Partners

My grandmother died in January.  And since about then, I had been feeling a bit blocked up spiritually. The week of her passing was a very long and weird week and much of what I had wanted to accomplish just didn't get done.  And since then, I've felt a bit behind in everything.  So things have been out of whack and I've just been trying to manage. 

My back has been out of whack for quite awhile and I always sort of just manage it.  But about a week ago I started to go to the chiropractor and I've been learning some pretty good lessons...one is that it's a whole lot easier to breathe when things are in their proper place.  So I've been re-disciplining life a little...getting some things back into their proper place in order to breathe a bit better.

One of the things that has opened up is my need to be praying.  I like to do, do, do...and it's very easy for me to be checking things off the list, meeting new people, sending out e-mails, etc., etc., etc...all good church planting things...but all that activity, all that twisting and turning, all that constant motion takes a toll.  So as I've re-disciplined, I've come back to the foundation of prayer in this whole crazy thing we're doing as cells in South Jersey forming a congregation in Camden.

Over the course of the last few days I've been spending some serious time in prayer about the next 50 people from NJ who will partner with Circle of Hope in Camden.  And I've been hearing God say some things.

First, I've been reminded about the hard work of discipleship.  It takes a lot of work to relationally engage with people in need of Jesus.  Since I don't think it's just about getting people to say a prayer or walk an aisle, I have to remember that relationships that bring people in contact with Jesus take some time.  Our next 50 partners are out there...I need to meet them and I need to pray for them.

Second, I've learned a bit about God using unlikely partners.  I had a meeting in the last 24 hours with some business partners who have a company and money (two things that I'm a little distrustful of).  But these guys actually have heart for Jesus and for Camden and they want to use their company and their money to have an impact on people and neighborhoods.  To me, they seem like very unlikely partners in the gospel, but they are...and it has opened my field of vision...who else is an unlikely partner?

Third, I get a phone message like I did last night.  And I'm reminded that people actually want to partner in becoming the next generation of the church.  The message went something like, "Hey Nate...remember me?  I was the newcomer at the public meeting on Sunday.  Can you give me the address of your cell...I really want to be there Thursday night."  Well of course I remember you...I've been praying for you to be our next partner all week.

Comments

[Austin]

Great comments and thanks for the reminders. I'm one who has a do, do, do mentality and need to slow down sometimes and spend some time in prayer as well. Thanks for the encouragement!