American Theology
So, today, I was thinking. I was thinking about John. And the book of Revelation. How God gave John the amazing vision documented in the book of Revelation while he was (get this) STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND! Yes, John wrote the book of Revelation while stranded on the island of Patmos. This completely blows me and my American Theology away! God give someone prophetic vision in the midst of mass revival, okay. God give someone prophetic vision while on the mountaintop, with God, okay. But the concept that God would have such a incredible and powerful experience with someone at the lowest and loneliest time in their life? That seems far fetched, but yet, that is exactly what God did with John.
Being here at Brownsville again has brought back so many amazing memories of intense services where God moved so powerfully I could barely walk. Times where the Lord spoke so clearly to me and delivered me from so much junk, all happened right here in this church! And yet, though I long for God to show up and move among us again all over this nation, not just in one church, I long even more to be like John. Or not to be John, but to be OKAY if I am.
I see so many people disillusioned as to what real Christianity is, sometimes myself included. We have gotten this "American Theology" that God's will is to eventually put us into a place of prosperity and blessing. While this is great to think about, it is about as biblical as the teaching that "when you get saved nothing bad will ever happen to you again." (Again unbiblical ;)
I guess what I'm saying is, Yes I want revival. I want to see a mighty move of God. But was the last commission "Go into all the world and lay at my feet while I move powerfully?" No! We are commanded to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel!" There are two action verbs in there. We must be constantly "serving and going" to others and "telling" them of all God's done. There is time to rest at his feet and be intimate with the Lord, but let us, (me) not forget that the greatest command Jesus gave was not to rest, but to GO! Lord, let me be WILLING to be the missionary in the middle of no where living for you, or the John on the island of Patmos, still seeking Your face. And if you choose to bring blessing and prosperity, let me recognize it as a season, not my mission...
Being here at Brownsville again has brought back so many amazing memories of intense services where God moved so powerfully I could barely walk. Times where the Lord spoke so clearly to me and delivered me from so much junk, all happened right here in this church! And yet, though I long for God to show up and move among us again all over this nation, not just in one church, I long even more to be like John. Or not to be John, but to be OKAY if I am.
I see so many people disillusioned as to what real Christianity is, sometimes myself included. We have gotten this "American Theology" that God's will is to eventually put us into a place of prosperity and blessing. While this is great to think about, it is about as biblical as the teaching that "when you get saved nothing bad will ever happen to you again." (Again unbiblical ;)
I guess what I'm saying is, Yes I want revival. I want to see a mighty move of God. But was the last commission "Go into all the world and lay at my feet while I move powerfully?" No! We are commanded to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel!" There are two action verbs in there. We must be constantly "serving and going" to others and "telling" them of all God's done. There is time to rest at his feet and be intimate with the Lord, but let us, (me) not forget that the greatest command Jesus gave was not to rest, but to GO! Lord, let me be WILLING to be the missionary in the middle of no where living for you, or the John on the island of Patmos, still seeking Your face. And if you choose to bring blessing and prosperity, let me recognize it as a season, not my mission...
Incredible insight...
ReplyDeleteIt's amazingly awesome knowing that God has the ability to speak to us, no matter the circumstances. A still small voice, a loud one or just plain inspiration. Love your heart Tammy.
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