Leadership, the Self-Life and the Kingdom
The Franciscan, Richard Rohr in his book on Simplicity wrote:
“Three things that in my opinion we have to let go of are
the following: First there is the compulsion to be successful. Second is the compulsion to be right –
even, and especially, to be theologically right…Finally there is the compulsion
to be powerful, to have everything under control.” (Simplicity –
the art of living – p. 44)
The Rarest of All Things
It has always been strange to me that as Christians we build our entire faith on a single great miracle, but at the same time we are very skeptical of the miraculous happening today. I know that often I’m doubtful when I hear of miraculous healings or any such things. A good understanding of miracles is sorely lacking in the Western Church today. So I would like to start to think about how the miraculous plays into missionality and the spreading of the Kingdom. I don’t even pretend to think I have the all the answers to this (especially not in 350 words) but I would like to posit a few ideas.
I think that the miraculous aspect of the Holy Spirit’s power must be rediscovered in order for the Kingdom of God to be spread in all its glory. In Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus tells John the Baptist that he is indeed the Messiah by pointing to both the preaching of the Gospel as well as the healings that were happening. If we are to continue Jesus’ ministry on earth then we also need to step out in healing the sick as well as proclaiming the Good News. Throughout scripture Jesus points to the miracles performed as witness to him being sent by God. We too are sent by God and therefore we also have access to this witness. This may seem a little strange and I don’t want to say that a ministry that isn’t seeing miracles is not from God. But I do think that miracles should be expected. I think C.S. Lewis says that miracles are the heavenly realm invading the earthly realm at a certain time and place. This is exactly what happens when the Kingdom of God is spread on earth. We are bringing more and more of the earthly realm under the dominion of and into contact with the heavenly. Therefore as we go spreading the Gospel and expanding the Kingdom we should not fear or be surprised by miracles but rather embrace them as God’s confirmation of our ministry and sending.