Good Complications
I was studying for my message at Starbucks tonight and I met a guy who attends another church on Capitol Hill. He saw me reading my Bible and struck up a conversation. He seems to be "eagerly desiring the gifts" but he's in a church environment that isn't open to that. Honestly, I was pretty tired and I was trying to finish up my message :) And I'm always super-senstive about always affirming other churches :) But I felt like it was one of those two-minute conversations that God ordained.
He asked me my take on the gifts of the Spirit so here's what I told him.
First of all, I want everything God wants to give me. If God is giving out gifts I want to get in line :) Scripture tells us to "eagerly desire" the gifts. We ought to approach the gifts of the Spirit like they are nine presents wrapped up on Christmas morning.
Then I really felt like the Holy Spirit gave me a word of wisdom. I told him that marriage complicates your life. But it's a good complication. Kids complicate your life. You've got to change diapers and arrange play dates :) Success complicates your life. Your life gets busier and busier. Wealth complicates your life. If you're really blessed it's a tax nighmare :)
Here's the bottom line: good things tend to complicate our lives.
I think the gifts of the Spirit complicate our lives. But it's a good complication. Those of you who have experienced the gifts of the Spirit know exactly what I'm talking about. It complicates your life in a good way.
I think one thing that keeps people from experiencing everything God wants to do in their life is the fear of complications. So we play it safe. We do what we've always done. We never exit our comfort zone.
I don't know about you, but I want a complicated life!
The reward in the parable of the talents wasn't early retirement or an extended vacation. It was more work! God blessed the faithful servant by complicating his life! But they were good complications or God complications!
FYI.
I'm a denominational mutt who has been on both sides of the charismatic fence :) I really wrestled with the legitimacy of the gifts for years! I've seen so many abuses on all sides of this issue. I know this can be a theologically-charged topic. One of my prayers is that I would always approach this issue in a humble way so that mutual respect rises even among people who agree to disagree with my theological take.
Lord, complicate our lives in ways that glorify you and further your purposes in us!
He asked me my take on the gifts of the Spirit so here's what I told him.
First of all, I want everything God wants to give me. If God is giving out gifts I want to get in line :) Scripture tells us to "eagerly desire" the gifts. We ought to approach the gifts of the Spirit like they are nine presents wrapped up on Christmas morning.
Then I really felt like the Holy Spirit gave me a word of wisdom. I told him that marriage complicates your life. But it's a good complication. Kids complicate your life. You've got to change diapers and arrange play dates :) Success complicates your life. Your life gets busier and busier. Wealth complicates your life. If you're really blessed it's a tax nighmare :)
Here's the bottom line: good things tend to complicate our lives.
I think the gifts of the Spirit complicate our lives. But it's a good complication. Those of you who have experienced the gifts of the Spirit know exactly what I'm talking about. It complicates your life in a good way.
I think one thing that keeps people from experiencing everything God wants to do in their life is the fear of complications. So we play it safe. We do what we've always done. We never exit our comfort zone.
I don't know about you, but I want a complicated life!
The reward in the parable of the talents wasn't early retirement or an extended vacation. It was more work! God blessed the faithful servant by complicating his life! But they were good complications or God complications!
FYI.
I'm a denominational mutt who has been on both sides of the charismatic fence :) I really wrestled with the legitimacy of the gifts for years! I've seen so many abuses on all sides of this issue. I know this can be a theologically-charged topic. One of my prayers is that I would always approach this issue in a humble way so that mutual respect rises even among people who agree to disagree with my theological take.
Lord, complicate our lives in ways that glorify you and further your purposes in us!
9 Comments:
Thanks for such a great perspective on this important issue! Sometimes I think we would be better off if we stopped debating what God will/won't do and just let him be God. Personally, I want to be in awe of his work like the disciples were in Acts 2.
what would you say to someone who really wants to leave their comfort zone? i've been dying to get out there and use what God has given me, but He just hasn't provided a "permanent" way yet.
First of all Heather, I totally agree with your comment. Secondly, Pastor Mark, great wisdom in sharing in this delicate issue with this gentlemen. I feel as though I am in the same boat with you when it comes to the latter part of your post. I don't ever want to get turned off to what God wants to do and is doing. Simplicity is boring, but complication in God is exciting and mysterious.
Chris
ForHisRenown,
I don't know your circumstances, but I'd probably say "be faithful in the little things." Here's my definition of success: do the best you can with what you have where you are! In other words, success = stewardship.
I preached on this a few months ago. Nehemiah had a dream of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. But I said he needed to be the best cupbearer in Babylon that he could possibly be.
It sounds like you're in Babylon? And you're not sure where Jerusalem is?
Well stated Mark! I know that from my background, it is not just the complications but the "loss of control" that causes churches/pastors to discount the work of the Spirit wholesale!
I would love to go through all of your posts and take your quotes and do a book...The Quotes of a Chaos Dancing Pastor. Seriously, you have amazing quotes, I even quoted you once in my sermon this morning. The congregation are probably wondering who is this guy he is always quoting? "I want everything God wants to give me. If God is giving out gifts I want to get in line." Quote from Pastor Mark Batters blog.
You do have gems...that I have often used at many other times.
Chris
I truly appreciate your sensitivity and comments in this sticky area. Coming from a Reformed background the "gifts" have been held under suspicion, but there has been more openess lately.
Above all I appreciate and am drawn to your humility. I recently finished Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell and was blown away by a lot of his thoughts and perspectives. But his delivery is quite condescending and far from humble. Stay holy and humble no matter how good chooses to work through you.
actually, i pretty much know where Jerusalem is, i just have no way of getting there. i thought i did for a while. i was able to use the gifts i've been given in a small version of what God's called me to, but it ended up being a lot more temporary than i hoped. i think God's just taking it slow with my life.
by the way, i'm trying to save up for my very own GodiPod! (although it will probably take a while.)
thanks for these thoughts -- it was like a mini-NCC evotional. i'm so glad you blog your thoughts and God ideas -- what a great model of sharing a daily, constant, fun, tiring, and complicated life with Him. it's also great to know that my pastor takes time to think and reflect each day -- i'm so glad for that. it's definitely been a model for me in my life with God this year. i guess my comment is one about your blog in general, but i just wanted to add some affirmation. i also agree about the quoting you -- it helps when i need help answering my non-believer friends' questions.
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