There is a tension that exists! A necessary tension that helps to create the beautiful. As I tune my guitar the right tension across six strings allows me to play a melody, a harmony, to create a song that would not be possible without tension. This beautiful tension exists everyday between God’s people and the lost and broken of this world. It is uncomfortable, often painful and always costly. Yet, without question it is necessary and unavoidable if we want the dead to be brought to life in Christ!
Our ideas, beliefs, our very identity in Christ will collide with the lost at work, at school, with our neighbors, friends and relatives. We can want to run and hide from the tension but if we want to truly be His followers we cannot. Are we busy sterilizing, creating the protective bubbles, becoming insulated and unchallenged, avoiding the tension?
If we are not careful some of the most insulated and unchallenged places can be our churches, our small groups, our Christian homes and lives. God sends us out to be in the world but not of the world, to be salt and light, to live among the dead and to shine life and light. We cannot be satisfied creating safe zones that allow us to live our lives without this tension. Existing in places where we have no need to fear encountering the lost, the hurting, and the broken. Are we running from the lost? do we fear becoming infected or that our families will be contaminated? We have been inoculated! We have received the cure from death! That is what we Celebrate in Easter, The triumph of the Cross!
Jesus gave himself for us as a Holy sacrifice! if we have been freed, why fear? Why fear the chains of others? Why do we run from this beautiful tension?! The beautiful tension Jesus has sent us to create, it’s the Beautiful Tension someone created to reach you! Create the Beautiful Tension with family members, neighbors, coworkers, and all those who don’t know Jesus! Begin the conversation and make the most of this Easter season.
14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
John 17:14-19 NLT