The first night home after training camp I watched Wall-E in an effort to not go to bed at 6 pm. (I didn’t want to wake up at 4 am!) Let me tell you what happened in those 90 minutes.
My heart and mind are still processing everything training camp. I ask God to make His truth clear for understanding and embed it in my deepest parts. Then I listen as I watch the cute robot movie.
By the end of the movie I knew 6 things clearly:
1. It sucks to be alone.
2. Real love ruins lives.
3. Everyone will have to be carried some time.
4. Dancing is good.
5. There is a time to wait & a time to work.
6. Ignorance is a choice.
Let me break down what I mean by each of those and let you know how they relate to Jesus.
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1. It sucks to be alone.
If you watch the video below, you’ll see a simple version of deep truth. When we live this life alone, things don’t make sense. We were built for relationships.
I don’t know about all of you, but sometimes it feels like I’m living in a giant trash heap sorting through everyone else’s leftovers. Sometimes this Jesus thing feels like cleaning up someone else’s mess. Sometimes I don’t see the point.
Then I run into another Jesus-lover and it all makes sense.
1 Peter 2 calls us living stones being built together into a temple for God’s dwelling. Ephesians 4 reminds us that we are one body and one Spirit called to one hope. 1 Corinthians 12 declares we are all parts of one body working together for God’s glory.
Each Christian has a part to play in this grand scheme of creation. We fail when we forget we can’t do all the parts. We must work together to see God’s kingdom come on earth.
The hearts of my squad and team are to see revolution, redemption, and revival break out across the world. That is the cry of my heart, too.
I got filled to overflowing living with people who are desperate to see Jesus bring radical life change and soul change in themselves and in others. I am encouraged that I have allies in this battle and family on this journey. I am empowered by their belief in God and His work through them.
THIS is church. THIS is community. THIS is how the world will know us.
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2. Real love ruins lives.
I feel the need to put a disclaimer here. Hang with me. It will make sense in the end.
In Wall-E each robot has a directive. This is their main purpose and reason for existence. Wall-E’s directive is the clean and organize garbage. Eve’s directive is to find and acquire plant life.
Both Wall-E and Eve come to a crossroads where they each have to decide if their directive is good. Should they continue on as they always have? Should they throw out their directive completely? Should their priorities change?
This applies to real-life humans, too. We all have decisions to make where we must choose between continuing, ending, or changing our status quo.
This happens every time we come in contact with God’s overwhelming, powerful, holy love. We must decide to keep on, throw it all away, or amend our plans.
Psalm 139:6, 14 (The Voice)
“It is the most amazing feeling to know how deeply you know me, inside and out; the realization of it is so great that I cannot comprehend it. … I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful. I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.”
THIS all-knowing, all-encompassing, complete, deep love will wreck your life. All of my plans, purposes, desires, and dreams flew out the window in the face of THIS love. The Love of Christ will derail your life is the best way possible.
I came face-to-face with the love of my Father, my Bridegroom, and my Best Friend at training camp. I refuse to remain the same. I am changed! I know who I am in Christ and I will live in that truth.
Real Jesus love ruined my life. That’s ok. This life is so much better!
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part 2 coming soon!
