My daughter, Rachel, spoke this past Sunday. She shared highlights of the ten months she spent in a discipleship ministry training program called A4 Peoria. A4 stands for Acts chapter 4 in the Bible where it was noted that Jesus’ disciples were unschooled but extraordinary because they had spent time with Jesus.
One of the things that challenged Rachel was to seek Jesus for Jesus. This has been described as seeking the face of Jesus and not simply His hand. She shared an illustration that made this clearly understood. Rachel said that if she was wishing to borrow the car keys from me she would look for me. If she could not find me she would ask people if they knew where I might be found. She would keep looking and pursuing until she found me. But when she found me, she would ask for the cars keys. Her pursuit was for the keys, not for me. I just happen to have the keys to the car.
Rachel realized that often her motive of prayer was to ask the Lord for something and not simply talking and listening to Jesus because He is Jesus. Rachel is learning to seek His face and not just for what she can get from His hand.
How?
Spend time with the Lord listening and talking without an agenda. Matthew writes Jesus’ invitation to learn to do life with Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
One of the things that challenged Rachel was to seek Jesus for Jesus. This has been described as seeking the face of Jesus and not simply His hand. She shared an illustration that made this clearly understood. Rachel said that if she was wishing to borrow the car keys from me she would look for me. If she could not find me she would ask people if they knew where I might be found. She would keep looking and pursuing until she found me. But when she found me, she would ask for the cars keys. Her pursuit was for the keys, not for me. I just happen to have the keys to the car.
Rachel realized that often her motive of prayer was to ask the Lord for something and not simply talking and listening to Jesus because He is Jesus. Rachel is learning to seek His face and not just for what she can get from His hand.
How?
Spend time with the Lord listening and talking without an agenda. Matthew writes Jesus’ invitation to learn to do life with Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
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