Was Friday night the exception or the expectation? Friday night was a time when you all came and heard my fragmented telling of my Milwaukee experience. While still wrestling and processing this trip, I felt if nothing more, it was a time of gathering and prayer. But are we challenging each other to grow, prayer, and create ideas? I have to say, I am not being challenged.
We have prayed for a dangerous pursuit; we know it is going to be hard. But every time we initiate something, we fail to follow through. If we believe in the spiritual, then we will know that there persistent distractions that are vying for our attention. Powerful forces that are trying to disrupt the very unity we are called to create. So being passive and silent is going to be much easier than being active and vocal. We are going to have to fight to make the rhythms of our lives beat to a different song, and it is going to be hard.
Shouldn't we share our insights and difficulties with great regularity? Shouldn't we pray with each other and for each other as though we depend on it? Shouldn't we challenge each other, encourage each other, and hold one another accountable? Shouldn't we be eager to generate thought and ideas for all new and continuing dialogue?
So what does it mean to be a covenant community? Let me suggest that it is not so much of an "all for one, and one for all" mentality. But a time when we unite to sharpen our faculties to see, hear, and sense the movements of God. A community in covenant will gain much greater clarity than we ever will alone, believing that there is a reason why we are together now, if nothing less than to prepare each of us for the impending future that is rapidly approaching.
I covenant with you to read the Bible and our books daily, pray for each of you daily and pray with you as often as we can, write daily, comment as often as I am prompted. I will do these things because I believe they will draw me and us closer to the heart and mind of God, and I owe it to God to be at my best for this next venture in life. Without making this sound like a benign altar call...who's in?
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Friday night. Although mostly quiet and reserved, I was fully engaged as a listener in the experience. You may expect words from me, some profound insight even into the situation, but in silence I observed the moment.
From Dave, I heard the passion and potential of a new opportunity. Given the structure of our stale way of thinking, Elmbrook presents an exciting and nearly boundless way to have an impact. And even as Barb sold the position out, "Its still church," I think we caught a glimpse of what we're searching for. Yes this could be a beneficial transfer, but at the core will it be God's movement? Are we not called to live dangerously through faith? The answer will be tough to come by, but I don't think we can ignore the yearning in our souls to find this different song.
From Michaela, I saw how complicated we've made life. Rolling on the floor with Michaela and the dogs, I couldn't help but think of the important things. Relationships. Without speaking, both of us silent except the laughter, I saw the refreshing perspective children bring.
The night concluded in prayer between all three families (can I count myself as a family unit??). Between our pleas and calls for God to reveal himself in this journey was silence. I looked at our circle and wondered if I could do life with these people, Justin, Angie, Dave, and Barb. Could the five of us embark on this journey together? Will we go where its uncomfortable and dangerous yet safe and welcoming in our relationships? And like Dave wrote, will we challenge and encourage each other? At the table, in a moment of silence, I gave a resounding heck yes to partnering with you.
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