So this month has been MANistry month. A month where the men of the squad come together and do ministry. Its been an amazing month, one where we have seen so many things most people will never see, and have learned more about ourselves and who Christ is and the role His Spirit plays in our lives.
At the beginning of the month, our contact, Ray, challenged us to “be men”. It was simple put in to words like that, but it goes so much deeper than at first thought. He said a lot of guys don’t grow up to become men, they just stay boys. So what does it look like to become men?
We have had no better contact to show us what that looks like. Ray is one of the most Spirit-lead men I have ever met in my life. And he yearns for it. He seeks out words from the Spirit and is willing to invest every ounce of his energy in hearing from Him so He can then pour it back out.
And that’s the one thing I have learned this month and Easter season. That being a man is one who seeks out the Spirit in everything. But it’s a lot harder than it sounds. It’s a choice you have to make every day, just like any relationship. And its hard to wake up every day and choose to try and hear from the Spirit over your own desires. But that’s what a man does.
As I was reading the story of Christ’s death, it’s a beautiful beautiful story of Christ’s unlimited love and pursuit for us. The reason why people choose to be missionaries. And as Jesus sat there with His disciples, He told them that its better for us for Him to go and be back with His Father in heaven. Im sure this was a shock to His disciples, who loved Him dearly. How could this be better?? That seems absurd.
But Jesus goes on to say in John 17 that not only is His reason for going to give the entire world salvation, which is beautiful enough in and of its self, but also because the release of His Spirit will be better for us and allow us to do even more than He did on earth while he was here. Even more miracles than He did while He was here. More healings, more supernatural ways to bring His Kingdom to the world that He loves so much He gave His Son AND His Spirit for.
So as we remember Christ’s death and resurrection this Easter, remember not only that, but that when He left, He gave us a Spirit to do even mightier works. And all we have to do is seek out and pray for that Spirit to be released upon us to change the world around us. People are begging for it and people are yearning for Him. We cannot neglect the power His Spirit can have through us if we only believe in His power and ask for Him to work through us. It build up His body and those outside the body. Remember that this beautiful day Christ defeated death and began a greater work in us.
