A Much Needed Reminder…

There a lot of things I love about Abundant Life. One of those things is the time that is giving for staff to go check out other churches.  Not only is it a great way to network with other ministry leaders and see how others are doing ministry, but it’s a great opportunity to be released from weekend, or at least a Sunday from service responsibilities, and be refreshed and rejuvenated.  Now I’ll be the first to admit that usually when I go to visit other churches it is very hard for me to “just be” and participate in the service.  I’m always looking around at the environment and keeping a mental scorecard of everything I’m seeing and experiencing.  It drives my wife crazy!!

Well this past weekend was a little different. Sarah and I were able to go and check out Solid Rock http://www.ajesuschurch.org/

It was a heavy weekend for them as a church.  They were announcing that one of their elder/pastors had had an affair.  They proceeded to walk through what this meant for this pastor and for the church. Restoration, grace and forgiveness. Our hearts broke for this man’s family, the staff and the solid rock church family.  It was very surreal for me; we at abundant life have been going through a process of restoration as well.  (You can read more about that here: http://coolchurchxp.com/)

After the announcement John Mark Comer (Teaching Pastor) started to share out of Proverbs 5,6 & 7.  It was about sexuality and adultery. It was a great message. He spoke about how God intended our sexual lives to be lived out. I highly recommend listening. http://www.ajesuschurch.org/teachings/teaching/?id=778&c=41

The thing that struck me most was at the end of the message. He shared a story from Jesus out of the Book of Luke:

“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:41-50 ESV)

I could not stop thinking about the question posed by Jesus; “Now which of them will love him more?” You see I’ve been in sort of rut in my personal relationship with Jesus. It’s been a very dry time. But at that moment I felt like God was trying to break through

Of course we all would have answered the question the same way as Simon.  But this time I felt like God was asking me the question.  And not so much about another persons debt, but debt that has been paid in MY life!!

Then we see this woman, who could care less about what the people around her thought.  She wasn’t worried about being dignified about it, she was broken and willing to look like a fool because she knew she needed a savior and she was in His presence.  Nothing was going to stop her from showing her gratitude and affection for Jesus.  I felt as if God was telling me, “You used to be like that”, but something has changed.  You’ve gotten complacent, comfortable, lazy and then you wonder why you don’t feel a strong connection with me, a peace in our relationship.”  Love takes work, love is a sacrifice..

He was telling me, like the guys in the story, that he’s been in my presence and I haven’t even noticed or paid attention enough to realize who I was in the presence of.  Father forgive me.  May I never cease to stop showing you adoration and praise.  No matter what others might think.

Now that sounds strong I know but I was convicted and at the same time felt this call to remember  “YOUR sins, which are many, are forgiven“ (Emphasis mine)

We then took communion at the end of the service and I felt a sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in awhile.  It was this reminder that my debt had been Cancelled…all of it.