As we wrap up the day-long break in the Lausanne Congress, this prayer from Ephesians seems very appropriate. Paul offered up this prayer for the Ephesians and it has great application to us today.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV
The first few days of Cape Town 2010 came like a rush as people arrived at the site from all over the world. At the same time others were coming online and beginning to read through the tidal wave of articles, videos, blogs, and social media posts. This immersion into new cultures, ideas and experiences was most certainly overwhelming.
But after a few days of engaging from afar, interacting at a GlobaLink site or immersing in the Cape Town site, I’m sure that many of you are starting to feel more comfortable and to process what you are hearing.
Today was a break from the activity and it was a chance for everyone involved to gather their thoughts and consider what has already taken place. Some people in Cape Town visited friends, others explored the city, many were involved in ministry outreach projects and some groups held special meetings and interacted together on their experience so far.
Whatever your activity today, I pray that you used the time to process what you have seen, heard and experienced. But more than just process it, I hope you have asked God to give you a clear vision for your response.
One thing we know for certain . . . Lausanne is not a spectator’s event. The Congress and the many global outlets exist to bring out the best thinking about evangelism in the Global Church and chart a course for the future.
God wants a response from each of us. That may take many forms. The form should not be our focus today, but the act of obedience should. If we are to join “together with all the saints” to grow in our understanding of God’s plans and desires for us in this world, then we must be courageous enough to share the response that God is placing on our hearts.
How do we go about responding? As for motivation, Paul prays that we will respond with love. In regards to courage, Paul prays that we will be strengthened by the Spirit. And for what purpose? Paul prays that we will be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
We are at the turning point of the Congress. The first three days affirmed a strong foundation of truth, defined our roles as the “living stones” of God’s temple on earth and lifted our eyes to God’s cosmic plans. Along the way we dealt with real and present issues facing us as a Global church.
Now that we have collected our thoughts, interacted with those we trust, prayed about what we have experienced and immersed ourselves in God’s Word, it is time to respond.
My challenge to you comes in three parts:
- Ask God to provide you with an opportunity to share with someone who is not from your delegation, your church, your city . . . about what God has stirred in your heart from the first days of this event.
- Entrust yourself to someone who can hold you accountable to respond lovingly and courageously when God asks you to bring your response.
- Pray Paul’s prayer for your fellow believers who are also being asked to bring their response.