On the cusp of a nervous breakdown (the good ole’ paradigm shift they try to prepare you for after “leaving" the mission field… truth is you never really leave)… I had an idea, so simple and revolutionary, I believe it to be a gift from God that I must share with others. Whether you are in the trenches (or wadi — if you enjoy Jewish imagery… also my jam), climbing your way out before the next flood (like myself), or standing firm on the solid rock… this is for you. This is for all of us!
I offer you today, my experiment with three daily questions that are setting me free. In a world with so many resources (books, podcasts, videos, sermon series…), I find it incredibly helpful to look to the source of all inspiration... GOD revealed through the scriptures. So, here's my attempt to unpack these ancient truths revealed to me. These three questions attempt to serve as an introspective tool that encompasses the greatest commandments to love God and your neighbor. They are most effective when asked day-to-day, even moment-to-moment.
1. Am I connected to THE VINE?
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
This primary question will shape the rest, so we must start here.
What does it mean to abide?
This primary question will shape the rest, so we must start here.
What does it mean to abide?
A simplified look at Strong’s provides the English synonyms: dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry for.
We must ask ourselves, am I abiding in Christ and him in me? Am I present with him, remaining in him, enduring with him?
If my answer is no, the consequences are severe. This means I am unable to accomplish anything good and lasting (also expounded in the Parable of the Sowers - a fantastic image!). The text says apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Nothing is a pretty terrifying. We must repent.
We must ask ourselves, am I abiding in Christ and him in me? Am I present with him, remaining in him, enduring with him?
If my answer is no, the consequences are severe. This means I am unable to accomplish anything good and lasting (also expounded in the Parable of the Sowers - a fantastic image!). The text says apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Nothing is a pretty terrifying. We must repent.
(See Question 3)
A confident yes to this question results in gratitude, as I continue to draw my strength and life from Christ, which propels me to the next question.
A confident yes to this question results in gratitude, as I continue to draw my strength and life from Christ, which propels me to the next question.
2. Am I sharing my life with others?
This quote had been around for awhile: “The Holy Spirit is in you as a river, not a lake.” In my own words, his life should not be simply contained within me, rather it should flow from me.
This idea is derived from several biblical concepts; my favorite is Sukkot. At this Festival of Booths, Jesus boldly exclaimed at the climax of the religious festival, “If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:38)
(For further reading on this marvelous event: check out this article.)
Marty Solomon explains in his discipleship podcast (BEMA… it’s the best) that many readers miss this major revelation. Jesus says that living water will flow from us, his followers. He invites us to be his partners, quenching a thirsty world. That’s beautiful… and convicting.
Marty Solomon explains in his discipleship podcast (BEMA… it’s the best) that many readers miss this major revelation. Jesus says that living water will flow from us, his followers. He invites us to be his partners, quenching a thirsty world. That’s beautiful… and convicting.
This question is vital to our health as the Church. The Christian life is a shared life, as we enter the dance of Our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Kingdom life is rich in community. Without it, we will never experience the fullness of life Christ intended for his body. All “body parts” depend on one another to carry out their function.
All of this comes at a great cost, in a society ridden with selfishness and isolation. We must be prepared to even give up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of Jesus. He promises us blessing… and persecution. (Matthew 19:29) Immersion in community is often a painful, stripping experience, as we learn to die to our preferences. But the reward is growing into the likeness of Christ and becoming his forever Bride.
So we must ask this question: am I sharing my life with others? To what extent? Am I missing out on the blessing (and refinement… and persecution) of the shared life?
All of this comes at a great cost, in a society ridden with selfishness and isolation. We must be prepared to even give up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of Jesus. He promises us blessing… and persecution. (Matthew 19:29) Immersion in community is often a painful, stripping experience, as we learn to die to our preferences. But the reward is growing into the likeness of Christ and becoming his forever Bride.
So we must ask this question: am I sharing my life with others? To what extent? Am I missing out on the blessing (and refinement… and persecution) of the shared life?
Again, if the answer is no, we must repent.
3. Where do I need to repent? ... and also, where do WE (the Church) need to repent?
As John the Baptist prepared the Way of Jesus, he called God’s people to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Cross references include Matthew 3:8, Luke 3:8, Acts 26:20)
Repentance is more than regret, it leads to actual change of mind and action. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
If I am not connected to the vine, abiding in Christ… I must repent.
If I am not sharing my life with others, if I am withholding from participation as the body of Christ… I must repent.
A great temptation now would be to produce great efforts towards trying harder and being better. But remember John 15:5: apart from Christ we can do nothing. Repentance seems to be an act of faith, possible by agreeing with the movement and grace of God, resulting in change as we return back to the pursuit of shalom. In simplicity, we need HELP! We recognize our depravity and need for Jesus, and ask in faith that the Holy Spirit will lead us into repentance and show us HOW. All of this requires creating space.
If we do not have space or capacity for God, how can we expect him to fill it?
God delights in filling spaces. We see this in the scriptures through the tabernacle, the temple, and now, IN US, his people.
If we create space for God, taking time to be alone and in gatherings of his people, we will grow in our discernment of his voice. From glory to glory, he will reveal our areas of growth and refinement. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
If we do not have space or capacity for God, how can we expect him to fill it?
God delights in filling spaces. We see this in the scriptures through the tabernacle, the temple, and now, IN US, his people.
If we create space for God, taking time to be alone and in gatherings of his people, we will grow in our discernment of his voice. From glory to glory, he will reveal our areas of growth and refinement. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
The bonus question to marry all three of these is:
How can I enter into this (abiding, sharing, repenting) more fully, right now?
Let us move from awareness to repentance to intimacy and partnership… and we will bear fruit.
I hope and pray these three questions will be a powerful examination tool in your communion with Christ and others. Personally, these questions have simplified and magnified so much ugliness and beauty within my heart… I cannot ignore the power of honest questions and his kind discipline which leads me back to himself.
I suggest starting by asking yourself these questions once a day, and then move into reflecting day and night. As you begin to find rhythm, you may find yourself asking these questions more naturally, multiple times a day, which is the goal because our lives are so dynamic.
Please let me know if you try this discipline and benefit from it. Or if you have any suggestions and feedback. Together, we are better.
Let us move from awareness to repentance to intimacy and partnership… and we will bear fruit.
I hope and pray these three questions will be a powerful examination tool in your communion with Christ and others. Personally, these questions have simplified and magnified so much ugliness and beauty within my heart… I cannot ignore the power of honest questions and his kind discipline which leads me back to himself.
I suggest starting by asking yourself these questions once a day, and then move into reflecting day and night. As you begin to find rhythm, you may find yourself asking these questions more naturally, multiple times a day, which is the goal because our lives are so dynamic.
Please let me know if you try this discipline and benefit from it. Or if you have any suggestions and feedback. Together, we are better.