How does Jesus do it? When and where? Mostly, but not always, in the fellowship of the church, the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments, the prayers of the people, the fellowship of the body of Christ living under the Word, the frequent gathering for praising the Creator Redeemer God, and then being sent out by the Holy Spirit to do God’s work in the world.
Unless God opens the eyes, we cannot see what must be seen to fulfill our mission. A tragedy of the recent years of focus on reuniting long-separated denominations and simultaneously having to deal with the great societal issues of the day which turn on foundational principles of theology and ethics is that many of us have stopped looking at the world around us to which we are called to serve after the manner of Jesus.
Who’s there? What questions are they asking? Where do they live? What do they need? Do they know the Christian community is here? How do they perceive the body of Christ? As friend, or enemy, or do they even notice?
The regular gathering for worship and praise and the going out for witness and service are both critical for the mission of Christ’s church in any day.
Somehow the vicious cycle must be broken — of spiraling downward in numbers and in spirit, the sense of hopelessness and despair about what can be done with the church, not to mention the world. And that brings us to the concept of what might be called holy waiting.
Often restless Presbyterians are not willing to wait for God’s will to be made known — plainly — to man, in such a way that it becomes the consensus of the faithful. The word we need to hear clearly today is: Wait on the Lord. The Lord is coming. The Lord is speaking and acting. Stop, look, listen. Stop talking and listen. Look beyond the immediate perimeter of one’s own existence. Let the mind’s eye be led near and far by the Spirit, directing us to those who are lost, hungry, in prison, without clothing or shelter, desperate for water — and for the water of life.
Think of these in the mind’s eye. Pray for them. And then look for them, where you are, and listen for a word from the Lord about what to say or do in Christ’s name.
How precious, even, is the gift of a single cup of cold water in the name of Jesus Christ! And with the work and blessing of the Holy Spirit, that water will lead to the living water which brings life from the Savior.
And now the time has come for your editor of the last 15 years to end one form of Christian service in order to enter new ones. It is my firm conviction that the Lord has guided this process and will continue to do so, ensuring that soon a capable new editor will be called by The Outlook directors to carry on this sacred work on behalf of the church and in obedience to Jesus Christ. Please pray for all involved in this transition.
Robert H. Bullock Jr., Outlook editor for the past 15 years, is retiring as of Oct. 31.
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