What a difference a day makes. (or in my case a year) PART 2

Following God isn’t always popular. Following God in directions that are not traditional, evangelical or American is down right offensive to most Christians. God is not mainstream; never has been, never will be. When I chose to leave the mainstream, I left the only thing I have known for 35 years. But, you couldn’t pay me to go back. I have never been closer to God than I am right now.

It’s odd that I am closer to God, but farther from the “church.” That is not meant to be a commentary, only a statement of truth. The body of Christ that I feel connected to also feels disconnected from its traditional roots.

I recently was talking with a friend who was relaying a situation he encountered the other day. He was talking to a friend, who had left a high level job in a well known megachurch, to start a care ministry. In the process, he began getting interest from a gathering of people who wanted to find a place they could worship. As my friend told me the names of the people who were interested in gathering, my eyes grew wider and wider. These were prominent Christian authors who have recently felt displaced from the evangelical church and no longer called it “home.” When the architects of modern Christianity are not fitting in anymore, there is a problem.

It’s time for a change and it didn’t begin with me, but I’m making the change. It took me a year to clear out the old garbage and now it’s time to let God recreate me. Anyone up for a change? Don’t think it will be easy or fun. It’s painful and slow, but like most things of value, the effort is worth it. The shine on my wide eyed optimism is a little dulled and the sparkle in my vision is slightly faded, but my steadfast resolve to passionately follow God is stronger than ever.

What a difference a year makes.

What a difference a day makes. (or in my case a year)

After a year of having the wind knocked out of me and my feet kicked out from underneath me, I think I can actually breathe again and stand up straight. It’s amazing to think that it was a year ago that I left a comfortable job with a secure income to pursue a dream that from all indications completely failed, but was one of the best things I have ever done.

We all want to be successful and the American dream is built on the notion that anyone can succeed, but how we measure success is askew.

From the worlds viewpoint, emersionlife is a failure. It never got big, hasn’t expanded, isn’t self sustaining and failed to accomplished a lofty goal.

From God’s perspective, we did exactly what He asked. We followed Him, we increased in our love for Him, we grew in our love for others and we became what He intended.

Sometimes you have to leave where you have been before you can see who you are. Sometimes you have to clear out the old habits and ways of thinking and let go of the preconceptions in order to embrace your true self. There are even times when you have to release your dreams, expectations and desires to see the truer picture of what it is you were created for.

(to be continued...)