community

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What are we building?

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10

God’s original instructions to mankind were to have dominion over the earth. As his image bearers, he’s invited us to co-create with him, to organize and inhabit the earth in ways that are honorable, helpful, and pleasing to him.

It didn’t take long after creation until earthlings showed they had other ideas. They decided to build a city around a tower that would reach into the clouds (Genesis 11:1-9). Can you imagine all the skills required to do that? They had to have a plan, get everyone to agree, raise money, make building materials, transport supplies into their desert site, and engineer construction of a high-rise tower. These talents were given by their Creator. And how were they using them? To design a life that didn’t need him.

You and I have skills, too. Can we dream big dreams? Design or engineer? Rouse people to action? Raise money? Write? Make things? Organize? Make music? How are we using the talents we have in ways that help humanity to live creatively on this earth as God desires? Ways that serve him, honor him, and provide for ourselves and others? That’s what he had in mind when he gave us particular abilities.

And he gave compatible skills to others, too. So, we should look around and find those who have the same dreams we have and working together, we soon will find we are building into the lives of people we know, nurturing caring communities, and encouraging faith and trust in God. The self-serving Tower of Babel was destroyed. If we do things God’s way, what we build will last forever.

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi

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Mosaic Jesus

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“I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing . . . before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb!” – Revelation 7:9-10 (The Message)

Nataly is a friend of mine who is a mosaic artist and teacher. We were talking with some women one day about how, as Christians, we are a reflection of Jesus to those around us. Nataly thought for a moment then said, “But we each show just part of the image of Christ as if each of us is one piece of a great mosaic. Every chard, shape, and color is needed to present a complete picture of who Jesus is.”

That concept resonated with me. Jesus is so far beyond human understanding and so complex in His person, than none of us alone could possibly reveal Him accurately or fully. But joined together, with our various colors, shapes, and uniquenesses, we can give the world a more complete picture of the beauty and glory of God in the person of Jesus.

So we shouldn’t feel inadequate or unable to be Jesus to those around us. We just need to remind ourselves that we need each other to bear His image as He deserves and in ways that the world can recognize and receive.

I never would have thought of that, but Nataly did and I just had to share it with you as we join in the goal of reflecting His image today!

“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? – A. W. Tozer