break the mold

I sat next to a Catholic man on a plane ride from WY to WI this last spring. In my spiritual pride, I decided to pray for an opportunity to lead him to a saving relationship with Jesus once I found out he was catholic. Little did I know that the next hour would be spent with him discipling me.


My view on the Catholic religion was very skewed growing up. I thought they worshiped the dead, were part of the mafia, and kept their bibles in trophy cases; taking them out only during exorcisms. This man was totally different. He was able to navigate his bible and scripturally explain his view points. But then he said something that completely contradicted my understanding of church history.

He looked at me and told me that Martin Luther did a horrible thing by dividing the Church, and his action has led to the thousands of denominations we now face. Did I hear him correctly? In my church, Martin Luther is hailed a saint: a captain of Truth. Maybe he is, but how can we justify the division of the churches when Jesus prayed the following in John 17: "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me"?

Contradictions from the church leave me frustrated and confused. I thought I was fleeing from that pain when I came to YWAM, because I thought everyone would think alike. Fortunately, God had a better idea.

Last week we had a speaker discuss praying the will of God into existence, and then this week we experienced a hurricane threat. There was a lot of concern and evacuation talks, despite the fact that many of the leaders said that God doesn't want people to experience homelessness. Well, if God wants us to pray His will into existence, and His will is to protect us from the hurricane, then why not pray the hurricane out of existence? Could it be that easy?

I went into prayer and asked God, "Father, is it possible to figure out your will logically, and then run around praying miracles into existence?" He answered with Isaiah 55:8, " 'my ways are not your ways, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord.' " Ok, I thought, logic will fail me. Instead I need to ask what His will is so I can pray that into existence, but why?

That's when diversity became essential for my qwest. A friend said, very matter of factly, "God's will is whatever brings him the most glory." Ahh, the missing link. I have to ask God what His will is, because I don't know the outcomes of specific situations. Only He knows what will bring him the most glory. But that only led to another question.

Why is His glory is more important than the homes and lives of people in the path of the potential hurricane. He answered me through another verse; 2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us everything for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him, who calls us by his own glory and goodness."

That's it! The more glory God has, the more He shows His love, because He uses His glory to call us into an eternal relationship with Him! That revalation brought me so much comfort and joy, and did you notice that diversity was required to bring about that joy?
Diversity is beautiful, and can be so instrumental to our growth if harnessed correctly. The charasmatic preacher can motivate and encourage us to run in faith; while the questions from the theologan can help us stand in awe. Unity in the midst of diversity brings God glory, and people are brought into an eternal relationship.