More than just for me

We've had some interesting weather here recently. The sky will be blue; fluffy white clouds, and then a thunderstorm will rush in, crashing into the area with thunder and lightning and pouring the rain. The image in the post today is of one of those storms. Standing in the parking lot of the mall, we could see decent weather to the west and these huge thunderclouds to the east, with green light (icky!) and lightning.

As we drove home, there was no rain, and then all of a sudden, we would drive up to the edge of the rain, and get pelted.

Is life ever like that? Are there times when we don't even notice what's happening in the world around us because we are enjoying blue skies and white clouds?

The fourth characteristic of a robust gospel is that it has a grand vision.

Are there times when our faith boils down to a tiny view? Are there times when we see God's work as the salvation of our own soul, and nothing else?

The mission of the United Methodist church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. There is a "so that" to God's work in the world. His vision is grand. His purpose is to have a relationship with each one of us -- one on one -- but he isn't willing to stop there. The truth is robust.

The gospel of Christ should do more than just change our own personal life. The robust gospel of Christ will motivate us to reach out as Christ's hands and feet so that the world may be changed. Anything else is too small.