Street

It's no secret that Erin and I are currently on an expedition to find at least a small part of the plans God has for us. This journey began in February when our church family's leadership announced that two of the three elders (families we know and love dearly) would be moving to Virginia to pursue the plans God has for them.

On the Sunday this information was announced to the congregation, the great theologian Nathan Elmore (who is himself one of the elders who will be moving) preached one of the greatest sermons I have ever heard. It was in a sermon series about "living generously," and the title of the sermon was "Street." The sermon was about intentionally living generously by choosing where you live. (Here's a link if you would like to listen to it yourself).

I don't think I can tell you about the sermon in any words that would be better than just quoting it. I like quotes anyway, so here it goes:

"Streets are yet another occasion to live generously, I think; to follow Jesus more fully by demanding to live a life, no matter where it takes you, that is broken open and spilled out for the benefit of others."

"Anyone desiring to be friends with God should certainly be aware of this distinct possibility: that he might call us to pitch a tent on unfamiliar streets, to inhabit particular places that we wouldn't otherwise call home. The heart of friendship with God is the reality of where following God sometimes leads; and that is literally to the neighborhoods and subdivisions, the countries and tribes, to the people who are most in need of God's outlandish generosity."

"This morning I'm strongly suggesting when you arrive at the moment when you can freely choose, pitch your tent somewhere near Abraham's street - which being interpreted, means - live for the narrative of God and choose your street accordingly."

"The only way to become change agents in broken and busted communities, the only way to cure desperately sick communities, is to become a part of them for the long haul."

"Questions, I think, that the City of God and the Kingdom of God make urgent, are questions like these: Who needs to know that God reigns? Who could stand the knowledge that they are loved by the king of the world - and are we able to go and pitch a tent by them? Who are you equipped to help, or assist, or heal, or restore in the name of Jesus for the sake of the Gospel, and do you have the faith and courage to become their neighbors?

Take some time with these questions. You can't answer these questions in a Sunday morning sermon, you can't possibly answer them in that short a time. Take some time with these questions - don't rush. The kingdom of God is a slow urgency. These questions and considerations are not simple, they are personal and complex. You have to know yourself. You have to be in love with God. You have to actually know about the neighbors in this world. And all of these things are easier said than done. And furthermore, after all the questions and considerations God just might say, 'I know it's not exactly home, but - be my friend.'"

Nathan Elmore

I got caught up in that just typing it. I guess it's obvious to see how I sat there that Sunday morning in March and felt I was hearing God speak to me. I felt I was hearing him ask Erin and I to ask these questions, and to hear his answers.

Thus the adventure began.