The Quest Continues

In Primal, Mark Batterson focuses my attention on the Great Commandment.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength."

I have read and heard that Scripture so many times that I have truly lost touch with the depth of its meaning. As I have embarked on this quest, I have longed for more time to be alone with God to truly reflect on the journey He has led me on.

Mark equates the four primal elements of the Great Commandment as follows: "The heart of Christianity is primal compassion. The soul of Chrisitanity is primal wonder. The mind of Christianity is primal curiousity. The strength of Christianity is primal energy."

Now, one of my spiritual gifts is giving so I assumed the chapters on the heart would be the easy ones to read...not much soul searching or conviction. How silly of me. Mark shared an experience he had while attending a Civil Forum on Global Health sponsored by Saddleback Church. A video was shown portraying the effects of AIDS. "Eight thousand people will die from AIDS today. Then, after all the stories and numbers and faces, the documentary posed this question: 'Are you okay with this?'"

That question got me. Not so much because of my answer but because of lack of proof to back up my answer. No! This is not okay. I am not okay with this. I am not okay that children in my country or city are hungry as they try to fall asleep. I am not okay that a child is crying themself to sleep because they have been beaten and abused. I am not okay that little ones are abandoned. I am not okay that people are dying without hearing the name of Jesus. But what am I doing about it?

"Where your treasure is, there your heart is also."

The only way to know if my heart truly breaks for the things that break Gods heart is to look at my bank statement and calendar. What is my money and time spent on? Where is my energy expended? Where is my heart drained? If the heart of Christianity is compassion then my heart needs to be bursting with love that is in action. The action of giving and going; sharing and speaking.

The soul of Christianity is wonder. Christmas is the perfect time of year to ponder this sentiment. A single strand of Christmas lights from the dollar store can transform a child's smile into a radiant glow! Now take that same child by a home that is decked out in Christmas spirit and they are giddy with excitement.

Chloe equates the amount of Christmas lights with how much someone loves Jesus! Right after Thanksgiving a neighbor down the street put up more Christmas lights than I imagined possible in places I never expected to see lights. The first time we drove past this display Chloe said, "Look Mommy! They must really love Jesus because they have so much Christmas spirit." As soon as we were home I got the wreaths on our outside windows! I love Jesus, too!

As adults, we drive past decorated homes with a focus straight ahead. We have somewhere to be and need to get there quickly. But children have a sense of wonder. They are awed by the glow and the twinkles. Their eyes shine with excitement and their imaginations full of possibilities! I have seen it all before. I've lived through so many Christmases, twelve of them in Branson! Silver Dollar City has as many lights as all the stars in heaven! (I'm sure the guys who put them all up would agree with this.) After a while, the thrill seems to wear away.

As a follower of the Almighty God, I desperately pray that the thrill stays new! I yearn for a childlike wonder to fill my soul as I search for how God is moving around me. I keep mementos of the moments that God has floored me with His power and involvement in my life. Items such as a busted communion cup and a photo of a fake tattoo on my son's wrist.

I have yet to delve into the elements of curiousity and energy, but I will. Trust me...I am committed to allowing God to penetrate my being and proof Himself real in every area of my life. In my heart. In my soul. In my mind. In my strength.

I am His.

Join me on this quest.
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421319

The book will be availabe for purchase on December 22nd. My copy was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah.