Challenge Update #3: UNDO

A note from Jennifer…

The theme of Challenge this year is “UNDO: Restore the Original.” At each gathering, we’re examining a different beatitude. There are 4 inward (the first four) that each has a corresponding outward (the last four). For example, if you are poor in spirit, it will show up in your life by being merciful. So that’s the order we’re moving through them.

The first night Geoff Safford talked about being poor in spirit… spiritually bankrupt, having nothing to offer God, a beggar before Him, but ready to be filled and open to what He has for us. He reminded us of many of the things we subconsiously (or maybe very consciously) hoard. Or even the feeling that we have a lot to offer God, rather than that He offers everything to us. He also talked about how the word “blessed” is the idea of complete, fulfilled–if our future is completeness and job in Christ, it must start with poverty (emptiness) of spirit.

In the morning Nick Hall shared some thoughts about mercy, a trait that is not highly valued in our success- and individual-focused culture. Yet with how much mercy we’ve been shown, it is a slap in the face of God to not show mercy to others.

But the one that’s hit me the most so far was last night, when Geoff talked about “blessed are those who mourn.” This is not about just being sad. It’s not mourning over being caught in sin or suffering its consequences. It is a deep, violent, soul-shaking mourning over sin because it mars the image of God in our lives. We mourn because we have the heart of Christ, and what breaks His heart breaks ours as well. If we really see Him in His holiness, sin will cause us to mourn not just when it shows up in our lives (however small, “justified,” or seemingly inconsequential), but we will also begin to mourn over the sin in our friends, communities, and world. If we don’t, we don’t have a big enough picture of God. (When we get back, ask the students to tell you about the art and the mud… it was a great picture!)

This morning, as the outward expression of mourning, we talked about purity of heart. Without this, we will never see God. D. A. Horton shared that Scripture is like the eyeglasses through which we see everything around us in focus. Without it, our picture of God gets blurry, and we do not experience purity in our lives (sin is our nature!).

It’s a lot to take in! But so good. We are regaining a picture of the original vision God had for our lives. Pray that throughout the rest of this week He will continue to teach us through His Word… to give all of us here a bigger and clearer vision of who He is, that when we see this all of the sin in and around us will break our hearts, and that there would be real mourning for God to replace with unspeakable joy as we purify our hearts and our lives.

God is definitely at work here! Our worship leader, Kristian Stanfill, commented, “If last night was just day 2, I have NO IDEA what God is going to do the rest of this week… that was amazing!” Pray for God-sized things as we encounter HIM this week… not just emotions, small changes, or spiritual highs, but the truly transforming presence of Christ.

Thank you! We’re heading out now to serve the city of Columbus! We’ll report back on our ministry projects later.

FYI, you can listen to any messages you want to at the Challenge website.