Wednesday, March 26, 2008

"don't run...be moved"

"We are part of such a restless generation. Always moving, going, seeking then finding, and choosing to seek more. We are not a generation of finding roots in one place. 


Because we find roots in every place. 

To be moving is to be grounded. It seems like a strange paradox and there are definitely some people who abuse this freedom in order to run. The true movers in this generation don't run. They constantly seek the will of God and beg to be used wherever they are. On the other hand, runners constantly seek a will of their own and use God when necessary. But a mover waits on God. The mover allows their life to bear fruit always. 

And leaving never means running

It means obedience, or searching to find, or chasing the trail that the feet in front of you left behind. It involves adventure, but mostly change. They do not see life as something to defend or be ashamed of. So they welcome change. And this change usually takes place from the inside-out. As the mover becomes more aware of who lives inside of them, change happens. Only upon awareness. The runner only welcomes external change. In hopes that it will one day change the inside. I know too many people like this. 

And I actually used to be a runner. Until I became aware of what I was not. 

I was not a mover. I was not a true friend. I was not an inspiration or even inspired. I was not honest with anyone. I was not afraid of God, just everything around me. I was not a leader. I was not using what He gave me. I was not perfect. I was not right. I was not aware. 

"Sometimes you have to get rid of 'God' in order to find God." -Anthony DeMello, Awareness

This statement became truth in my life. Sometimes you have to get rid of your knowledge of God in order to be aware of who God is in you. And you have to find out what you are capable of without Him in order to be aware of what you are incapable of without Him. 

This is the  transformation from runner to mover. 

So here I am. Rooted in one of the most religiously over-saturated cultures in this country. Being prepared to move. Watching as people around me are being moved by the heart of Jesus. Whether that is down the street, or down three states. They move. Following the movement of Jesus. They are planting churches, adopting children, starting new organizations, inspiring young adults, agreeing to be moved right where God has them, loving the unlovely, stepping in to fill someone else's shoes, writing books, serving two year olds, traveling to Cambodia, writing songs, being vulnerable, serving their families, becoming selfless, never awaiting approval of man and always seeking the face of Jesus. 

They are men and women, married and single. They are my friends, my neighbors, my leaders, my mentors, my family. They pray for wisdom. They respond to injustice with action. They love people. They are great people. They have something to say only because they are aware that God has written the words on their lips and on their hearts. They are true disciples. 

So don't run...be moved."


Friday, March 21, 2008

"...a King and a Kingdom."