There is no formula

Growing up I was always better at math than other subjects. While math was abstract, it was also formulaic. In both High School and College I took accounting classes and excelled in them. Accounting is largely based on formula. For example, one of the foundations of accounting is

Assets= Liabilities + Equity

It's easy to get caught up in formulas. We somehow think that if we just follow these seven steps whatever we are doing will work. Then reality comes crashing in and causes our formula to evaporate. One church recommends this in order to grow. Another church says such and such is a better way. Still another says that church growth isn't even what we should be going after. Churches will chase practice after practice and get frustrated at their lack of success. "But it worked for so and so," the argument goes. Their church grew to 6,000.

But, they never discover who they are supposed to be. That strategy or formula didn't work because that is not who they are. There is something very healthy in knowing what other churches are finding successful or unsuccessful and were not meant to contain all in wisdom in the world in our little bubble, but we still need to learn in the context of what that means for us. Maybe we employ something but we change some of the variable in the formula. Maybe that strategy doesn't work with our demographic.

I am not saying that we don't glean from one another. I am saying, however, that more important than learning what Pastor Johnny Megachurch is doing, we need to learn what we are supposed to do. And that comes from a multitude of sources.

The Mystery of Miracles

For those of you who don't know me, I am a hopeless analyzer as well as a reader. I like to explore things to death (not literally of course). So lately, I have been reading a lot about miracles, such as healing and visions. I attend a church that not only believes in all that stuff but practices and encourages it as well. As things such as healing have been getting more common, our staff has had much debate over this. In fact, because of these discussions, I have been reading about theological views on healing and listening to different arguments.

I find it fascinating. Perhaps you do as well. The debate on divine healing is a common one. Does God heal today? It is always his will to heal? What happens when someone doesn't get healed? Was is something on my end? Was there sin in my life? Did I not have enough faith? You get the point. I read some of these books and while I like what they say, there are theological holes, on both sides of the coin.

In my studies though I have noticed one common trend. Those who believe in miracles and pursue them see them occur much more often (by the way, miracles aren't just a nice "extra". We are called to pursue them). Those who sit around saying they happen but only by God's sovereignty, or that it is not always His will to heal rarely see miracles. It doesn't make sense to our minds when we believe with everything and have failures, but I would rather at least go for it. Perhaps part of miracles is that they don't fully fit within a theological framework. Or perhaps I am just ignorant (that's quite possible). But regardless, I want to make up my mind in such a way that I see more miracles manifest in my life.

Something Big...

Have you ever pondered the depths and fullness of God? I tried this for the first time last year during a class at work and it has been very powerful. When you first try emotions and thoughts run wild. For me, I was overwhelmed, perplexed and so much more all at the same time. First, the Bible says all over that God is unsearchable. I was overwhelmed because I entered into a realm that is bigger than I can comprehend. Second I was perplexed because I engaged with a task that is impossible. Even in our redeemed sinless bodies it will take eternity to search God out.

And then I calmed down. God whispered to me that He enjoyed me being in this realm and activity. The saints of old and new engage in this. He enjoys us meditating on his fullness and his depths. A peace began to rush over me. Peace seems to be a paradox here but our infinite God is a God of peace. I began to see an ocean. This ocean is a representation of His depths and fullness. I began to see this not because He is literally an ocean, but because this is the only way for my finite mind to grasp even a small part of the task that I am taking on.

This ocean metaphor keeps coming up. A coworker and friend of mine was watching a surfing documentary and began to draw the same parallels as I did. You get in there and begin to surf and you are overwhelmed. There is only water around you. A force that is overpowering and not in the least bit partial to who you are. There is no plan B. But at the same time you are joyous and peaceful. You are out there to have fun, and while it is dangerous it is also good. Everything else in the world falls away. At this point, your unpaid bills, your next meal, the fight you had with a close friend all pass away. You are focused on the task at hand. To enjoy being engulfed in this powerful thing that is so far beyond us.

Here's the difference though. Surfing is enjoyed for a few brief moments. Waves are also impersonal. God is always present, eternal and most of all personal.

Take a few minutes and try this. Its easy. Calm yourself down and think about God. Think about creation and his power. Meditate on His wisdom. Most of all, try to know His love the surpasses knowledge. It will rock your face off.

If you get a little bolder contemplate the fact that that fullness is supposed to dwell within us.