On Process, Community, and the I AM  

So in between doing laundry and school stuff I thought I'd post a little sumthin, sumthin. Ususally when I do the whole blog thing, I have a set topic or idea in mind and have an idea of what I'm going to say, but today I think I'm just going to wing it.God has really been challenging me on a lot of things recently. Specifically, on what santification, community and on His Character as it relates to those two things.

In regards to the first thing, it seems so many of us want to have an "experience" with Jesus Christ. Usually this consists of a going to a conference, a retreat, or something and getting a "spiritual high" at the end. Then a couple of weeks later after we've processed the experience, we look foward to the next time we'll experience something similar. I think theres also this frustration for some of us when we experience God in a powerful way like that and then go back to our everyday lives wondering why we don't have those experiences everyday.

While those experience are incredible important to our growth as Christians, I'm finding that so much of the Christian life is the daily process of Sanctification in our lives. In 1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter talks about how the process is created by the Holy Spirit producing obedience in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ. I think the flipside of that, is that God wants to have a daily relationship with us as well. He doesn't wait for us to come to Him on the mountaintop, but wants to be with us throughout our everyday experiences! How amazing is that?!

I think the process also relates to how we connect in community. So many of us think that as long as its just me and Jesus that everything else doesn't really matter, but that is just not the case. The way we connect with one another greatly effects the way we relate to God and vice versa. Think about what Jesus said are the two greatest commandments. First we should love God, but secondly we must also love one another. I think without being in some kind of community you can't properly do either one of those. Now just to be clear, I'm not saying go to a megachurch and get to know everyone there. I would actually argue that community starts with at least two people and grows from there.

I started going through Acts yesterday and one of the first things you see is what authentic community looks like. Look at 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." When I read this I see 4 things that define what authentic community looks like: 1) The teaching/preaching of God's Word, 2) Fellowship 3) Hospitality 4) Prayer. All four of these things are so important especially in our culture today. If we don't do this are we not in community? I'm honestly not sure. I definitely lean towards no though.

Anyways seeing that this is post is becoming a little long winded I might post a part 2 later on this week. Here are a couple of final thoughts:

1. Are you living for a spirtual high or are you working through the daily process of sanctification in your own life?

2.What is the process looking like in your own life?

3. Are you comfortable just having a relationship with Jesus Christ or are you in authentic community with other Christians?

4. If you are in a strong community of believers, in what was are you personally encouraging those around you?