Define the Relationship #WilcoWednesday

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.”  So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do.  Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. And let’s respond to God’s call with  a hearty “Wilco, Lord!” Welcome my friend Jenny as she shares a powerful heart message with us. 

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Here we are – 2016 has begun!

I could happily write a blog about Christmas cheer and ambitious New Year resolutions.  I could talk about all my hopes and diet plans for the year ahead.  I want to write about those things.  But God has something else in mind for our time together today….

On Christmas Eve, after the cheerful day was winding down, my husband and I began reflecting on a rather deep question.  “What does the state of our world look like to someone who has not entered into a committed relationship with Jesus Christ?”  Whoa.  That’s heavy.  We tried to look objectively at the facts that fill our Facebook newsfeeds and nightly television broadcasts.  The world is riddled with brokenness, heartbreak, bondage, and disease.  We see parents behaving like children, and children being forced to grow up too fast.  We hear of murder in our neighborhoods, our schools, our churches.  We see people being persecuted and refugees fleeing in fear for their lives.  We watch as this happens around us and debate about who or what to blame.  Lessened morals result in stricter laws, and we continue to move towards political correctness with good intention to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

Objectively, I can’t help but notice a pattern.  As efforts progress to become more politically correct, we see a depletion of God from public realms.  We hope to create equality, however, the world continues to spiral out of control.  Progress is made to appease some, but equally opposes others.  Inevitably one step forward, two steps back.  So then, objectively, doesn’t it make sense to look at this from another angle – to try something different?

What if this battle we are facing is bigger than us, and we admit that there is something behind the forces of good and evil.  What if there really is a heaven and a hell, and what I choose in this life ultimately determines where I will spend eternity?  Might our current world’s situation look different?

The Bible teaches of moral correctness – not political.  The Bible is black and white on this.  Jesus is black and white on this.  Kyle Idleman helps break it down for us in his book “Not a Fan”.  He sets the scene.  You sit down at a table in a local coffee shop.  Jesus comes in and sits down next to you.  He skips past the small talk and gets right to the point.  He looks you in the eye and says “It’s time we define this relationship”.  Idleman explains, “Whether you’ve called yourself a Christian since childhood, or all of this is new to you, Jesus would clearly define what kind of relationship he wants to have with you.  He wouldn’t sugarcoat it or dress it up.  He would tell you exactly what it means to follow him.”  Scripture backs up this point:  Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  Luke 9:23

He doesn’t say you can just dip your toes a bit or bring along your floaty.  There is no luke-warm.  No gray area.  Either you are in — or you’re out.  A fan may cheer for Jesus from the sidelines, but a follower is playing with him on the field.  Oh, and in order to join His elite team, you must surrender everything to Him.  Daily.  This is how He defines His followers.  Imagine what this world might look like if Jesus had as many followers as Katy Perry does on Twitter – that’s nearly 80 million, in case you were wondering.  This world will never find a perfect peace, but in the midst of it there is HOPE!  There is JOY!  There is LOVE!  It comes in an all-or-nothing package named Jesus Christ.

As we enter 2016, let us begin with Idleman’s three letters:  D.T.R. (Define the Relationship).  Make this your utmost important resolution, and allow your heart to be moved in radical ways.  Set our focus for this world from “conforming” to “restoring”.  Let us pray for one another that our eyes and hearts would be opened to see who and what is really at battle here.  Let us claim the victory that is ours, through Jesus Christ!  AMEN?!!

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  1 Peter 5:6-10

Jenny is blessed to be the wife of a soldier – active for 4+ years, National Guard now for several months.  She and her husband  have 3 rockin’ kiddos – ages 9, 4, and 1.  They love camping, hiking, and all sports!  Her absolute favorite place to connect with the Lord is in the stillness of the outdoors.  She is the 2015-16 Retreats Coordinator for Fort Lewis PWOC and absolutely loves connecting with other women through faith in Jesus Christ!