I've traveled to Russia fourteen times and will add a fifteenth in October. It's been a privilege to teach, train and inspire pastors and other leaders there over the years. They've also taught me much and my last trip almost a year ago was no exception.
After the worship conference we helped lead finished, I and some of my team went out to a town called Istra where I've known the people and staff in a church there for over fifteen years. We helped them finance a building and have been able to share ministry ideas every time we're together.
However, this Sunday morning I got to hear one of their leaders preach in the pastor's absence and he said a line I've never forgotten. "Too many Christians are more in love with the kingdom than the King!" Wow. That phrase hit me big time both as I thought about its implications for me and then as I considered other humbling comparisons.
I realized that yes I'm often more drawn in by my work, the logistics of ministry and even the habits of spiritual growth than the One who I serve and am supposed to love. So that day I began to think of other tensions that have challenged me to look differently at my life and what I sometimes erroneously call spirituality and commitment. Maybe they will stir something in you as well and cause you to think of other tensions that will resonate with you.
I know that I also pray differently these days as I more often think in fresh ways about the greatness of our God and Savior who meets with me each time. I ponder the presence of the One who is described in small but significant way below. Maybe your prayers will change, too.
Am I more in love with . . .
Being saved or the Savior? I Timothy 4:10
Creation or the Creator? Colossians 16
Prayer or the presence of the Father? Jude 24
Worship or the One who deserves our praise? Matthew 2:2
Serving or the Suffering Servant? Philippians 2:7
My rules or the Ruler of all? I Timothy 6:15
My Bible study or the Word who was with God and was God? John 1:1
My way or The Way? John 14:6
Holiness or the Holy One? I John 2:20
Life or He who gives us life? John 15:21
My image or the image of the invisible God? Colossians 1:15
My stardom or the Bright and Morning Star? Revelation 22:16
My strength or the Rock of our Salvation? I Corinthians 10:4
What I've built or the Chief Cornerstone? I Peter 2:6
My insights or the Only Wise God? Romans 16:27
My leadership or the Captain of our Salvation? Hebrews 2:10
My children or the Son of God? I John 5:11
Comments
Hi Gary. Based upon the title of your article, I thought you might be interested in the book I've just written on the names and attributes of Christ, called "I Want to Know More of Christ: A Daily Devotional on His Matchless Names." It comes out of my deep passion to know all I possibly can about Christ and to pray for His rule and reign over every part of my life and all people. It is based upon 365 of His names and attributes throughout the Bible. I invite you to visit the book's website, http://knowingmoreofchrist.com/ . CHRIST IS ALL, Steve Hall.