As I was running this morning, I thought about the many parks are in our area.  There is quite an investment of land and tax payer dollars into green space for people to enjoy.  That says something about where our governing bodies place value.  It seems to me that there is is shift in people's values today.  The driveness of the 1980's is not as prevelant today, and some of that has been replaced by people realizing that in striving 24/7 to attain the American dream, we miss out on the life we have already. 

By all means there is a time and a place to work, and push forward, but there is also a time to step away from it all and breathe.  I think there is a huge message in this for Christians and the Christian church.  I have been part of the driven church, the church that is about success, and growth, and size, and getting it done.  I also have been among the church that that has rebelled against the institutionalized church.  I have been frustrated with the machine that much of the church has become.  Where is the church that seeks Jesus?  Where is the church that would give its life for another?  Where is the church of faith, who will trust Jesus over common sense when and where the Spirit leads?  Where is the church that listens to God instead of telling God what they are going to do, and then asks Him to get on board with His blessings in tow?

I want to be part of the church that learns the rhythm of God.  We rest, we work; We draw close, we are sent out; We weep together, we laugh together;  We learn; we practice; We fail, we are restored;  We forgive, we are forgiven; We are built up, we build up.  I think that rhythm is part of what Paul calls "walking in step with the Spirit."

I watched the church of the 80's ask God to step aside while they took over building his kingdom program.  Its interesting that the Bible talks about us being built into a Spiritual house, not us building a Spiritual house.  People use to say that I use to physically build churches (construction), and now I built churches in another way (pastoring).  That never set well with me.  Partly because I was doing church work long before I ever considered God could be calling me to be a pastor, but also because it is Christ who builds the church.  It is intersting that I carry the title missionary/church planter, not church builder.  Paul even points out that we sow seeds, we water, but it is God who gives the increase. 

The church has picked up a burden it was never intended to carry (growing and building churches).  This is God's responsibility.  Even David tried to build a house/temple for God, even the prophet Nathan thought this sounded good, but God didn't.  Instead God turned David's idea up-side-down.  God said that HE would build a house for David.  Think how much lighter the church would travel if we set down burdens that are not ours, and we picked up the cross, walking in step with the Spirit, and in the rhythm of life laid out for us by God Himself.

Enjoy the green space in life.  I think David refers to it as the green pastures that The Good Shepherd leads us into.  Then refreshed, sow His seed, partake in The Living Water (Jesus), and watch God bring the increase in you and those around you.