Lighthouse Keeper

The modern church is obsessed with church building which is often defined by lots of activity and “ministries” and not a lot of contemplation, prayer, and listening to God. In a world that is drowning in anxiety and busyness, I think it’s important that our churches offer a place of respite and peace from the worries of the world so people have space to fix their eyes on things above (Colossians 3:2). 

Striving to bear fruit for the kingdom is often striving to bear fruit for human validation,  or simply distraction from what can be drudgery or struggle if we fail to grasp the peace and joy and simplicity that flows from new covenant promises. 

Jesus has already come to earth. The new covenant was forged in His resurrection and the new life has been purchased for us. Getting “church busy”  because Jesus is coming back is quite silly when you think of it in New Testament terms. 

Yes there is a race marked out for us (Hebrews 12: 1-3).  Yes there are good works He has prepared in advance (Ephesians 2:10). And those good works can look like helping your child with their homework or letting someone in front of you in the grocery store line. An offering of thanks can be singing a song or planting a tree.  If you constantly feel like you aren’t “doing” enough for God, you’ve missed the point of the Atonement. He is all sufficient and requires nothing from us (Psalm 50:12). 

God doesn’t want you to be frazzled and stressed out and angry at the world. And the way to counter this in our lives is to be how Jesus is observed in Luke 5:16 where He “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”. 

Seek the kingdom. Seek the quiet. Seek His face.