Unity; evangelism

Last night John and I attended Luis Palau's Portlandfest. We were amazed at the number of people, the organization of the festival, and the opportunity for the entire Christian community to come together for a common cause. The corporate vision and support of bring others to Christ was overwhelming. The greatest impact on me happened as Mercy Me sang "I Can Only Imagine", focusing on what it will be like when we come face to face with the Savior in heaven. As I looked over the crowd, there were extreme differences in age, culture, ethnicity, and dress, but all were singing the same words with the same focus. I couldn't help "imagining" that this was much what heaven will be like--different outwardly, but unified in our praise and joy at being in the Lord's presence.

Dependency difference

As I was preparing for Seminary Orientation today, I was pondering what is the difference between a Christian institution and a secular institution, a church and a club, a Christian counselor and secular counselor, and even a believer and a non-believer in the day to day. I know that there are polar differences in mission, doctrine, belief system, but what are the differences in daily practise with daily decisions? What does the internal dialog look like personally and corporately? The Lord impressed on me that the difference is in terms of dependency. Is my every decision bathed in dialog and trust in Him? Am I looking for His direction even in things I've done before or seems obvious in daily task? Is my prayer life, publicly or privately, really a formality, or motivated by a true heart-felt need? Lord, help us all, students, faculty, institution, and especially me personally, to understand the need of You for direction and strength. May I truly "inquire" of You and trust You for wisdom.