The Early Church: by Joey

 

Recently there had been a question posed ( If I understand it right?): how would the early church change what we experience today. Immediately it sent me into a place of 'what if my life had been.' Having turned 70 this week I have had a lot of questions about what kind of life I have I lived, and where do I fit now. I work among young people, I go to church among young people and I live in the midst of young people. With that at the forefront,  it has taken everything in me to get to know this new world I live in. 

 

Despite my over abundance of questions God has done a pretty amazing work. This last year I have been healed in countless ways physically, I have been healed in ways spiritually I had given up on, and my mental function is one of a fit senior. I live each day waking and asking the Lord for his provision to live a life in the spirit, moment by moment.

 

I work at a high pace job engaging with with maybe 30 kids a day that are under the age of 2 , arents that are so grateful for their child's care, and a staff that is amazing and I did very little to acquire any of it. I have savings that I never thought possible and when there is something I need to take care of there is provision I had not ever experienced. I have friends who I love and pray for and I have friends who love and pray for me. 

 

To say life has been easy this last year, I would be lying in fact many times I have felt lonely, aimless, and embarrassed by all the weakness I have had. But not once has God allowed me to wallow in that, undergirding me with a sense of this journey is not over and he is on the move in a way I never dreamed possible. And yet I am left in the moment with a question that has plagued my faith...why is it not enough. When in fact, it is not about my dim view but a far greater plan and purpose that he has authored and has the power and the desire to finish. 

 

I came to this journey by grace. And, if I have learned one thing it is not by mans opinion nor my own ability that any spiritual connection has occurred. In fact it has been bellowing in me this last year that if God does not build the house it is all in vain. Therein my calling is to wait, to rest, to be open to allowing each day to unfold with the love he has planted in me. Which has left meto realize my talents are not many and to some may seem hidden under a bushel, but he has given me outlet to use them daily. 

 

I am more aware of the needs of others than I have been and I live using one gift he has opened to me in a huge way this year...prayer. I believe it is what changes dark to light. It is something I can do anywhere at any time and it does change the world I live in even when nothing seems to be working. I have to believe I am a strong component (handed down by the Holy Sprit) that savors the early church history but lives in a very complex culture now. 

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To me the early church is no different than now. There is a core group if you will that God is equipping, and using to bring a witness he has in mind. To me, that witness begins and ends in love.  

 

 I admit it has been a challenge to think that I am anything but what he desires, an imperfectly perfect vessel that sees the need to say 'having done all stand'. But again, he who is the author and the finisher is faithful and I am grateful.  

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