I believe we have seen a profound movement, over the past decade or two, of people metamorphosing out of religious mindsets and structured church settings into a greater freedom in Christ.
However, I sense that many who have become butterflies do not fully know how to use their wings. There could be a host of people who are no longer caterpillars, whose wings are full of life, yet continue to walk because, for a variety of reasons, they are not ready to embrace the purposes God has called them to in their freedom. They are the walking butterflies.
Just a thought.
Here are some possible reasons why people may not yet be flying.
1. Some are still looking for another butterfly to hand them the external model for ‘how to do church.’ We are so accustomed to others showing us ‘the way’ that we continue looking for the ‘simple church manual’ or the ‘organic church step-chart’ that will give us the exact system to follow. In other words, some are not ready to trust that Jesus can speak to and lead them personally without someone else’s blueprint.
2. Some do not trust that God can help them connect with their unique destiny and Kingdom purpose. Or, perhaps more to the point, some are not willing to take the risk to step out into their own special Kingdom purpose and destiny. It’s just easier to lose themselves in lesser focuses.
3. Some still devalue themselves and/or their calling as being less significant than that of others.
4. Some avoid the silence and have not taken the time to seek God deeply in those quiet places where He can speak profoundly to them and give them the confidence as well as direction needed to move out and fly.
By the way, butterflies that never fly, never reproduce. Maybe as we all find ourselves and our courage, we will see a whole new generation of butterflies begin to emerge!
Comments
4 responses to “Walking Butterflies”
Good word Roger, thanks for sharing.
Roger,
You echo my burden with great clarity here. I sense that it is all too easy to get caught up in the “lesser purpose” of focusing on a simple church meeting.
I have a growing sense that God wants to give every believer or family of believers a specific location, person, group of people, or culture to engage (i.e. a mission field). Most of us are used to allowing a human leader identify the mission field and give us direction how to join them. I was in a meeting not too long ago where their was a great deal of discussion about making sure the congregation was not distracted from the identified ministries and designated outreach projects they wanted the people to focus their energies on.
Certainly we will all need the Body to serve along side of us, and leadership does involve helping others join in what God is doing. However, it also involves helping others to identify the calling they have in their own lives and helping them go with Jesus to where He is sending them!
In order to truly fly (and ultimately see reproduction) we all need to truly hear from the Lord about which direction He is sending us as individuals and families.
Thanks for sharing!
Gavin
http://www.simplechurchalliance.com
Roger,
I can identify with this. Thank you for sharing.
The key book to get is this one by Beresford Job:
http://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Church-Challenge-Un-scriptural-Traditions-ebook/dp/B00C8I5GNS/ref=cm_cr-mr-title