchen table every day; drop by anytime for a chat! You can find me on:
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Until next time,
From my heart to yours!
laurie
