Jim Pace

Diaspora Week Three…

June 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

I have to say, I have LOVED hearing from everyone who has posted a comment or sent me an email. Please keep them coming. God is doing some very cool things through our doing some very simple things.

That being said, what I am also hearing is that there are a number of people who are starting to feel like they are behind on some aspect of the weekly focus, prayer or action step(s).

Cool. Let’s do this, let’s say that this is one of two things: a catch up week or a continuation of what you have already been doing.

If you are on it and rolling, then continue to roll. Continue to ask God for ways to demonstrate the God-flavoring that we are all called to be. Pray expectantly for opportunities (be they big or small) to chat with people about how you view God interacting in the world. Now remember, this isn’t just helping people understand their need for Jesus’ forgiveness and guidance. It certainly involves that, but it isn’t just that. Salt simply takes what it is on and brings out the flavor. Trust God to place you in situations and simply talk about what you notice.

This past week I was at a wedding and about half of one of the families was from Utah and were Mormon. At one point during the reception, I was talking with a couple of friends and the grandfather of the groom came up to me and asked me what I thought about marriage in heaven. I referred to a situation where some Pharisees were attempting to trick Jesus. In his answer, Jesus seems to pretty clearly say that in heaven we won’t have marriages. As hard as that seems to me to grasp, it seems like when we are fully present with God, we won’t be lacking for connection (either with Him or one another) and so marriage won’t be an issue. This is just one issue that Mormonism views differently from Christianity.

We then went on to discuss my views on who Jesus was and what our role is with him and what his role is with us. I asked the grandfather some questions and that was that.

Even though I feel strongly that Mormonism is missing the key component of our need of Christ, it wasn’t the time for that discussion and so we didn’t have it. I tried to bring out the work of God as I understand the scriptures communicate it, and that was that.

There have definitely been times where I have debated those points and tried to communicate where I see Mormonism coming up short.

All that to say, remember, salt brings out the flavors it is put on. Allow God to guide you to share what seems right. Don’t assume you always need to argue with people about God to show you are bold, and don’t assume you should never discuss specifics of your faith out of fear you won’t have all the answers right then.

Simply ask God to, more and more, allow you to bring out the his flavor. Just talk about him, see where it all goes.

For those that need a catch up week, enjoy! 🙂 We can all use them from time to time. I would encourage you to really try to walk through what we have been talking about and then post to share your experiences with us all. One of the things I have also heard about this group is that a number of people are more encouraged by what the group shares than what I do. Cool by me.

I will leave you with the Message’s translation of the section we looked at last week (and now this week.)

“You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world?”

Very simple thought, yet very powerful. May peace be with you all this week. Jim

Categories: Diaspora, General, life