Today’s scripture: Luke 6:12-19 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
I read an article recently called Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry by Henri Nouwen. This passage in Luke 6 inspired Nouwen to write this article, which can summed up in the following statement:
In your spiritual life, or life as a disciple, begin with solitude, then move into community, then do ministry.
In today’s passage, Jesus begins with his prayer time, his time with God on the mountain. Then he moves into his community with his disciples. Then he goes out and preaches, heals, and ministers to the people and communities around him.
This reminds me of what we convey in our Disciplship 101/102 SoulShift classes at LifeJourney Church: Cultivate and deepen your relationship with God, connect with others in spiritual community, then do ministry together; serve with your community. In essence, we are asking people to do what Jesus did in this passage.
Spend time with God. Talk with God, share with God, and get to know who you are that God created in the way God intended.
At LifeJourney Church, your Oasis is a prime example of your community, like the disciples were for Jesus. The service we do together would be the ministry that Jesus and the disciples did as they journeyed together.
So where are you in this story? Have you spent time with God? Have you spoken to Jesus about where you are spiritually, and where you are headed, and how you can grow in a more meaningful way? Have you found your community to connect with? Have you found your Oasis (or its equivalent where you are)? Have you discovered your gifts for ministry, and how you and your community can serve together?
Allow this story to sit with you, and allow God to speak to you and through you about where you are, where you need to be, and where you are headed. If you’d like, you can read Henri Nouwen’s article yourself for more insight.
Thought for the Day: Where am I in this story, in this process?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.