Our Mission - Part IV
This is the last post in regard to our three part mission statement.Moved by Ancient Wisdom
Engaging a New Renaissance
Working Toward a Coming Shalom
Today I want to talk about this last statement. Shalom is the way in which the prophets talked about a day when all things would be put right again. Those things that have become corrupt and polluted would be re-made in such a way that it would take our breath away. Through imagery and story, their words painted a picture of how things are supposed to be. People would no longer be looked at as tools and property in the hands of the powerful, but as people made in the very image of God. People would not try to build their own kingdoms in which they rule in their own way, but would glady be a part of the kingdom of God, letting God be God, so that peace would prevail in the world. They pictured a world in which the environment that was originally created good would become freed of the curse. They spoke of a place in which people would genuinely love each other.
So then Jesus in the line of the prophets comes and says something utterly amazing. When his followers asked him how to pray, one of the profound statements he made was that we should actually pray that these things would come about. He said to pray, "May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." He was telling his followers to pray for the coming of shalom, to pray that the world might be made right again. That peace, beauty, justice and love would prevail over violence, hate and corruption.
In the same way, Jesus invites us all to become active partners with God in the redemption of the world, just like the prophets talked about. And though we won't see the fullness of that reality immediately, we can live with the hope that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, what was started will be finished. Until then, we are to pray and work so that what is true in heaven would be true on earth.
posted by J.R. Woodward @ 11:38 PM
5 Comments:
JR-thanks for sharing and reminding us of the vision!
Hey JR-
Do you mind if I use these three entries on our mission statement to share with my supporters on my site? Crediting you and linking back to you site of course.
Lane,
Of course I don't mind. Please feel free to do so.
Matt and Emily,
Thank you for the encouragement.
Peace
wait a minute, are you quoting your roomate?
joe you are the man. i haven't seen you wear that suit around here much, only on special occassions?
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