Readings for today: 1Kings 15:25-34, 1 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 17
For over ten years, I’ve been teaching at a local seminary. The focus of my work is usually evangelism and mission though occasionally I teach some pastoral leadership courses. Whenever I teach, I try to focus my students outward. On the community where they are planted and where they will serve. One way I do that is through what I call the “Immersion Experience.” Basically, the student has to go out into the community and find a local gathering place. It could be a coffee shop, bar, gym, park, you name it. Just a place people in the community gather and spend intentional time there. Usually I ask them to reflect on a question or two while they are there as well. This is not just something I ask my students to do. It’s a practice I engage in myself. For almost sixteen years, I’ve been hanging out at Fika Coffee on Main Street or the Tailgate Bar and Grill in my community. I’ve built relationships with baristas and bartenders. Servers and general managers. Regulars who frequent these establishments. It’s been fun to get to know them. It’s led to all kinds of wonderful Spirit-filled conversations. I’ve been able to share the gospel many times over. Simply because I am present. Simply because I am there.
One of the more amazing things about the reign of Jehoshaphat is he sends his officials and Levites out to teach the people. He sends them out of Jerusalem into the surrounding villages and towns and communities to share the Word of God. They take the Law of God with them and they go throughout all of Judah to preach and to teach and the result is amazing. The “terror of the Lord” falls on all the kingdoms surrounding Judah. Some of them even bring tribute to Jehoshaphat. Why? Because Israel is always at her strongest when she is at her most obedient. The more faithful she is to the Law, the more the Lord protects her and brings her peace. The more she aligns her heart with God’s heart, the more she is blessed. It is the Lord who protects her. It is the Lord who strengthens her. It is the Lord who is her fortress and strong tower. This is the point I think the author is trying to make by placing Jehoshaphat’s educational reforms before the description of his military might. Because one necessarily follows the other. Jehoshaphat would have no strength if he didn’t have the Lord.
Now fast forward two thousand years. Imagine what could happen if churches would focus more on their “sending” capacity rather than their “seating” capacity. Imagine what could happen if individual Christians fulfilled their calling to take the light of the gospel to the world, starting in their own homes and neighborhoods. Imagine what could happen if we saw ourselves as sent out to teach the Word of the Lord to everyone in our community. This is the heart of what it means to be missional. It means we focus all of our energy and effort outward to a world in desperate need. It means we take all that we have learned and all that we have been given and we seek to share it with those around us.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 17-19