In doing so, I can say it has been with quite a bit of resistance. When people do not understand where you are leading it can be very grieving. Heather and I have for sure felt wounded in our hearts by people very close to us. In ministry you can't be careful. You have to love. You have to get involved with the deepest parts of peoples lives. You have to confront and challenge, sometimes you have to rebuke. Through this process, we have been challenged both by people and even to the core of why we are doing what we are doing.
Along with that, we are modeling a ministry vision that is complete with high commitment level, personal commitment to discipleship, personal commitment to a group of people, and reaching out to people outside of the kingdom of God. What that is, is a lot. Yet that is what God has put in our hearts as leaders. We have had to disagree with many people we love while looking like hee-haws in the process.
Our calling is to call the church to righteousness and preparation for the return of Christ. That is not fun for many. In the mix of it all, some misunderstandings have to do with our "systems" or church culture, some of it has to do with people's sins, some of it has to do with people just being spiritually lazy and uncommitted, some of it has to do with people not understanding the vision clearly; some of it values differences, some of it just not interested. With all of that, that is all in one bag, shaken up. It is a difficult thing to get a team to play together. We are a rugged people as Obama spoke last night in his address to the people. Rugged can be good, unless we need to work at unity. Individualism is not forfeited when it is dressed in humility and one accord. Unity is not uniformity and the key for us as Christians is to understand what it means to live in a community where we understand what the goal is. To love, reach, teach and live for Christ.
Through much painful misunderstandings this week we are seeing people begin to pick up and move on and we are feeling more and more misunderstood. Not to have a pity party, we knew we would (challenge many with the culture of 180). I drew courage in the midst of it all this morning when my eldest sister left me a text. "strange dream about you and kids....all dressed as clown-like....we were on vacation....least I can see you in my dreams." I responded "crazy"....and she responded, "I thought so, but you all acted like yourself....just dressed weird." Immediately the Spirit spoke to me about the apostle Paul and these scriptures came to mind....
"For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men." 1 Cor. 4:9
"We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now." 1 Cor. 4:10
So the clown text, I get it. Spectacle. Fools. Misunderstood. Jesus constantly pressed people to come in His kingdom His way....small gate, narrow way, die to self, stop living like the world. His demands are upon us in this generation. Foolish living will always be a mark for clown-looking believers. Heck, go get some lipstick and a red wig and oversized shoes in the spirit. You can't hide a clown when you see one.
Stuart
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