Since returning from the States, I feel like I have been lacking in identity here in Paris. It is amazing to experience the contrast of being amongst my home church, family, and friends compared with being in a culture in which I hardly fit. I am reminded, DAILY, of the struggles that come with language here, and communication. They aren't unique struggles to me, they are common to anyone who has found them selves uprooted and moved to a new location and culture. While I could spend a lot of time writing about all the things that I have been reawakened to missing and not knowing, the real purpose of this post is moreover the answer, the response to those feelings that I am deciding to pursue.
I have chosen to press-in, to dig in to both the word of God, but also my relationship with God. It seems that this is the area of my life that I am spending the least amount of time with. Ironic isn't it? It's amazing how quickly it becomes normal to NOT read the bible, or to NOT pray, and the result is a complete feeling of disconnect from direction and mission.
It's funny, I keep thinking that this is an area of my life that will just take care of itself. It's not a conscious thought, but moreover an instinctual thought. I even shared last night that I feel like a car with bad wheel alignment. I *want* to drive straight, and in my mind I think that if I let go of the wheel, that I will continue straight, but the truth is that when I don't deliberately steer TOWARDS God, then I find myself on a road far from Him.
The methods of pressing in, at least for me, are simple... reading more, praying more, thinking more, and being more with God. And I don't want to mistake any of that with legalism, instead I am realizing that the nourishment I need is not coming in... unless I eat. So I am going back to the well, back to the buffet line, and pulling up a chair. I want EVERYTHING that God has for me here, and I want to be fully invested in everything that God has for Paris. It seems like a no-brainer, but it is amazing to me how much deliberate thought it actually requires.
Stay tuned... some cool things are already happening as a result of these decisions and these tactics... it will be fun top unveil them as they become more clear.
Amazing!! I'm so excited for you man.
"And I don't want to mistake any of that with legalism, instead I am realizing that the nourishment I need is not coming in... unless I eat. So I am going back to the well, back to the buffet line, and pulling up a chair. I want EVERYTHING that God has for me here, and I want to be fully invested in everything that God has for Paris. It seems like a no-brainer, but it is amazing to me how much deliberate thought it actually requires."
Good stuff! I know that was a lot to quote, but it was all so good!!
Love you bro! Praying for you continually!
Posted by: Tony Chavez | May 19, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Hey Scott! Did you see that Bobby Gruenewald from Lifechurch.tv is going to be in Paris and wants to meet up with church leaders in the area? I think it's on June 12th. Here a link: http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2009/06/01/meetup-paris/
Posted by: Destiny Church | June 01, 2009 at 04:55 PM
(BTW, that last "destinychurch" comment was me (Mark)...
Posted by: Destiny Church | June 01, 2009 at 04:56 PM