It's All About Jesus

This week we learned about the Living Word, the Bible, and how it all points directly to Jesus. So often, I know that I do, we forget that. We think they are just stories that are no longer relevant to our lives. But that is far from true.

The entire Bible can be summed up like this: Love God. Love People. That is God's command and what He is pointing us to. Everything He did, pointed us to that.

For example, the Law. To me the Law seemed like a bunch of randomly specific rules that God required of His people. I thought of it more as a way to govern than to love. The Law was actually meant to show the obedience of a nation to others. And the obedience was to reflect back to the greatness of God.

We were explained this using this story:
One of the base staff ladies in Montana had 11 kids (some of you maybe can relate). She would often have to go to the grocery store (understandably so). You would think corralling that many kids would be like herding cats, but she had a system. Every kid was to line up single file behind her from shortest to tallest. They were to hold onto the shirt in front of them and not say a single word. If they obeyed, they would be treated at home.

Can you imagine seeing that as you walked down the bread aisle?

The mother would often get praise and encouragement for the job she was doing (rightfully so). Sure the kids maybe got praise for their behavior. But even that was only because of the goodness of the mother.

That's what the Law was intended for. To display the obedience of a nation to the People. The obedience wasn't because the people were good but because God was good.

It all points to Jesus.

And you could use countless examples in the Old Testament that would follow that example, and the New Testament as well.

And that has been even more so on my mind this week as I have been thinking about the Kingdom a lot. More so in how it relates to me as I go back after DTS.

The Kingdom is everything. It isn't just specific churches or ministry, but everything. Its the mom at home with her 3 kids all day. Its the college student slogging away at his studies. Its the guy working 8-5. Its the teenager going to state basketball. All of these, and much more, fall under His Kingdom.

So how are we pointing people to Jesus in those moments? How are we pointing kids to Jesus when we discipline or love them? How are we pointing college students to Jesus by the way we study or live college life? How are we pointing people to Jesus in the mundane, stress, and challenges of the workplace? How are we pointing teammates and opponents to Jesus as we compete on the court?

Life becomes so much more exciting and important when you look at it that way. Everyday becomes a mission and adventure into His Kingdom.

The world truly comes alive.

I have continually been stretched and challenged by the lectures, community life, and life on the Coast. He has been so gracious to me by revealing more of Him and drawing me closer.

It all points to Jesus.

Other than that it has been a pretty average week.

We are in week two of outreach prep, so we are starting to see some of our roles defined and what ministry will look like. This week we are gathering funds for tickets and hoping to purchase them as well.

God showed up this week and revealed some of the disunity in the group. Awesome to see it revealed but pray that we can come together as a group and family.

Spent most of Saturday helping some of the staff move to a new house. Kept me busy but I was pretty wore out and exhausted. Hoping to be able to catch up on rest this weekend. (Also sorry because this is why the blog is a day late).

This week we are studying Lordship. Mark Parker is coming in to speak and I guess he is a 50-something year old spark plug. Really knows how to push buttons and get you asking questions. We will see what the week brings. Super stoked for it.

Prayer Requests:

• See more of Him in everything I do
• Growing desire for time with Him
• Unity among the 40 some students and staff
• India/Nepal Outreach preparations - currently gathering funds and searching for tickets
• Walk in obedience
• I would be able to love my housemates well

Cheers,

Zach

P.S. Found out that Aaron Rodgers's older brother Luke did his DTS here. He was here about the time Aaron was drafted and came into the league behind Favre.

So that's pretty neat.