Dust Storms

I've been thinking a lot lately about what makes a church successful.  I don't mean in terms of having lots of members or being very visible -- I mean in terms of what God has called us to do:  make disciples.  What is it that draws us to our churches?  What is it about our church that makes it attractive to our community?

Sometimes it's a charismatic speaker.  Or a talented worship leader.  Paul had this to say about placing our attention on someone other than Christ:

From II Corinthians 4 --

^5-6Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
 ^7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. . . 


17-18There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.


The other day I wondered if I should get braces to straighten my teeth.  Then I remembered -- why would I do that, or any other cosmetic-type thing, when this body is so temporary?  When I remember that we are dust, it all comes back into perspective.  We are so small, and God is so big and bright and perfect.  How do we ever miss Him?


Lord, please open my eyes today to Your overwhelmingly obvious glory, filling up and spilling out of those who love you -- and the clarity of vision to see what is You and what is dust -- 


xoxox