There was a time in the history of the relationship between the God of the universe and us humans that God was accessible through very limited and specific means. We read a lot about it in the Old Testament. Priests, special ceremonies, special places, burning sacrifices, lots of rule following – these were the ways to access relationship with God. Through community, through order, through a prescribed set of things. Valuable, still today. But limited, and limiting.
Then in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 33 and 34, we read this interesting prophesy:
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord.”
Then, God did it. He came and dwelt among us in the flesh, Jesus. Then God took it up a notch, sending the Spirit like fire, fulfilling this word – that we would know God in our hearts and souls, burning with passion. Why does this matter for today?
Here’s why: we all have it in us to connect with the God inside us and let the Spirit flow in and through us – which means we all have it in us to bear the good fruits the Spirit produces: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. And don’t we need THIS kind of fruit in our world right about now?
How do we tap into and flow in the life of the Spirit? Dwell. Abide. Stay near. Spend time. Go deeper. Read. Pray. Meditate. Serve. Do whatever we can to tap into this Source over and over and over again, day after day, hour after hour.
Lord, come and dwell in us afresh today. We are desperate for that good fruit that only you can bear, especially in this time.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joel
Joel Searby
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A healthy and united America is truly possible… and it starts with us. John Kingston draws on wisdom from history, science, faith and culture, along with his own experiences, to offer eight principles for discovering purpose, meaning and true community.
“A time of dreadful divisiveness requires the antidote of “radical togetherness” — a concept more rare and inspiring in practice than in theory. John Kingston takes us on his journey in American Awakening from wide-eyed student of Lincoln, King, and Mandela, to faith-tested practitioner in the messy arena of civic life. Listen to his words because he’s done the hard work of orienting his life and leading by example around these challenging ideas.”
— Josh Kwan, President, The Gathering
