Vertical Saturday

           Sometimes plans just have to change, and so do blogs. Today was one of those times. I’d planned a completely different blog, but events just got more vertical. And I have to write about this morning’s verticality.

            Lately I’ve been reading Vertical Church, by James McDonald. In essence the book is about focusing our lives and mission as a church on God and worshiping him. When we do that, asserts Pastor MacDonald, God manifests himself to his people, and lives are changed. Enough of the attempt to fill the church by offering what people want or what we think they want! Instead, offer them the opportunity to do what people are created to do: Worship God.

            Is the church like a library, the grocery, a sporting event, a concert? It shouldn’t be. Church is where God meets with his people, and it should be the most extraordinary place on earth. I confess I’ve spent and embarrassing number of Sundays of my life not thinking anything of the sort.  Now it’s becoming the cry of my heart. Better late than never!

            And this request fills my prayers for my church and the church at large, especially the church in America. Rabid for entertainment and hungry for satisfaction, we go from thing to thing to satisfy and amuse us, when all the time we are looking to connect with the God of the universe. When that connection happens, the earth doesn’t shake, the sky doesn’t blacken, magic doesn’t happen, but miracles do.

           
            And it did this morning.

            Today Saturday Sisters met at Marlene’s house. I’ve mentioned this Christian sisterhood that meets once a month for breakfast, devotions, and prayer. We love the time together. But today was amazing. Was it the delicious papusas? The beautiful ethnicities represented around the table? The chatter of women enjoying togetherness? The devotional and prayer? No. Those things were all the delightful norm of our meetings.

            What is happening is that God’s presence is with us, especially as we pray. We seek and crave his presence, grace to do his will, strength to overcome in the name of Jesus, courage to obey his ways. Tears, earnestness, prayers of confidence and supplication invite God to come and be with us. We love and want to know and do his work. It was anything but dull!

            Then one dear heart, who struggled with things most of us didn’t know about, took a chair in the midst of us, and we prayed desperately for her and whatever her struggles were that brought so many tears. Prayers poured out in Spanish and English and with groans and sighs for her to God, who hears and knows everything.

            When we concluded, God was only beginning.

That dear heart said she wanted to accept Christ! Within moments she made this request of God and became one of his children.

            Tomorrow I will see these sisters in church, where we will worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am looking for more of this work, as we focus our gaze upwards. When God comes, we are not the same; he transforms. I am not the same this afternoon, and I don’t think any of my Saturday Sisters are either. And I know that that dear heart is completely different than she was yesterday.

            It’s been a vertical Saturday.

            Tomorrow I anticipate a vertical Sunday! Glory!