(boulevard)

I came across these sentences in Crazy Love by Francis Chan: “______ people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation.”

So, what goes in the blank? “Stressed out”? “Non-Christian”? “Busy”? “Unhappy”?

Lukewarm.

Ouch. When I read that sentence, I realized I had to take a hard look at my own life. All three of those earthly concerns go through my mind on a consistent basis. My gmail even recognizes “This week’s schedule” as a subject entry when I’m composing an email.

Anyone who has spent time in church while growing up has heard the verse in Revelation, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Now, I’m not (and I don’t think Francis Chan is) saying that schedules and to-do lists are inherently evil. What this little phrase made me realize is that in the small daily tasks, I need to consider the greater impact on the kingdom of God. Why am I living by this schedule? Is accomplishing this to-do list inviting people into the kingdom of God? Or have I become stressed out with the details of this earthly life which ultimately have no heavenly value that I’ve lost sight of my one true purpose for being on this earth? This is what it means to be a worshipper who offers their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1): To live each day, making every choice, word, and action count.

Francis Chan goes on to quote CS Lewis,

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

My prayer for all of us is that we never lose site of the “next world,” of the awesome privilege of spending an eternity with God. And that bringing other people to an understanding and awareness of that very same thing is what motivates us to live this life on earth… not as lukewarm people, but as people to whom God can say, “Well done” as He welcomes us to an eternity with Him.

Something you hear a lot about in the church is this word “calling.” I think there are two types of responses this word prompts from those who hear it. The first is,

“Me! Me! That is me! God has called me to be ___________.” Fill in the blank. For some, God has undoubtedly placed a specific “calling” on their lives to achieve certain goals and accomplishes specific purposes for Him.

Others may respond more like,

“Well, I’m not good at anything. I don’t have a talent. I’m not sure what a “calling” really is, and when I hear others get excited about it, I just get confused and frustrated.”

If you are part of the first group, awesome. But that is just the beginning of the journey. Keep pursuing God with a passion, and follow Him where he leads, always putting Him first. As for the second group of people, I want to call your attention to the verse that we as a church at Westover Hills AG have been studying this month: Jeremiah 29:11, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (The Message).

I assure you, that for YOU, this verse is as true as it is for any Christian who seems to know exactly where they are headed in life (and believe me, they probably don’t. A life with Christ is full of surprises… that’s faith!). Maybe it is time to stop asking “What should I do?” And start asking “Who should I be?” God does have a plan and purpose for your life, and the most beautiful part about discovering that purpose is the journey it takes to get there. His plan for you is that you be a person who lives for God with every fiber of your being. A person whose love for God motivates your every word and action. A person who worships God with your life. A person who learns to trust God and believe Him when He says, “I have plans for you.”

His plans. The only plans that matter.

“Ultimately, only God knows what He’s accomplishing in our time. I just know I want to be a part of it, and I urge you to be too. I believe that as we lift up our sovereign God together to His rightful place in our lives and celebrate His greatness in our worship, all the lesser things fall away. And we stand before Him in wonder, ready — maybe for the first time — to live out our true created purpose for His glory.”

~ Chris Tomlin, The Way I Was Made

2010. A new year. A new decade for that matter. A chance to embrace new things and embark on new journeys.

Here we go!

This blog is designed to be a place where we can explore worship concepts together. I will use it as a way to facilitate conversations with you and recommend reading, music and other resources to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. I hope that you use this blog as a way to express what it is God is doing in your life, specifically in regards to worship.

We serve an incredible God who loves us more than we can possibly know or imagine. It is my prayer that (boulevard) as a whole moves forward in 2010, becoming a culture of worshippers deeply rooted in the love of Jesus Christ.

Amy