Well, day two into LTS orientation and wow, my eyes have really been opened. Chris Fordham suggested that we jot down these little notes about things that we have learned, to make sure they really do take root in our hearts… Of course that for me means a blog.
As I said my eyes are open to my ignorance, my unbelief, my sins, even after Capernwray last year. The sessions on raising the bar and keeping the focus really got me thinking more deeply about the Christian life. I think my purpose here has changed, or at least the origin of it has. The purpose is one and only one, to know Christ more. I’ve always known that, but that was all head knowledge. It took up until the second day of my second year for me to truly grasp that.
Military expert that I am, I can’t believe I missed this analogy of the soldiers in 2 Timothy. It’s so true how that works out, the discipline, the focus. It’s good too that I hear that “civilian” affairs are not bad… Those being the things you do when you’re not being a soldier. But you are not to be entangled in those civilian affairs while you are being a soldier. It’s about focus on the mission, the job, and putting that as the priority over all. A priority does not mean that something is more important, just that something deserves your current attention. As a solider in “active” service, you cancel out all of the things that are irrelevant in that active service. It doesn’t mean that those things are bad, just irrelevant to the service. How will that play out in my year here? Only God can know for sure.
Running according to the rules also had me thinking, about knowing what to do and how to play the game. I am sometimes afraid to think that no I don’t know the rules, and don’t have a conviction of what to do, but I think that’s more of knowing what to do but not wanting to do it, or just wanting to take the easy road. This is seen too in “Raising the Bar.” There’s so many rationalizations to taking the easier road… mainly that it’s simply easier, also that everyone else is doing it. I have to understand that raising the bar means preparing my heart to be inclined towards obedience to the Lord, no matter what. Lord please help me in my fears and insecurities to choose to wait on you.
What finally really struck me is the investment in people. Which may be perceived as a cost. How am I going to do this? How do I invest in those around me? Lord please show me the way. How do I influence these guys who will be around me, and to show, glorify, and only magnify God? I must invest in peoples lives knowing that there will be a harvest.
This is part of the last point too, that is reaping what you sowed. Simple enough, you’re the first to enjoy what you have sown. It’s not selfishness, or self-centredness: just merely how God has designed things, that you will enjoy the fruits of your labour. Man is that hope. The danger is, or the warning, is that you do reap what you sow. Lord please help me sow good seeds, of love and hope.