Sunday, November 05, 2006

Freedom & Responsibility Continued


I have a passion for freedom. As a pastor I have encouraged my people to pursue the fullness of freedom, the freedom Christ won for them on the cross. We have explored this freedom in how we do church. We’ve passionately expressed freedom in the look of our facility, the style of our worship, the way we dance and the artwork hanging on our walls. Another expression of this freedom is our pursuit of spiritual gifts. We eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy to paraphrase 1 Corinthians 14:1. I want to live a supernatural life and that personal passion has worked its way into the spiritual DNA of our church.

This passion for freedom has taken us out side the proverbial church box. I like it that way and so do most of the folks who are part of The Bridge. However, have you ever noticed that when something is different, it sticks out? In some ways we at The Bridge stick out. Christians and non-Christians alike have noticed that there’s something different about us - not better, just different. There’s a responsibility that comes with that difference. Our freedom has come with a built in responsibility.

If we want to be different and allow others to witness that difference, we have a responsibility to live our lives in holiness and humility. We have a responsibility to be men and women of character and integrity.

If we’re unusual, unique, different or outside the box without character, people will simply think we're weird and disregard us. On the other hand, if we choose to buck the status quo but live lives categorized by love, peace & joy… people will not only notice, they’ll want some of it for themselves.

Lord, help me. Help us. May we be a people, your people – living out the fullness of freedom with character, holiness, humility and love, amen.

© Tom Zawacki 2006

1 comment:

  1. I love your passion for freedom and many facets to it.

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