When I say “gravitational pull” I mean the attraction and pull each one of us has on those around us. Some folks have a strong and far-reaching gravitational pull while others may have one that is barely there. But I feel that every one of us has someone looking at us and to us to some extent. It may be the little kid next door or a co-worker but someone is looking to us as an example or source of something. God wants us to follow Him – to be in His gravity well. He wants to draw us in and keep us anchored. We orbit Him to get a full view of His character and power. A rhythm that even the Universe itself reveals should resonate in our lives. As we awake and sleep, breathe in and out, work and rest…we also look to Jesus and stay in God’s orbit. Paul even went so far as to say “follow me as I follow Christ.” He wasn’t saying “I’m your god, be just like me,” but rather (in a sense) saying “if you orbit me and look to me as an example I will point you towards Christ, in whose orbit I exist, and therefore you will be in God’s orbit as well.” In fact, the longer you stay focused on Christ, the stronger your tie to God becomes, despite lies and temptations to knock us out of orbit, and the more influence you’ll have on others for their benefit. Be a rock. Stay strong. Stay focused on Christ. Be aware of others around you.
Kent
Savannah is no large city by any stretch but it’s spread out. Some of my friends live an hour (driving distance) apart even though we consider ourselves in the same “area” and attend church together. That makes forming community really difficult. Throw in the fact that many of us are already busy, a little shy of making friends, possibly moving in [pick a number] years and it’s all that harder. It takes time and purpose. Purposely cutting out some things to do others. Time that could be spent watching TV or running the kids around. I’m waiting to see how I will react (or proact, if that’s a word) when my daughter gets to the age where activities (ballet, sports, lessons, etc) kick in. How will I say no or yes and to what will I do this? How will I teach that other things are important? Yay.
Kent
Over the past several years, and in the last few weeks specifically, the issue of loneliness, isolation, and general “not-connected-ness” has been a big issue. A few simple reasons: we live in a culture that mostly drives instead of walks or takes the bus, our front porches have turned into back decks (less waving), we are able to live, work and go to church in very spread out places, we aren’t friends with those we work with and we spend no time with those we’re friends with, etc, etc, etc.
The gospel has a lot to say about a lot of this and we at the Vineyard have been actively trying to do simple things (like eating, praying and playing together) to confront these issues. We did not come to Savannah to start a church full of people who smile at each other and then say “see you next Sunday” (translation: so we can merely sit in a room together, maybe sing songs we kinda like, and tolerate a preacher we somewhat agree with and then go about our merry ways). The gospel is about connection and overcoming barriers: with God (against sin), with each other (against loneliness, fussing and hierarchy), and with the poor (overcoming stereotypes, agendas, greed, pride). If you don’t sense a connection in any one or more of these 3 areas: ask why not? Ask what can you change to see that it starts? thanks
Filed under: rhythm
So I finally went to the doctor after my sinus infection reared its ugly head again. A friend of mine gave me some good advice one time: Life’s too short to not get drugs if you need them. So, I got a shot and some antibiotics and I feel much better. I’m ready to take on the world again. I’m not a sissy, I was just sick. Yay.
Kent
