Seeking Togetherness
By Stephanie Powers
Jesus said that He had “fervently desired” to eat that last supper with His disciples before He suffered (Luke 22:15). He also eagerly awaited to leave them, both to return to His Father, and to allow Himself to return in Spirit to be with us each and together forever. He passionately loves us, and that is one and the same with His desire to be WITH US—Emmanuel, “God with us”.
Thus, we eagerly look at each other to see Him constantly. We look at each other and say, “I know you. You are a living stone! A living stone! Gather you to me and me to you, that we might fit together, having been cleanly cut in the quarry of His Love so that we fit together without even a scratching scraping sound, and commune with each other and Him.” (I King 6:7)
I have found a people who are in hot pursuit of this togetherness. They have taken it all seriously, this command that we love one another, share together, that all have (even more than) enough. It would seem that God has found a people He can trust to take something to the rest of the world, placing a sudden and fire-full burden in their hearts for the rest of this nation, and for nations across the oceans. He will carry them there on wings of Love, above the storm.
When they must go through the storm, the One Who makes it still in our hearts will be among them to carry them through, giving them enough Love and Grace to pave the way. They will count it an honor and privilege to share in His sufferings, to be persecuted for His namesake. They will rejoice, dance, and sing, as Paul and Silas did in prison, together.
If you claim to love God, whom you cannot see, and do not love your brother, whom you can see, then you deceive yourself.” (I John 4:20)
How did He love?—He came and lived among us, sharing his whole life with us. He was with us, healed us, raised the dead, fed the hungry, comforted the grieving, and lifted up the poor. How can we live and breathe this when living in isolation, self-reliance, and protection? How can we challenge ourselves to open up to others’ input in our lives on a daily basis so that we might be fully prepared for the Day of the Lord, together? He will come for a pure and spotless Bride. She will not be crippled, missing and eye or a hand or having a shriveled leg. No, she will be perfect—perfect in love for her Lord and perfect in Love for His Body, His Temple.
Emmanuel, God with us. God with US. “Do not fear, for we have come with tidings of GREAT JOY which will be for all people.”
Over and over again we see more writings about community, the dangers (both physical and emotional) of being alone, of the need for social network, the need for belonging… More writers and speakers are heralding the joy and life in covenantal relationship. The Lord has so much more for us as we walk in His ways with His people: a belonging that heals, an accountability and directness that cleanse a dedication that costs a lot but brings SO MUCH MORE in return-an endless loop of blessing. If we will only seek it and keep seeking it, we shall find it and keep finding it, and we will never leave or forsake one another because we carry a name now that must breed who we are.
“We did not make it; no, it is making us,” as Rich Mullins sang. We are a people, a City, a Temple. We bear in us the Lover of the Ages. He has married us. He has made us fruitful in the land of our suffering, and hopeful in a place with no hope because of who He is. He sustains and feeds His sheep with all we need, and so we do the same.
“Peter, do you love Me?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love You.”
“Feed my sheep.”
God keeps directing His people to the truth that our love for each other is the same, an out-flowing of our love for Him—it is the same thing; it cannot be divorced one from the other.
Why is there so much suffering in the world? At least in large part, it would seem it’s because of us. We have handcuffed Him—He’s there with all the passion of His very Spirit, ready to multiply the tiny loaves and fishes we pry our hands away from, and yet has limited Himself to His Body—His hands and feet. We must feed one another, pry our greedy fearful hands away from all our stuff (because they’re HIS hands, and it’s HIS stuff), and become vessels instead of closed circuits. Indeed, it is our food to do His will. That is more real than the food we have on our table every day.
Is the life hard? Oh yes, in many ways. It means giving up everything, and repenting of all sin, letting go of all that divides. But what a return—life more abundant, free, full of joy, a never-ending cycle of love and communion. (“I say these things to you that your joy may be full!” John 15:9-13)
We give up privacy, independence, stubbornness, willfulness, and agree to live as an open book before many eyes and hearts, many parents, brothers and sisters. And what love! Might we take a step of courage and open our hearts to others who bear Christ? He speaks to us through the smallest child and through the most unexpected brother or sister if we will listen and receive it. What better boot camp in preparation for Eternity? I want to be prepared for that day when the fire of the Lord shines upon me, burning hay and stubble and leaving only that which is eternal.
Oh God, protect us from hoarding and holding that which will burn and rot at the cost of what could have been eternal treasure that shines forever. I want to glory and rejoice in that fire and not look back and turn to salt. What shall I do but lay myself open to as many who will hold me and walk with me, challenge me, and not retreat in the face of my selfishness and pettiness, my greed and self-protection, my grumbling and unthankful spirit?
In heaven, we will be in each other’s rooms, won’t we? Even God has a room—it is His temple, and amazing love: He has chosen to make HIS room, HIS tabernacle, made of living stones—US!? We are HIS room! How can it be? He is already Them, a three-some, and has been since Eternity, yet has chosen to enclose Himself in…. Us. And Us…in Them. Yes, in me, too, but we fit together to make a tent for Him.
I in Him, Him in me, Him in you, and thus, me in you, you in me. He always wants to be with us, and us with Him—shouldn’t we wonder at our puny pea-sized hearts when we don’t want to be with the Him that is in you and you and you? For surely He does and has made a way to never leave you and you and you, to live in your very heart forever and forever. “What wondrous love is this, oh my soul?!”
But what if I don’t like you? Ahhh, there’s the rub. It is only my puny pea-sized heart that would read Psalm 139 for myself in my lowest moments and not for you! For you are fearfully and wonderfully made by His hand, formed in your mother’s womb and called out as His own. I’d best agree with Him or find myself very, very wrong at the end of the day. I will chase after you and find those pearls in you, a diamond that reflects His Glory and the desires of His heart when He formed you.
“She is so beautiful.” I’m sure the angels say it with breath-taken awe and wonder as they gaze on the Body of Christ, a redeemed people crowned with Glory. I say it, too, as I gaze at her loveliness; it is perfect only by grace and the granted righteousness that She is clothed with. She retreats not from conflict and hurt, but steps into it in Love, and in dependence on the One who She knows can make it Right. She hesitates not to give of all She has, in return for something much greater indeed – a love that saves Her, is greater than all Her sin, covers a multitude of sin, and sustains and bears Her up on wings. It is a love that walks with Jesus to Calvary with cross on His back, for a Glory ahead.
Thank you, RCV, for taking me in as your own, for inspiring me with your little and big acts of love, for always “getting two people,” and for dancing and playing your way through life with such God-sized Drama. Up to the Highlands we go, together, forever. There will always be enough. What a joy. What a delight. What a wonderful Mystery.
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Stephanie Powers recently spent four years in East Africa, first doing nutrition project management in Tanzania for a stateside university and later serving in mission work in Uganda with Favor Of God. She visited Rose Creek Village for a month (September/October 2007) during her furlough and time of transition. She will soon begin nursing studies for a Master’s degree to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and looks forward to eventually returning to Africa or wherever God leads.
Posted on Nov 29, 10:59 AM | Categorized under Articles—
