trembling // awakening

If there was one takeaway from Passion for me it would be from Francis Chan’s message about trembling at the word of God. Partly because what he said was huge and partly because this was something that I was already wrestling with and growing in on my own. So, I’ve spent more time over the last few days just listening to what I’ve been reading and allowing the word to become realized in my spirit as opposed to just consuming as much of it as I can. (If you worship with us in Auburn, you may have heard Josh refer to this as transformational reading against informational reading. Both are necessary and helpful. One is life-giving.)

So this morning, I sat in Matthew 4 where Jesus says, “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” What? How? Is this even possible? Is it possible with Holy Spirit living in me? Is this only accomplished because Jesus is already perfect and he transfers that to me? Is it only something I strive for but only attain later? So many questions arise. But his spirit calmed me as I remember that all things are accomplished in him and nothing I do could make him love me more. And yet, he desires that I pursue him with all that I am. And I trembled at that command and the implications it has for my relationship with Jesus, and the call I have to press on towards that for which Christ Jesus has called me heavenward

And then these words came rushing in from a song that 22000 passionate university students worshiped with this past week: And if our God is with us, then who could ever stop us, and if our God is for us, then what could stand against? Straight from Scripture. Huge. Massive. Such weight. No one, absolutely no one can stand against. And I tremble at these words. So how is that such an exhortation could exist in his word for us and yet I live such a timid and fearful life allowing situations to dictate my feelings and and joy and actions and how I live with and love the people of this world. He will be perfect in you. Do not worry on those things. he will bring bring about perfection. But pursue him and him only. Do not hesitate in the presence of adversity. If God is for you, who can be against? Come alive to this!