What Story Are You Living?

We have to ask ourselves, we have to ask each other, we have to come together as church communities to ask: what story is really defining our lives? I am not talking about the story that we say is defining our lives.  But, I am talking about the story that is really defining our lives.

Is it really first and foremost about loving God and loving others? Or is it more about loving ourselves and only those we tend to get along with?

Are we more concerned with our personal comfort? Or are we more concerned with supporting the gospel as it goes forth and the sacrifice that this comes with?

Are we more concerned with finding security? Or are we more concerned with supporting the dangerous message of Jesus Christ?

We have to ask ourselves, what story is informing our seemingly small, daily decisions as well as our big, life decisions. When we are talking as families about purchasing homes, cars and other things, what story is informing our decisions?  When we are looking at jobs, careers, living situations, what story is informing our decisions?

And corporately, what story is really defining our life together as a church communities?

Is it really about being communities of justice?

Is it really about being communities where people are becoming more like Jesus?

Is it really about being communities that impact those around us locally and beyond?

Is it really about being communities that act as catalysts to unite the body of Christ in locally and worldwide?

Or, are we more concerned with our own survival as an institutions, and comfort as a communities?

When we are together as communities making decisions about giving, tithing, buildings, programs, preaching, pastors, and even justice and caring for the poor, what story is informing and influencing our decisions?

Friends, the story that needs to inform our choices is this:

Jesus Christ, the one promised to bring salvation to the all the earth, has come. He died. He was buried, He rose again.  He, the Living God has defeated death and the powers of evil and promises to make all things new, including you. Including me. And he calls you, and he calls me and he says decisively, “Follow Me.”

In this call is something beautiful.  We have the opportunity to be active participants in God’s work of making all things new.  You. Me. Our Neighbor. This World.

This is the story that must define and inform our decisions and lives.

You might think you are living the right story. And, you might be. But, are you sure?