In recent days I have been considering the place I find myself in - moving backwards and forwards between working with struggling, marginalised people and then my quiet place of prayer and contemplation. The gap feels huge at times, and I have cried out for a place in The Body where I can find fellowship in the midst of this.
The comment I made to myself recently was "I feel like a worm in some kind of rotting board in the basement of a crumbling building". A tiny life holding on to an original concept long forgotten. This spark of life that we carry must be constantly kept alive by time in His presence and in knowing the Spirit of God beyond the froth and bubble of current 'revival' seeking, so that we can walk out a life that carries His light into dark places, to the poor and marginalised people - not necessarily the economic poor - that they might be revived and find life.
ALL earthly buildings eventually begin to break down, ONLY the house the Lord builds can (and will) remain standing.
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
ONLY the house God builds will stand and He builds, not with bricks and mortar, but with living stones, men and women. Are we willing to let Him join the stones together?
When men actively recruit and draw numbers into the organisation or building they have made, who is building the house?
When a group considers it holds the truth and begins to exclude all who do not abide by it's truth and rules, who is building the house?
When the drawing is to 'church' rather than to relationship with the Lord and the life He gives, who is building the house?
Should we wonder that boards and buildings and organisations and programmes decay and fall into disrepair if they are not built by the Lord?
Surely if we live, move and have our being in Him, then each of us will know that same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1) .....and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is HIS BODY, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.
Surely we can trust Him in His great power to oversee HIS BODY of which He is THE HEAD, to take care of every single, even the most minute part, of what is His alone.
Perhaps if we could love, trust and serve Him in this way He would build His church and display the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in heavenly realms as God ordained it should do, and we would see the change (revival?) we cry out for.
Do we need to be reminded again to 'let go and let God' have His way.
I am convinced that we have not yet seen this beautiful bride that is His church because we have either been unable or unwilling to let Him shape and clothe her.
Can we humbly admit our weakness and ask that in this place He might come and show Himself strong. "God of nations, at they feet..." is not an anthem designed for rugby games alone. Are we able to take our rightful place, not just at, but under His feet, in order that His great love and lordship, wisdom, majesty and power, can be displayed.
As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Jesus Christ gave Himself up in order to present His bride/church in what was the ultimate sacrifice of great love.
"...to present her to Himself as a RADIANT CHURCH, without any stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5).
The desire to see something fitting and radiant brings me to tears.
