03.07.07 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

Risk Management. A huge value in our culture. We don't mind a little bit of risk, but even when there is risk we ask "how can we manage it?" We really would rather be safe. Safety and risk are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

A value of the kingdom is risk. How else do you explain faith? The evidence of things not seen is a peculiar thing. We put our faith in someone not seen by our own eyes. That's a huge risk.

So a question that has been perplexing me is how did I get so far away from risking stuff for Jesus? Is safety such a requirement for me that I don't risk for Him. In fact, if I live in such a way that I don't really need Jesus, am I truly following Him?

I'm not challenging the biblical value of wisdom, but the shift from expectation of risk to a culture of safety--especially for those of us in the family of God.

Well, I'd like to push us to take a risk. So we are going to do something really risky on Sunday for our assembly. We assemble because the Scriptures beg us to, so that we might spur on one another toward love and good deeds. I think we are going to do something together which will do that.

There isn't really a way to prepare for what we'll do on Sunday night, but I want to give you some background:

We believe that God speaks to us: through the Scriptures, through other believers, through situations, through common sense, and in our everyday lives. We also believe He wants us to do something. I want to put us in a dangerous spot. A spot where we put God to the test. A spot where He guides and directs us. So here's the plan. We are going to gather at our house on Sunday night the 11th at 6pm. We'll sing a song or two and I'll give some instructions. We'll break up into groups of 2-4 people. Then we will have a rather general assignment which will require us to find out what God wants and do it. We'll HEAR FROM GOD. I'm confident...although I'm fearful too, because this is out on the limb for me...and for our spiritual family.

I am praying that this will be an important laboratory in seeing/experiencing how God leads us, guides us, and blesses when we obey. That's connection to the Vine...and Branching Out. And may it catalyze us to live our moments that way!

Let's live risky. We've got an abundant life to live and death is not our enemy anymore!

Press on,
Mike

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