Dear God, I was driving to visit a friend this morning, and I listened to this sermon by Andy Stanley. It’s part one of a series he’s doing called “The Fundamental List.” He’s basically breaking things down into what do Christians have to believe in order to be considered Christian vs. the things that we sometimes feel are important, but might be more open to interpretation. He started with Jesus talking with the disciples in Matthew 16. He asked what the word on the street was about him: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13 NLT) When they tell him that people think he is a prophet come back such as John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah, he turns the question more personal: “But who do you say I am?” That’s when Peter gives us our first fundamental: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16 NLT)
So what does that mean “if” it’s true. Now, I’m not questioning its veracity. Of course I believe it. But do I appreciate what that means? If the Jesus that is recorded in the New Testament is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, then I should really learn from his example. I should love richly, forgive easily, and be a discomfort to anyone who is legalistic and focusing on the “Non-Fundamental List (whatever that may be).
I have to say that my soul has felt a little unsettled the last couple of days. I’m not exactly sure why. I’ve been on vacation, and I think part of it might be that I’m just not great without much structure and I just did several days at the beach with no structure. I need days that are more intentional in some way. Perhaps these unstructured days are good for me in that they make me appreciate the structure and the day-to-day work when I get it back.
I also had an interesting visit with a friend today. Part of it was good and part of it was hard. He said some things to tell me that were hard to hear. On the one hand, I wanted to dismiss them because it was a hospital visit and he was heavily medicated, but on the other hand, he was unfiltered and I was trying to discern whether or not you were trying to tell me something through him. I cannot tell right now in this moment, but I pray that you will lead me to the answer over the next few days.
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I cling to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Without that, without his life, death, and resurrection I am wasting my time. I have nothing to offer you, but Jesus offered it for me. Now please lead me. Guide me. Use me. In the words of the praise song, “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Break me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”
I pray all of this through your grace and in your name,
Amen
Emails to God 