Posted by Mister Metal on October 04, 2002 at 23:45:08:
In Reply to: The War - Part 2 posted by Pastor Steven on October 04, 2002 at 13:45:14:
: News flash:
: Last week or two we have battled efforts by the enemy to separate us through various offenses and misunderstandings. We faced the attack head-on and overcame. This week the attack is a bit more subtle. Depression is a huge factor in at least 5 lives I know of right now, and I am sure is it happening in many more that have not wanted to cloud the friendly skies by sharing it. While I appreciate the desire not to weigh down the festivities, we all need to realize that the real danger is in withdrawing--in trying to work out our personal embarrassment in private, trying to personally fight our individual battles so we can once again be part of the happy collective. But most you will not be successful in your quest alone. It's like the Watts quote that funkycat shared about trying to bite your own teeth.
: A camera cannot take a picture of itself--not without some kind of mirror. We can not find ourselves or discover our identity in a completely satisfying way apart from the way our relationships with our loved ones define us. And for many of you right now, the quest is very much an identity issue. You aren't sure who you are, but you know you don't like yourself, and you feel like a colossal failure. You also feel like it is your fault, like there is something wrong with you, or something you have done that has resulted in this--that you deserve it. In the next moment, you may feel the opposite--that it is totally unfair. You may feel anger. You think perhaps God is behind this in some way. You question your position as a child of God, and search in vain for the remnants of your faith, for evidence of God's favor. You feel desolate. How can you not question your position in the body of Christ? And how can you not withdraw?--at least until you make some sense of the madness, of the guilt, unworthiness, worthlessness, futility, meaninglessness, and hopelessness. You know that the answer to your despair is found in the mystery of your identity and eternal destiny in Christ. But the mystery is largely revealed within the body and through the body. Just as a surgeon cannot operate on himself, you cannot prophesy over yourself, heal yourself, bless yourself, or "name" yourself (referring to the L'Engle concept we discovered to be powerful). This is really what is needed now--some truly prophetic naming and blessing, straight from God, through each of us--TOGETHER. The healing is inevitable. The transformation will be powerful.
: We are not ignorant of the enemy's tactic to divide and conquer. Do not withdraw. Together we are far too strong for him. Together Christ is far too strong in us.
thanks pastor steve..this is exactly whats been on my heart these past few days and once again you have this way pastor of addressing those very things i need to hear right exactly when i need to hear them...i just have to say..i been tryin to reach out to those around me and have been burnt out..as some have been avoidin me like the plague..its been really draining me..many of those who i have chosen to call friends have internalized their problems to the point that the very arms that reach out to them in love are dodged...its been truly sad..i was just thinkin about this..and i am glad you mentioned it..as you are better with your ways of bringin about an issue for conversation..all i can say to those who i have been a friend to...is...hey..i know its hard..i know you go through things..you dont have to even tell me about it all..just realize that there are people who care..and running into your lil safe cave isnt gonna do ya a bit of good..try to realize that we are all in this together..ok? love you guys..i know i am way too much for many of yall..some of you have no clue as to what to do with me...oh well i am here for some good i think..so yeah..i just hope i have said something of substance that can be reflected upon...