Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Greater than Apple

This week, I was struck by the story on the Huffington Post about an inspiration note that was left on the desk of an employee at Apple when they got hired. Here it is. The person who put it up on Instagram  included these words: “What greets you on your first day at Apple. I've had this taped to my dresser for two years. Words to live by.” The text of the letter is interesting. "

Now here's my thought. As Christians, there is an even greater word to live by. The scripture, God's inspired word, and it's calls us to work that we should never compromise on. Work that we would always be willing to sacrifice a weekend for.  Work that we should be willing to sacrifice everything for. This work is to important to play it safe. This work is so important that we must be willing to live for, and if necessary, die for, because it's way bigger than us.

And here's what amazes me. This is what Apple challenges it's people when they come on board. What challenge do we lay before our people? Our work as Christians is far greater than the work done by corporations. Do we take it half as seriously? The work of the church, as a community, and as sent individuals, is work that is way bigger than anything Apple does. It's greater than the greatest business venture ever. It greater than the greatest venture ever - of any kind. This work is the work of the kingdom of God. It's the work of living in such a way that God is glorified, and people encounter the saving power of the gospel. It's work done only through the power of the Holy spirit, and as a result of encountering the Risen Savior.

All to often, church act as if we are offering something safe, and tame. We present Christ as the sweet Jesus boy, forgetting that "He is not a tame Lion" (with respect to C.S. Lewis). He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We cannot do that. Faith in Christ, a life lived for Christ, is not the shallow end stuff. It's heavy, and powerful, it's life at the deep end, and we should be challenging people, "come swim in the deep end", "encounter the king who is able to do more than you can ask or imagine, live for the king who is able to do more than you can ask or imagine,and understand that He wants to do more than you can ask or imagine through you, for the glory of his name".

Furthermore, in relationship to our work, Apple is right. We want our work to add up to something. Something big. I know that's true of me. I'll bet it's true of you. I believe that there is nothing bigger than living all out for God and seeking furthering of the kingdom of God and bring Him Glory in all you do. Apple says that they are doing something big that couldn't happen elsewhere. I disagree. They are making computers and phones. The church is doing something big, something that couldn't happen anywhere else. We are proclaiming and living out the life saving message of the gospel and seeking to get people to live for him and his glory as they move deeper and deeper into relationship with him through the gospel.

Therefore, to any new attender, to any new Christian, to anyone that we have the opportunity to bringing to faith in Christ, we should say, welcome to the family of God, welcome to gospel centered life, welcome to the church. Something big will happen here, something that couldn't happen anywhere else.

Welcome to life in Christ.

2 comments:

  1. Amen! You should have V do a plaque(like she did for our baptism) of that last paragraph and hang it at entry to the church, and also on the signs outside!!!

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  2. I love that idea Dennis. That last paragraph is awesome!

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