Become What You Believe

Some recent conversations have revolved around being what we believe, not telling it but being it. Also around the fact that by building relationships with others I then have permission to talk of what I believe, having first “been” what I believe.

Meditating on Matthew 9 in Eugene Peterson’s wonderful text of The Message there have been some bold words to ponder:

- Jesus is impressed by bold belief. It gets His attention. This blends courage and passion.
- This bold passion involved relationship (paraplegic) and touch (hemorrhaging woman) that brought freedom. Bold belief and courage got Jesus attention
- Jesus said “become what you believe”. Becoming means it is process that is always in the present. It means living, actively living. It is intensely personal because it is what “I” believe. Not the words, but the actions that will take me into relationship with others and not isolation.
- Jesus said “I’m after mercy, not religion. I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders”. This was in response to the Pharisees criticizing his eating with the “riff-raff”. The Pharisees wanted rules and not relationship. Jesus words here are so powerful but His words came after His actions. He was being mercy, He was being in relationship.

Oh Abba, I want that bold belief that blends courage and passion. Abba I want to become, be in constant process of layers of isolation of my heart being removed so that I am in intimate relationship with You. Let this transfer to authentic relationship with community. Abba, may the ruach of Your Spirit be my breath so my words flow from You being in me.