Friday, September 02, 2011

Hungry


Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?                         Ex 33:15-16

Labor Day officially ends the vacation season in the Gaddini home.  This weekend we will end it with a milestone as Anne and I launch Hannah to Azusa Pacific University and engage in their Freshman Orientation. (www.apu.edu

For weeks we have been preparing (How does one adequately prepare for this rite of passage?) and packing (The dorm room accoutrement expectation has changed drastically since I went to college!) making our lists and checking them twice.  The one item I didn’t have on my list was the presence of God.  That would be a key item, not just for vacations or rites of passage like college drop-offs, but for life in general.

Moses knew this because God’s presence was literally the only reason he lived past Exodus chapter 13!  It was God’s presence that initially got his attention in Exodus 3, it was God’s presence that got Pharaoh’s attention in Exodus 7-12.  It was God’s presence that rescued the Israelites in Exodus 14.  It was God’s presence that sheltered and served them as an ancient GPS by day and it was God’s presence that served as their flashlight, heater and protection by night (Ex 13:21).

Moses knew about God’s presence so it made sense that he would value it more than anything when he pondered his future and what was needed to be packed on his camel as he journeyed into the future.  The question I have been asking is what value God’s presence plays in my life and in the ministry of PCC.

Please don’t hear what I am not saying.  I understand how God has chosen to function for His church in these post-resurrection times.  I get that Jesus will never leave us (Heb 13:5) and that we have something better than a pillar of fire or a cloud, even better that Jesus as a human being! (John 16:7) I get that, but I still have to ask, how hungry am I for His presence?

Exodus 33:15-17 has been a game changer for me, not to the degree (yet) that it was to Moses (It was a deal breaker for him!), but I have been praying Moses’ prayer in Ex 33:15 and I have loved where God’s presence has led me…into some crazy, thrilling, scary, very uncomfortable, unforgettable places.  I have a feeling God’s presence is going to do the same for the PCC community this fall. 

Ask Him for Him, Church! Then hold on as we follow the Lamb wherever He goes! (Rev 14:14) 
This weekend we will continue in our Renew series on Colossians looking at Colossians 3:22-4:1.  Renewed Through Work.  A good topic for the Labor Day holiday, don’t you think?  Important musings follow!

I Love Being Your Pastor!