Last night at LGBC the image of a vortexes arose out of our conversations.  You might call these vortexes the personal chaos that can consume your attention, energy, time and other resources.  Ironically I’ve already been considering this picture (in the form of what I was calling “personal storms” see my last post).  Any how, this spinning effect, we observed can make it very difficult to reach out beyond our normal mundane lives.  Beyond our comfort zones if you will.  And much of that, realistically, is unavoidable.  I know for me, I’m just one guy with just so much time, $$, energy etc.  But God clearly calls us to be more at times.  To stretch out beyond our selves.

What does that mean?  Well, I don’t know.  I think, like all Kingdom things it requires holy dependance upon the Most High.  I cannot hope to accomplish anything outside of Christ’s power in my life.  He is the vine, I am branches.  Jesus Himself said “I only do what I see the Father doing”.  So it must be with me.  So, perception is needed.  A constant vigilance to where the Wild Goose is.  An opening of spiritual ears to hear our Shepherd’s voice (John 10).  What is He saying?  Where is He going?  These are the questions that we must start and end with.  And then, when we are reasonably sure we have heard him, then it’s time to step out of the boat and depend on Him and trust Him.

Well, easier said than done.  This faith thing is messy.  And it’s not perfect as we are cracked and fragile vessals.  Straight up….never forget that we will blow it. It’s not a matter of if it’s a matter of when.  We will stumble and fall and make mistakes.  But what matters most is what we do WHEN we stumble and fall.  Or maybe that we even tried to walk at all…outside our mundane existance.

What’s the difference between the sheep and the goats that Jesus described.  Not much if you ask me.  They have remarkably similar language.  And Keith Green once said in song the difference really was what they did and didn’t do.  And I would add that it is was a matter of the heart as well.  What was the intention of both groups?  The sheep had the heart of their Master and selflessly served whomever.  The goats did not have that heart.  What seperated David from Saul, Peter from Judas, etc.?  Heart.  Repentance.  Obedience.

What is the Spirit saying to you and me?  Listen….and then simply follow.