Church and Chamber

Sitting here in the kitchen of Paul and Corey Wagenast's incredible "By the Brook" Bed and Breakfast here in Canmore, Alberta. They and their four kids have graciously opened their seven bedroom - eight bathroom home to our family as Dar and I spend the next few weeks figuring out where we are going to be living here. I am thankful for these soul friends on the journey.

When it comes to housing, we have been asking God for more than we need. Reason being is our faith tells us we are going to be hosting many young leaders from many nations in our home. It's got nothing to do with what we can afford personally as one family. It has everything to do with the interdependent people of God always willing to lay down their rights to owning anything and living in infinite resignation to the will of our Father in heaven, in service to His Son, at the prompting of His Spirit.

It's dangerous when any of us become "entitled" to things rather than recognizing that we have only been "entrusted" with them. Being entitled typically breeds elitism, hierarchy, and destructive codependency of the "have's" being mildly entertained by the "have-not's". Being entrusted typically breeds humility among a people who are everywhere at home while having nothing and yet possessing everything.

Entitlement is dangerous. People entitled to their position. People entitled to their opinion. People entitled to watching the world through a box while the world burns and floods around them. People entitled to their smoldering wicks and dry places.

There is a reason why the rod comforts. Imagine the rod of God's discipline coming down upon the peaked roof church and crushing the structure while everyone is within. Those who don't know what is going on scatter. They run from the sacred blow. Others reach up for that rod as it falls upon them. They feel the weight of it's discipline and yet they hold onto the rod as it is lifted out of the church.

Hold onto that rod as it rises up hard and fast - and you will be flung to the ends of the earth into the places where there is a witness of His glory needed. If you cannot take the rod then you will never wear a crown.

This is something that is happening to the whole Church. Not just you and your's. We are being prepared for a day of battle. As far as this generation goes it is the battle of battles. The enemy will not outflank us. We are in hiding. We will surface at just the right time in just the right place. We are following the orders of our King and marching secretly through the night and into twilight toward the rising Sun. He alone knows what awaits us there.

In the meantime, let's all take off our shoes, enter the chamber and wait for Him there.