sunday blog july 11,2008

I haven’t blogged for several weeks.  A little bit of a time issue has been part of the reason I haven’t written.  A little bit of writer’s block has been another part of the reason.  The primary reason, however, is that I have been so overwhelmed by the material we have been covering in worship that blogging has seemed inconsequential.

Several months ago, I felt lead to begin a study in the gospel of Matthew.  I love the gospels and it is natural for me to find my preaching zone in them.  I was optimistic that our Matthew study would be helpful, challenging, and hopeful.  What I was not ready for, however, is the way the scripture would pierce my heart and affect me personally.  The eyes of my heart are opening as I hear His words like I am hearing them again for the first time.  I am being challenged at the very core of my understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It has been an amazing few weeks for my faith as we are working our way through the Sermon on the Mount.

Perhaps it is because of where I am in my personal life and perhaps it is the influence of the authors I am reading right now, but I am feeling overwhelmed by Jesus’ straightforward and simple call to “follow him.”   My daily question has become “How will I follow Jesus today?  What action will I take, what decision will I make, that brings glory to Him.”

While I am being overwhelmed by the words of Jesus as we study Matthew, I fear that I am not adequately translating those words on Sunday morning.  I believe the material I am sharing has life-changing potential but I am not confident I have the ability to share it with the “umph” that it deserves.  I can only trust that the grace of God is working in each one of us as we open the Word of God together.