unity is a ministry

I've recently had this revelation. The story goes a little like this (feel free to read it in chunks if its easier to soak in):

Oh and p.s. this is kelsey.


Since I've been around everyone, and seen the work God is doing in us, I have been persistently asking myself (since about September) what our ministry is. "Maybe we are supposed to help N.K. refugees. Maybe its the homeless. Maybe its orphans. It HAS to be one thing," I thought, "God wouldn't bring us all together just to give us all different ministries here." So I figured I just had to wait...

... come December I'm like "ok! this is it! we are going to have a bit of a break, then WHABAM, a ministry will come."

...January

...February, and I'm started to get psyched out to say the least.

Then is started to unfold bit by bit.


Bit #1: The Vision
It came when we were praying at our Thursday morning bible study. We had been talking about Mins moving w/ Whit and our hearts in it all.
I was in a body, it wasn't "my" body, but it represented everyone. I felt frustrated because I couldn't see myself. I was trying to look at myself and all I could see was my lower body. My perspective was impaired, and terminally limited. Then we looked up at each other. And I could see each other in entirety. And I knew I was seen in entirety. Not an inch of our bodies were hidden from each other, because we could physically see all of each other. Then I looked into that other person's eyes, and I saw a light beaming out of them. I knew this was the light of Christ. I knew I didn't have to look anywhere else. My gaze was fixed, I was fully known. As this vision unfolded, I knew this was a process we were each going through right then...

Bit#2: The Revelation
I was reading my bible when Me, Tay, and Newms went to Gangneung. I was reading the portion of John where Jesus prays for all believers. This is so powerful.

"My prayer is not for them alone (his disciples). I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."

---wait... whaaaat? 'just as you are in me and I am in you?'

lets keep on...

"May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me"

Hallelujah.

Bit #3: The Processing
I knew I had to relay this to everyone. But I felt like I still had to absorb it all. Its been on my mind for a while, and I feel like I've come to a complete thought about it all: Unity is our Ministry.
Unity does not mean the same. Unity does not mean always being together. Unity does not even mean having the 'same calling'. It means being 'one, just as the Spirit of God is in Jesus, and Jesus is in the Spirit of God'.
In the vision, we looked away from ourselves and toward each other. This humbled us. This brought a complete perspective. This allowed us to see the light of Christ. In the revelation this vision became confirmed by scripture, but a new element was added on: the ministry that comes through others witnessing this unity.

Bit #4: The Challenge
We are different. God has given us each different purposes, skills, qualities, and gifts of the spirit. After Christ's resurrection, the disciples were never all together at the same time for extended periods. They knew that they had work to do and if they only shinned their light to each other they wouldn't be effective. They would come together, often, in the Unity of Christ, refocus, recharge, then fast/pray and be sent out again. This is God's calling for us. This is the prayer of Christ for us. I am so grateful that God has brought us all together, and blessed us with this ability.

From Christ's lips to your ears, our ministry is unity.

Lord, I pray that we will be able to "drink the cup the Father has given" us. I pray that we will endure the sacrifice that comes with this. May we be unity. May peace be within us, that we may have confidence in this ministry. A confidence that allows us to take more risks. A confidence that allows us to bring others into your presence. A confidence that allows us to take on the humble work of Christ. A confidence brings the miraculous works of Christ. A confidence that only comes through being united with each other and with you, that you may be further glorified. May we bask in your glory, that you have given us. May we see the fruits of our labor. May we be filled with boldness to venture into the callings you unfold for each of us. May we be content and confident in the unity we have with you and each other. We are so confident that you hear this. I lift this all up to you. May you guard us from anything that could try to be destructive to this ministry.
In the name of Christ I give this fully to you.