2009 June 04 « Leaning Forward

This past Saturday was TREMENDOUS! I had many of my family, friends, and co-workers over for food and fellowship. There was a little something for everybody. We boiled over 150 lbs of crawfish, 8 dozen crabs, grilled 10 lbs of hamburgers, 30 hot dogs, and topped it off with homemade ice cream. We had so much food that we didn’t even get to the shrimp. The weather was perfect, the food was great, and the atmosphere was one of genuine community. To be honest with you that’s what I was aiming for … an environment where community could be developed and cultivated. Don’t get me wrong, I love “mud bugs” as much as anyone, but I wanted to capture an environment where people could connect, flourish, and move towards wholeness.

If I’m to lean forward in life, if I want to move in the direction of the person I want to become, then I have to posture my life in such a way that I’m constantly learning and growing. That means that I surround myself with people that are more experienced than me, people that have traveled further than me, and people that will not tell me what I want to hear. The Apostle Paul said, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” 1 Co 15:33(AMP) I wonder if some of the people/environments we’re associated with are conducive to growth or do they corrupt good character?

There is a story in Luke 2, where Mary and Joseph have lost Jesus for three days, and upon returning to Jerusalem they find Him in the Temple listening and conversing with the teachers. Then it says that they, Mary/Joseph, were upset with Him. Jesus, responds to His parents by saying, “didn’t you know that I had to be about my Father’s business?” In other words, Jesus said, you know who I am, and as such you knew where to find me. The temple is the first place you should have looked.

Jesus is teaching us that we go where our heart longs to be. Where we are informs us and others as to who we are. So where is it that you long to be? Who do you long to be with? Do your answers move you closer to God or further away?