Chapter 13: Finding a Holy Purpose
Read Luke 4:18 – 19 (also on p. 182 of “Sacred Thirst”), in
which Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2.
What does this tell us about Jesus’ own holy purpose? Barnes says (p. 183) “The purpose of
our insatiable thirst is not only to have it satisfied by worshiping in spirit
and truth, but to restore our lives as a blessing for the families of the
earth. Or, like Jesus, to pray
that we too may be anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to the poor.”
Do you ever find yourself turning off the news or putting
the newspaper down because it is just too much bad news? Too much pain and too much hurt? Barnes says (p. 184) “if we close our
eyes and stop up our ears to the injustice in the world, it will be impossible
to see any visions from God.” Consider worship in this context. Should our worship be a sanctuary,
shielding us from “the world?”
Barnes asks, “how is this worship helping to transform the world?” How can glorifying God, the true
purpose of worship, help to transform the world?
In the section “Spirituality Creates Leaders,” Barnes says
that leaders are not born. “They are created and shaped by worshiping
communities who instill their great visions into young lives.” (p. 188) How do you think we are doing
at this task with our youth?
Are they “being confronted with a holy purpose for their lives?”
In the last chapter we read that Jesus asked a big question:
“What are you looking for?” Here’s another BIG QUESTION: Is
your faith making a difference? Are
you leading other people to holiness?
Leading them to Jesus?
On page 192, Barnes says, “If you want to avoid being hurt
or ever having to experience failure, avoid at all costs any attempts to make a
difference.” Does this challenge
you? Are you ready to take on the
challenge? Have you “done your
time in the wilderness,” thirsting for God, so you are ready?
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