Newlyweds

I woke up early this morning. A silent house in the wee hours feels sacred somehow, doesn't it? Usually I'm scrambling to get my Bible study homework done between chaotic moments (and it's amazing how God speaks even then), but this morning I took a bit more time to soak it up.

This week's unit is about knowing God's will as a church, and I just had to share this profound thought with you:

"When God speaks to people about the church, they should relate to the body what they sense God is saying. As members tell what God is saying, the whole church body goes to God in prayer to discern His will. In His timing God confirms to the body what He is saying. Individual opinions are not that important. God's will is crucial. No single method can be given for discerning God's will as a body. Pastors, other church leaders, and members are to have such deep relationships with God and the church body that spiritual guidance is the outcome. When Christ guides each spiritual leader and member of the body to function properly, the whole body knows and is enabled to do God's will." (Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God.)

I love the church. (That includes Fall Creek, of course, but I'm speaking about the church universal here.) I find it thrilling to be joining others as the Bride of Christ. Larry and I often say that we still feel like newlyweds because we're so crazy about each other; and that's how I feel about the church too. It's exciting to be in a love relationship that is healthy and strong and life-giving. When we are a church united in our desire to know and act on God's will, we are in the most beautiful love relationship of all.

I think I'll change my ring tone to "Going to the chapel, and I'm gonna get mar-a-aried..."

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7