Run For Cover – Part Two

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

Recently I’ve touched on some concerns regarding the practice of covering that is used authoritatively especially in hierarchical models of church.  Read it for yourself to catch up.

Regarding the concerns, the other point that Viola makes linked to it is that the reality is we don’t need intermediaries between man and God any longer.  No need for prophets and priests to be the only source that tells us the mind of God seeing as though we are all priests.  Now the ministry of Jesus Christ opens the door for us to have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.  No one has greater access because of position or office.  No man-made structures (which defines your denominations, executive boards, ministerial councils, etc.) are meant to be set as the standard to which a believer must subscribe over and above that direct Spirit inspired access and dynamic living relationship that every believer has by faith.

The conclusion of the matter is when it comes to covering, the only covering the believer needs is the one offered by the Psalmist.  We are safe in the arms of Jesus.  We are covered by Him and Him alone.  There is no man or man-made initiative that compares, or needs compare to Him.  When we suggest otherwise we devalue that vital relationship the individual and corporate body is to develop with Him and Him alone.

That might burst some people’s bubble who are quite content to pass on the responsibility to someone ‘higher’ and more ‘spiritual’.  It might also scare some who are also of the thinking that there are layers and layers before you reach the throne of grace.  I can also imagine one or two of those senior ministers who see their place as dictating the movement of the people of God and their theological development might also find it somewhat unnerving and undermining to discover there is no Christocentric foundation for their practice.

What it should be, though, is liberating for everyone.  Let’s face it, who would you really have covering you?  Where do you run for cover when the storms of life are raging?  Where do you find really provides guidance, protection and safety in times of confusion?  Why should that be different depending on the circumstance?  Isn’t Jesus capable?

Now I could have left it there and that would have neatly summed up what I got from last week that was scheduled to be blogged on Sunday.

It followed, though, that I was reading the follow-up to Reimagining Church – From Eternity To Here and having been enraptured with Viola’s narrative on Jesus’ love for the Church as Bride and future Wife, I made a start with the Father’s search for a home.

When I looked at some of Viola’s definition for a home and considered life in the presence of God and particularly that verse of finding myself under His wings it assured me that finding home in God by cultivating that relationship with Him is the most important place to be.

Appreciating His presence, where I can be real and feel at home and share life with Him for His insight almost as if the Fatherly role that gives me the source of my being is sufficient for all my needs.  It is not an impersonal security system warding off enemies – He is a relational being who shows me home life is love life where the Father’s love is all I need to  … cover me.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd