Tag: Seeing

Theological Musings

Being Missional Isn’t Just About Acting, but About Seeing

1395871_19682756A lot of discussion about being “missional” focuses on doing. Being missional means partnering in what God is doing all over the world, and in your neighbourhood. Being missional is about remembering that Christians are geared for mission – to serve, love, and change lives. And being missional matters.

Many of the seminars and speakers I’ve heard focus on some great actions to get us out into the community and caring. Things like throwing BBQ’s, being a real-life blessing to those around us, and caring for those who are hurting in our communities. Great stuff.

But I think the real art to being missional isn’t about doing, but about seeing.

The truth is God is already active all around us. God is doing things in our neighbourhoods, families, and communities right now. We follow an active, and dynamic God. A God on the move.

And so while certainly it is important to move and “do mission” with God – the most important practice is to first learn to see where God is moving. We, as Christians, need to become experts at spotting the initial moves of God’s Spirit in our lives, communities, and neighbourhoods. We need to become so in-tune with God’s Spirit that we catch his harmonies in conversations, that we sense his movements in the lives around us.

It’s important to act, but first it’s important to have “eyes to see” where God is already moving.

So how do you do that? Well sometimes the best answer is the simple answer. Start to pray. Pray as you walk around your street. Pray as you talk with neighbours and families. Pray that God will give you eyes to see how he is already moving around you, and how you can join him.

And trust me – this is a prayer God not only will answer, but I think one he wants to answer.

Sermon Preview

I Spy With My Little Eye…

On Sunday I want to explore how we see people. Because I’ve been noticing that how you see someone truly changes how you interact with them.

Think about this for a moment. How would our world, our neighborhoods, our churches, or our communities change if we saw people as Jesus did? That each person has value, each person is worth loving, each person has something special to offer, that no one is beyond redemption…how would our lives change?

Its a beautiful thought thought isn’t it?

But isn’t that the problem?

That so often it only remains a thought becuase its so hard to practice. To actually love your neighbor who throws loud parties; to appreciate your co-worker who grates you; to value that family member that causes so much difficulty. Seeing others like Jesus does isn’t easy. But the path of following Jesus isn’t meant to be easy. Its meant to be worthwhile.

Perhaps one of the most worthwhile things you can do today, is to seek to see others like Jesus does. It won’t be easy but it will be worthwhile.

So how do you do that? Well obviously this type of a change doesn’t happen overnight. But maybe the simplest way to start is to pose a question. Each time this week you find yourself challenged by someone, and struggling with someone. Ask yourself this question, “Jesus what do you see in them, and help me to see it too…”

Maybe the path to seeing with new eyes, begins with one simple question…