Last night we joined with Tree of Life in New Braunfels for a time of worship.  I believe it is time to agree and accept brothers and sisters, friends, and family.  If you did not hear the message last night, you will not understand thoroughly where I am coming from.  Looking for ways of agreement and focusing on Jesus Christ creates a powerful place for God to move.  It is a new venue for God in our lives that simply does not exist until we join together in unity.  We should not focus on our individual skills as much as fostering ways to unite, be in harmony and accord.  All of our excuses or reasons (valid or not) will be resolved when we surrender our pride.  Will we agree on every issue before there is unity?  Will we understand all doctrine and know the intricacies of each others past?  What are the prerequisites?  There are obviously some things that we will never compromise or associate with.  However, I feel like we error on the wrong side of agreement way too often and lack the faith it takes to allow God to move.  Our fear of ‘what if..’  What if we are contaminated?  What if people think we support their sin?  What if we compromise?  What if we fail God?

My Faith says, “Yes, there is a risk, however, I am firmly grounded in my walk with God and I will not let fear of the unknown or other people’s perception of me thwart spiritual progress.  I will allow the questions above to guide me and keep me accountible, but I will not let them block or hinder the next level.  If I see disaster ahead, then I will bail, but I refuse to keep my hands clean with spiritual egoism.”

My faith says to other leaders: “Let’s try it,  let’s get together.  I want to learn from you.  You want to learn from me.  There is a  needy world that I can not help or reach by myself.  I want to bridge the gap.”

The scriptures referenced last night in the message tell us that we must not wait until perfection or when everything is ironed out before we get together, but that we must accept one another as Christ has accepted us.  That while we were yet sinners, He died for us.  When someone comes to you and asks to partner/agree/reach out/love what is our response?  I believe the audience of heaven is waiting for our agreement.  Psalm 133 says that agreement and unity is the “place of blessing”.

I want to be in that place!

-robin