Jason's Blog

Today, I had the chance to hear Dallas Willard speak. He has such great insight. Here is the thought that I’d like to share with you– “people come to the kingdom of God through exile.”

When everything else falls apart, when our little kingdoms are ruined and lost, it is then that we can die and God’s life can live in us.

Unfortunately, most of us live like kings– making all our decisions based on what is best for us. We can be servants only when we have resolved that the only kingdom that matter is God’s. When his kingdom is before us, we can serve others fully and joyfully.

I am in San Antonio at the 2009 International Renovare Conference. I had the priviledge of hearing Eugene Peterson speak last night. He had a lot of great things to say about the Jesus Way and many of the ideas in the talk are covered in his book by the same name. But one thing he said really caught my ear. To be on the Jesus Way we have to be personal and immediate and relational. Jesus was all of these things. He called people by name, he was truly present to their needs and concerns. He made friends with his followers.

None of this is new but I find it to be a good reminder. We sometimes can drop down and make following Jesus, or his teachings into a program. Or we look at people as problems to be solved. Lord, forgive us when we do that (and when I do that).

In passing, Peterson noted that for children everything is personal, immediate, and relational. They are not interested in programs. They like to play. They live in the now. They give hugs, they crave being with friends, and even their parents. Sadly, over time they grow to be impersonal – less relational – more distant.

Maybe this is at the root of why Jesus said that we are to change and become like little children . . .

May you experience life the right way—the Jesus way.