Friends of God // Micah

When we consider God’s grand attributes, limitless power, boundary-less reign in light of our feeble flesh, limited capacity and hemmed in influence “relatable” is not the word that first comes to mind. Indeed many see God as creating all things then retreating to Heaven unwilling to engage in human affairs. After all, why would one so perfect, complete, and Holy want anything to do with our brokenness?

And yet, Emanuel chooses to be with us.  The God of Heaven took on flesh, embraced our weaknesses and bore the weight of our wrong doing. Jesus paid our sin debt so that we could be made right with God. As amazing as that is, He doesn’t stop with offering us pardon. One of the most mind blowing truths in scripture is that Yahweh actually invites us to be His friends. 

What joy floods the soul when we realize that the One who spoke the World into orbit and knows our every thought wants you and I to walk as friends of God.

Romans 5:10-11 “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

- Micah McElveen

Here As It Is... // Micah

Every once in a while we catch a glimpse of how things were meant to be, how they will one day be. A moving gesture, a restorative interaction, a perfect moment plays out and we think, “This is how it could be.” You see, we were made with capacity to both perceive what is wrong and long for a day when all things will be right. After all, we were made for earth yet designed for heaven.

This reality has been strongly impressed on my heart this week. My wife and I began it in Haiti with a gathering of Vapor Ministries leaders from Africa, Haiti and the US. This eclectic collection of Christ followers, all committed to restorative work in poverty rich places, gathered at our regional center in Haiti. Representatives from 15 distinct tribes and over 20 languages convened for a worship, training, and cross pollination event. It was other worldly. At one point I caught a glimpse of Heaven come down as Revelations 7:9 principally unfolded before us. Passionate Multi-Lingual worship broke out in this multi-ethnic gathering. We were all focused on the Worthy Lamb who came to make all things new and is now ushering in a new heaven and new earth. In that moment Heaven bent low as intense praise burst forth in one of the most unlikely places, a third world environment actively being made new. It was magical.

I have learned to cherish and pursue moments like these. Moments where the values of Heaven control the atmosphere and Christ’s presence is chiefly prized. Moments where we see Him high and lifted up yet coming down. As we reflect today on His first coming I pray we commit afreash to ushering in His second coming by pursuing his mission. May we join Him in making it “here as it is... in Heaven.”

Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. They were shouting with a great roar. Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

Mathew 6:10 “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

- Micah McElveen