July 1, 2009

“Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but accomplish the will of the One who sent me.” John 6:37-38 The Message

What does an insider look like …?

… You … a formerly-running outsider … trying to open all the right doors on your own … trying to find another way in … trying to accomplish God’s will on your whims. You probably don’t call them whims .. maybe good intentions .. best efforts .. or gave it my best shot. Jesus describes the outsider: he or she is running toward the Father. He .. the Father .. uses all kinds of circumstances .. persons .. disappointments .. failures .. frustrations .. struggles .. and deeply buried longings that lead us to Jesus. There is good news: Everyone on the inside was once on the outside. Some arrive running .. some arrive exhausted .. some arrive scared .. some arrive being carried by friends .. some arrive rejected and abused .. some arrive at the brink of death and darkness. All arrive with nothing but themselves .. you included. Jesus doesn’t let go. He holds on even when you are trying to slip through his fingers. He holds on in the darkest moments. He holds on in the barren times when nothing seems to bear fruit. He holds on when there is no joy in sight. He holds on when everything is going great and you drift away. God wants Insider-sons and Insider-daughters who have eyes open for runners. Life in Jesus is having Outsider Eyes with an Insider’s Grip. You belong to Him .. He doesn’t let go … and You become a Sent One in the name and spirit of Jesus. It only takes a moment …

“In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.” Romans 11:32 The Message

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Former-Outsiders-Now-Fully-Insiders following Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)