Jumping in with both feet

Recently Bob and a team member were going to take a look at a particular neighborhood and spend some time in prayer. They were considering a possible church planting project where God might be ready to do something. Bob asked this team member about his level of commitment to church planting. The man was initially taken aback by the question. Bob said, “The level of commitment is important. You have to be absolutely, totally convinced that God has called you to do this, because there will be times you will be discouraged and knocked down. At those times, it’s only being absolutely convinced that God has called you that will allow you to get back up.”

That turned out to be a prophetic word, as this team member met a challenge shortly after that conversation, and that challenge ultimately helped him consider and then strengthen his resolve and commitment to church planting. A timely reminder that if we’re involved in this kind of kingdom work, we will face opposition. Therefore, we need to reflect on God’s call and clarify our commitment.

Letting God be God

A woman in ViaCordis recently brought a concern to her coach (everyone in ViaCordis has a coach). She has been developing friendships with several of her neighbors in her apartment building. She has been engaging them in conversation in the hallways, inviting them in for coffee, has been present in their lives and allowed them to be present in hers. People have been surprised: no one in our building invites us in for coffee! She senses a loneliness and isolation, and this is her way of being a redemptive presence in the lives of those around her.

Yet this woman shared with her coach, “I feel like there needs to be more. This isn’t concrete enough. I’m not making disciples. I’m just showing kindness and hospitality.” She has shared the gospel in bits and pieces, but that has not been met with much receptivity. One woman in her building is a Muslim, and the woman from ViaCordis went over to her place when she accidentally locked herself out of the apartment. The Muslim woman invited her in, served coffee, and said, “You know what, I trust you more than I trust my own people.” This is a woman who wants nothing to do with Christianity, yet the sincerity with which a Christian has approached her has meant a lot.

Her coach said, “You don’t need to be doing anything more concrete other than being there and continuing to be in relationship with her and others. You sticking with her will speak more loudly into her life than anything you could share theologically. You’re being obedient, you’re listening to God, God is opening doors. Just continue to give and see where that leads you. Other people’s receptivity is not up to you. What’s up to you is how you love and serve others.”

Too often in western Christianity, we often devise our own systems of righteousness. We feel the need to intentionally invite someone to a Bible study when they’ve expressed no interest. Or we feel the need to press for spiritual conversation where there is no openness. When we meet the requirements of our own system, we feel good about ourselves, and climb our own ladders. Yet it doesn’t further the kingdom, and often sets it back. We don’t need to go down that road of setting up our own system of righteousness. We just need to be faithful, look for naturally-occurring opportunities to share Jesus, and let God be God.