Heart Tracks - The Marquee

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." Zechariah 8:23

Some time ago I wrote down in my prayer journal, "May we cease asking Him to draw people to the building we meet in, and instead ask Him to draw them to the building, the temple, that He seeks to make our lives become in Him."

I've a pastor friend that likes to say that every real believer ought to be like a theater marquee that announces what is currently appearing there. For the believer, our lives ought always to announce the appearing of Jesus Christ....in us and through us. In a sense, every life, especially for the follower of Christ, announces what is "appearing" in and through us. What's on your and my "marquee?"

We like to sing the little chorus, "He's still working on me," and He is, but how much repeat work is He having to do? As He shapes, molds, and chips away at our flesh, how much of Himself is taking the place of what He seeks to remove? How much of our self-life remains to block out the beauty and glory of His life? Who's coming round to lay hold of us, telling us they want to know the God that they see appearing through our lives?

I'm not speaking of being on a spiritual ego trip, for I well know that we won't know until the fullness of eternity how deep and wide has been the effect of our life witness, but He does give consistent affirmation to those whose lives are shining for Him. Someone asked the question as to whether anyone has ever remarked, be it concerning the fellowship we're a part of, or the day to day living we do, as to their sensing of the real Presence of His Holy Spirit in and through us? When we live in the fullness of His peace, joy, strength, and confidence, they do, and they will. To what degree are we living in those?

I spent years in my pastoral ministry encouraging people to invite friends and family to church. Trying to motivate them to do so might be a better way of putting it. Finally, I came to the realization, for them and myself, that we needed to be the church, be His presence and life, wherever we were. If we would be that, than we wouldn't have to invite people to the building we were meeting in, in order to meet Him. They would be meeting Him directly in and through us. Motivation wouldn't be needed. It would be the natural outflow of the life.

May we be, as was prophesied for the Jew in Zechariah, those who live so deeply in Him that He continually appears through our day to day lives.... even in the most mundane of days. May many "take hold of our coats," and be drawn to Him through what they see of Him through us. May our lives never cease to announce, "Now Appearing - The Savior, Jesus Christ."

Blessings,
Pastor O