So we’re in this series called “It’s a God Thing” – we’re discussing things that are impossible without God. And ya know, as I study these things, I realize how much of church and the Christian life is something we do in our strength. I don’t like to admit it, but if I’m honest (and I would guess, if most of us were honest) we’d have to say we try to pull off a lot of what it means to be a Christian in our own strength. However the “ideal” and “dream” of God’s Word I believe IS possible, but not the way we typically approach biblical direction (ie. try harder). It’s a God thing, so it requires God.
But then the next question arises: if it’s a “God thing” how does that work? I mean do we just sit and wait for God to do it? Do we actually hinder things if we try to “help”?
Well, I don’t think a “God thing” is something we just wait for – I do believe you and I play an important role in a “God thing”. First of all is the acknowledgement that we need God. I’ve found that God typically doesn’t force Himself on us, especially if we insist on doing it ourselves. So I guess you could say it begins with a form of humility and surrender. It’s coming before God and pleading for His work. It’s praying that God will do what only God can do. Secondly, however, I do think God moves in response to our intentional steps. We need to put ourselves in the place where God must show up. We take steps of faith, believing and trusting that God will move.
For example, on Sunday we talked about “church” being a “God thing”. We talked about how we can become a church without walls, without segregation, but a group of imperfect people who come together with a level of relational connectedness and interdependence that is beyond what is “common”. Well, for God to develop that in us, we need to take steps of faith. We need to initiate conversations, move into relational environments where we rub shoulders with each other. We need to initiate conversations with people from other generations and people who are different than we are. It’s in those “bold” moves that God tends to show up best. As He sees us take steps out of our comfort zone, believing He will show up, He tends to (show up).
So yes, it’s a God thing but He involves us and our steps of obedience, so don’t sit back yet – God wants to do a new thing among us and He wants to do it through and in us. Will we place ourselves in the best position for God to work? That’s our decision.
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