Doing Things that Matter: Live Differently - Monday Morning Devotions (Week 3)
(c) http://doingthingsthatmatter.com/
Readings:
Luke 9:23-25
Philippians 2:15
Galatians 5:22-25
(additional verses at the bottom)
Becoming different in a world of vast similarity requires breaking free of the things that hold you down and keep you grounded in the sea of sameness. Think about your life, and I’m certain you can identify things you haven’t surrendered but need to. You must possess the courage to let go of the things that anchor you to the safe and familiar. It’s time to let go of things that limit your faith. Go ahead and consider areas in your life that need change. Areas that you need to let go of by moving on, getting rid of, forgiving, or forgetting.
What is that thing, relationship, time consumer, or bitterness that you need to let go of? Perhaps you have a desire to have a certain reputation. Maybe you work too much or spend way too much time on your phone. Maybe things like materialism, greed, jealously, or anger seem to get in the way of the cross.
What do you need to let go of in order to pick up the cross?
After all, we are called to carry our cross every day.
And to carry the cross sometimes we have put something else down.
Many times we think we are living for Jesus, but all we are doing is carrying around the same things in this life that everyone else is carrying. So even though we love Jesus, we may not be that different, much less a person who is living the gospel or doing things that matter. Too many people who claim to love Jesus are just dipping their toe into the pool and claiming that they are swimming. Living differently is a cannonball into a pool of endless possibilities that a life with Christ has to offer.
The goal isn’t to be different, however following Jesus results in a life that is different. Maybe that’s why Peter said we would be like strangers in this world or why Paul said we should shine like the stars. People may not always understand some of the things faithful followers do or believe, but the hope is that the ways we are different will make a huge difference in this world.
God is different and it starts with His name.
Moses had a crazy encounter with God in the book of Exodus that began with a burning bush and led to other things like God parting the Red Sea and the ten commandments! There is a moment near the beginning of that story where Moses asks God His name…and if you think about it—that’s sort of crazy!
Moses had an out-loud conversation with the Creator—the one that spoke the universe into reality—the one who created you and me—that ONE! And Moses is asking HIM, His name? God didn’t have to answer him, yet without hesitation, He told him exactly who He was. “GOD said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM, this is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”
This is one of the most significant and beautiful sentences in the entire Bible. The name of God is a glimpse in to who God is. Our God is different…and it starts with His name. The name I AM holds an ever-present reality about who He is!
I AM, yesterday, today, and forever.
I AM the center of everything.
I AM the creator of the universe
I AM the way, the truth, and the life.
I AM the light of the world.
I AM your salvation.
I AM the bread of life.
I AM the resurrection and the life.
I AM the joy.
I AM forgiveness.
I AM grace.
I AM mercy.
I AM hope.
I AM dreams.
I AM life.
I AM love.
I AM courage.
I AM WHO I AM.
We could keep going! Scriptures say our mind cannot comprehend all that God is, however, we can start by understanding that nothing else deserves our hope, our lives, our worship, and our absolute best other than God. We serve a different God…who calls us to a different life. He is the Great I Am and He has promised that He will be with you.
The OKC Plan for living differently
We planted OKC Community Church in 2012 and when we first began dreaming about the church, I kept coming back to this simple hope that we would be a community of people who desires to be the church the best way we know how. The goal wasn’t to do something different or even new, but instead, it was to embody what the church was always supposed to be.
Most of us are aware that the church in America is struggling to find its place in our changing culture and as a result is shrinking and losing influence, especially among young people. This leaves us wondering if we should fight against the culture that is pushing the church to the margins of society, or do we look ourselves in the mirror and ask, “what must we do differently?”
The story of the early church in Acts is an incredible example to learn from. They were radically generous, wholly devoted to scripture, completely united in community, and deeply committed to Christ—to the point of persecution—all for the sake of the gospel! They changed everything for Jesus and thus embodied what the Church must be. Today, we are sometimes hard-pressed to ask Christians to change where they sit when they come to church!
So how do we do better? What must change so people can taste and see how good God is? First of all, we aren’t just talking about your local church—we are talking about being the Church (capital C) and it begins with identity. You don’t go to church… you are the Church. It’s a constant state of being that has purpose and character that shapes your identity.
You can be a great neighbor, a humble servant at your child’s school, an inclusive and encouraging friend, a forgiving and patient parent, a caring and sacrificial employee, and a person who cares for those who are hurting and broken. This is the work of the Church—to be people who bring life and give away our love. Perhaps you can capture this simple and hopeful ache to be the Church the best way we know how.
What’s one thing you can do differently in order to be the Church the best way you know how?
What do you need to let go of in order to do so?
Additional Reading:
Exodus 3:1-15
1 Corinthians 2:9
Acts 2:24-27
Psalms 34:8
1 Peter 2:11-12
Read Week 4: Love Recklessly
We would like to thank Tim Mannin and OKC Community Church for providing this plan.