One of the greatest misconceptions of my generation is that we can have a move of God without having to do the work of God.
In the Old Testament there was a detailed, specific, and methodical process that had to be followed stringently when transporting the Ark of the Covenant which symbolized the very Presence of God.
At one point David was to move the Ark. Despite his knowledge of the protocol, he decides to transport it on what the Bible calls a 'new cart.' This cart was technologically advanced making the once cumbersome task more convenient, less challenging, and hands-free.
Prior to the new cart, we find earlier in scripture that the Ark was to be moved by specific men a specific way. Among other details, it was to be carried by two men on each side providing...balance. It was also to be carried on the shoulders of these men.
It was heavy.
It was uncomfortable.
It was work.
It was hard.
The method was out of date = not cool.
In fact, when the Philistines took the Ark captive they developed a more clever way of transporting it. Some propose that this is where David's idea for the new cart came from in the first place.
It is interesting to note that although for many years prior to Israel reclaiming the Ark, the Philistines had in their possession the presence of God yet they refused and denied the power of God.
I can't help but see a parallel.
In our culture it seems as though we not only tolerate but collectively have an affinity for the presence of God. Everything is 'spiritual.' In fact, everyone is 'spiritual.' As a nation we print 'In God We Trust' on our money, sing 'God Bless America' on the Capital steps, and our pseudo-Christian leaders even close national addresses with, 'God Bless You.' But when it comes to a demonstration of the power of God we/they get uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I'd say this is even true in our churches. It's as if we are cool with God being there as long as he doesn't do anything too crazy, challenge our paradigms too much, or remotely convict us to change.
As for me and perhaps some of you reading this, I not only want God in attendance, I want God active. I don't just want him around me, I want him in me, operating through me. But these opportunities are carried on the shoulders of sacrifice, discomfort, and inconvenience. We can't afford to make the same mistake David made in pawning off this massive responsibility by thinking we can take a short-cut.
It's a burden we have been chosen to bare and we must choose to bare it.
The tragedy in this Old Testament story is that in the process of the movement of the Ark, it began to fall and the young man driving the cart stretched out his hand to grab it, hoping to stop it from hitting the ground.
Instantly...
He died.
This young man was in line for the priesthood, he had a destiny, undoubtably, he had a calling. But because David didn't teach him (by example) the importance of carrying the Ark on his shoulders, the way God intended, when it began to fall the young man tried to take matters into his own hands.
And in this we uncover the truth that:
The presence of God cannot be carried into the world in sinful hands, but rather, solely on the shoulders of sacrifice.
In our hands it becomes merely a possession or perhaps a commodity, while on our shoulders it becomes a burden. And with every step its weight reminds us of the responsibility and the opportunity we have to carry Christ into the world.
Our mission as the church mirrors the very mission of David in that day. We must bring God back to a place of national consciousness. To a place where He is not just present but experienced. This isn't going to be convenient, it's going to be challenging. It will not be absent of sacrifice or discomfort. And if you or I intended on being a part of God's Kingdom being ushered into the earth in the 21st Century, we better be willing to shoulder the burden that comes with it.
One of the greatest misconceptions of my generation is that we can have a move of God without having to do the work of God.
For God's Renown!
+Tauren Wells
Anthem Student Ministries Assistant and Songwriter
