What Nowing!

What Now?Throughout recent talks in church God has been pointing to the character of Jesus the shepherd.I started the "what now?" sermon series with "Jesus the shepherd" who restores us in relation to Him and commissions for service. He names the elephant in the room that comes between us and leaves no option but to get things right. The question? where are the unaddressed elephants in my life? What am I doing about them? This is a real challenge to my character.Nick spoke about "the shepherd who is also Messiah". The amazing thing about the Messiah Shepherd is that he is also one of the sheep, just like us. There is no room for pride or superiority or arrogance. The question? what do I know of intimacy with Jesus? How am I allowing him to develop my character?Brad Galvin spoke about the "shepherd as King" - Rolls Royce Phantom(king) meets Kia people mover (shepherd). The question? as someone who has been blessed by God, how am I a blessing to others? The Chistian virtue of serving because I am aware of how Christ has served me.Last week Trevor spoke. His "what now?" started with God's having always had a grand plan which includes you. We are predestined, forgiven, central, integral, called disciples. The question? am I lost in rules, structures, deathly minor issues? Am I so one eyed I function practically as an atheist deaf to Jesus voice and just concerned for myself?A lady told me a lovely story last week. She explained how in the midst of a horror week she lost a treasured possession that threatened to "take her out" emotionally and spiritually. Instead, her what now?was to take it to God and relinquish it - and she actually managed to.When she returned to work the next week, she was clearing her desk and the item fell out of a crumpled piece of paper. In this conspiracy of circumstances she sensed God's warm "well done". It was all about the relinquishing. The decision to make the what now? a God moment and to leave the outcome to Him. And, she said, she'd never experienced intimacy with God like that before.I wonder how is God "what nowing" you?In His AdventureMalcolm