Prayerfully respond to God's work in your life.
In the process of spiritual formation, it's hard to find the language for next steps. A "final project" borrows from the language of change management. It assumes a project owner ("you"), a specific outcome ("life change"), and a process to get there ("Steps A, B, and C").
But in our last lesson, we felt the tension that the Spirit of God "blows like the wind" and yet we are to "set our mind on the things of the Spirit." In this case, the project owner is God, the outcome is at his direction, and he'll show us the process as we go!
His plan for Abram? "Go from your land, your relatives, and your father's house to the land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1).
For Moses? "Go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10).
For Paul? "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:5-6).
If I worked in HR, these aren't great job descriptions! Leave home, challenge an oppressive ruler, go into the city and await future orders!
There are even some stern, explicit warnings against planning. It can reveal prideful boasting! See James 4:13-17.
At the same time, the Scriptures invite us to act with wisdom and prudence. When large crowds started to follow Jesus, he invited them to honestly consider if they were interested in him as a spectacle, or if they had resolved to wholeheartedly follow him.
I hope you feel intellectually confident that Jesus is alive. And I hope you are experiencing, by the Spirit, the resurrection power of Christ. It is fitting to intentionally respond to God's work in our lives.
**Here are some questions to reflect on in the presence of God:**
Once you get an "80% Plan" together, share it in the community. We'd love to pray for your plan, ask questions, and, if you want, give feedback.
Who has God put on your heart to pray for?
Who is God directing you to love in uncommon ways?
What are your next steps this week to share the resurrection?
Who is God sending with you?
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