The Wisdom of Students

This week at Fuel [our Monday night Bible study], we got to Isaiah 34, where he compares people who aren't following God to jackals, hyenas, goats, etc. It's not very clear about it being a metaphor, and one of the students asked how there were still animals around after God had destroyed this city. The commentary we're using explained the metaphor- that they represent enemies of God; as we were talking about it, one of my students said something incredible that is definitely worth sharing.

"I think it's trying to explain the animalistic nature of man without God. The only thing that separates us from the animals is that we have God's Spirit living in us, so if we decided to stop following Him, it's almost like we'd return to being animals in a sense." -Katie

I told her she gave me goosebumps. It's so cool to see my students connect with the heart of God and connect with His Word, and I love being able to learn from them just as much as they learn from me. That's what the body of Christ is about- sharing wisdom, caring for each other, working together in peace- no matter what age, gender, race, nationality. Such a cool thing to see this week.

Quote of the Day

"Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be." -Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis

We must sort out what God made us to do from what everyone expects of us, then live in that truth, relentlessly, unashamedly seeking His Kingdom. It is painful and freeing, it is honest and uncomfortable, and it is necessary if we are living out anything remotely close to the Gospel of Christ

by your side

we saw tenth avenue north last night, and i woke up with this song in my head. the lyrics are honest and raw. they're important. last night, i was able to see one of my students connect with this song. she's had a rough year, and when i looked over, she was completely immersed in worship. she was singing to Jesus. she was being restored by the endless love of Christ. her life is a testament to the power of a loving God who never gives up.

'Cause I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

My friend Jill calls it "thunking." Sometimes I've called it getting slapped with the truth. Any way you slice it, sometimes God goes to extreme measures just to be heard. We get busy with schedules, appointments, meetings, plans. We think it's "taking time" when we're relaxing on the couch while working on our laptops. We think a quick Dear Jesus at the end of the day as our eyes close is good enough to get by. I'm just as guilty of it as anyone. "Well of course I spend time with God- I work in a church! I teach Bible studies! Of course I have a living breathing relationship!" (Insert that "I'm so offended" look here).

God thunked me yesterday.

It can be hard to take that time with Him. It's much easier to float through life on the surface than dive in. Maybe diving in scares you- you don't know what's below the surface. Maybe diving in means learning how to navigate through uncharted waters. Maybe diving in is hard because your friends aren't swimming with you. But diving into the wonders of Christ is not only exhilarating, but it's also life changing. Peter "dove in" when he walked out onto the sea. James and John dove in when they set their nets down. Were they scared? Probably. They're human. But were they telling those stories for the years and years to come? You bet.

Its so important to dive in with God- to go deeper and relentlessly pursue a deep relationship with our glorious Creator. It's a sustaining love that's irreplaceable. It's a love that challenges, moves, equips, and transforms. If God's thunking you, listen. He's trying to let you in on one of the most incredible journeys you'll ever encounter.