Who am I?

Today I attended the seminary chapel and the Dean of Multnomah Seminary, Dr. Donald Brake spoke. He is retiring this year and actually just came out with a book all about the History of the English Bible. It is really amazing. I found out that he has one of the greatest collections of the English Bible in the Americas.

It was very cool to hear him give his talk.

There was something he said this morning that really caught my attention. Dr. Brake said, "God is more concerned with who you are than what you do." He followed that up with the comment stating that the two most important things in life concerning our relationship with God are faith and obedience. I see this as being paramount in my life in today's society and culture.

Even within the modern church, people, and I include myself in this comment, can get so busy with doing God things (bible studies, youth group, serving the poor, all kinds of ministries) that we neglect our relationship with Christ. Somehow we think that "doing" things will somehow bolster our relationship with God. That by doing things we nurture our relationship with Christ. Now I am not saying that "doing" ministry we can not see God or connect with Him, rather I am finding that by doing these things we neglect an intimacy that Christ desires.

Balance.

God wants me. God wants you. God is most concerned with our relationship with Him. Out of this relationship flows our ministry. It is out of our intimate relationship with the Creator that we can respond to his call. This is where we obey.

I remember my dad telling me about this very concept, when I first was starting to serve in leadership. He said, "Remember that ministry flows out of being..." My life is a reflection of my walk and relationship with Christ. No, unfortunately it is not perfect, but that is exactly where God wants all of us. I am finding that by humbling myself and desiring to know God, YHWH draws near.


It is in this relationship that my being is defined.