Joy in the Journey: The Right Community

Hot on the heels of last week's blog on confession, I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about the circumstances surrounding King David's situation. Prior to his written confession in Psalm 32, followed by Psalm 51, David was in a place of STUCK. He was miserable in his sin. "Waxing old," those were his words. His heart was broken, but his mental and physical state were so covered in shame that he hid behind a little something called denial. He'd almost convinced himself that if he was silent about his sin, maybe it would all go away, or maybe God wouldn't see, know, or care... David's sinful state had him confused and misguided, even though deep down inside he knew the truth. For a lengthy season, he decided he'd rather be silent than admit to his deceit. Oh, how the mighty had fallen!

How great is the Lord's love for David! How great is His love for me! So great, that God won't let us stay in the places of STUCK...or denial. Though we fall, He, by nature, is a Savior, who wants to pick us up. Oh, how the MIGHTY stoops low in order to rescue us. God knew well in advance just what David would need. So, the Lord had strategically placed in David's circle a wise prophet by the name of Nathan; and, when the time was right, God sent this man to confront the King. Confront, he did, and the wrong became whole, the fallen restored, and the sin washed clean. (2 Samuel 12)

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Psalm 32:1-2

All of us find ourselves in places of STUCK, miserable in our sin, hiding in shame, and mentally misguided. All of us come to a place where we'd rather be silent than admit to our transgressions, holding our iniquity inside, "waxing old" in body and soul. That's why we need community. That's why we need Nathan's in our circle. Nathan's who are for us. Nathan's who know us so well that they can speak truth to us in such a way that clarity comes and brings repentance, not judgment. Nathan knew exactly how to speak to his King is such a way that David's broken heart would spring forth true repentance: I am that man! Those were the most freeing words King David had ever spoken from his throne.

I've listed a few qualities of a Nathan, because we all need them in our lives. Our Nathan's should be people who will:

-Spend time in God's presence, so they aren't just bringing their opinion, but God's Word to our Hearts. Our Nathan's are spiritually in tune with the Lord, teachable. We can't "teach," if we're not teachable.

- Walk in obedience to the Lord, surrendered, no matter what the cost. Confronting a king, could not have been a welcome or easy task. Confronting ANYONE is not a welcome or easy task - most all of us run from that job.

-Walk in the confidence of their own identity and calling, which makes them COURAGEOUS.

-Walk in a spirit of love, kindness and gentleness. 

-Know how to diffuse self-defense, self-righteousness, and self-promoting in such a way that truth hits its intended mark. Nathan's know their audience.

-Don't beat around the bush. Nathan's are straightforward with facts, lacking judgment, but SAFE (meaning, there is no question about whose side they are on, "for not against"). They correct in private, praise in public.

-Speak out of wisdom. Note: Nathan used the art of story telling, playing on his past history, in order to help David relate.

There are times when all of us get into a position where we lie to ourselves, validate, and attempt to justify our sin. That's why we need Nathan's. Where do we find them? This is where the church is supposed to come in, helping to raise up leaders who will be all of the above. Yet, in an age of the mega church, it's easy to just be anonymous and to keep hiding. It's become too easy to allow ourselves permission to slip in and out, without being known. Sometimes I think it's time to rethink size, and get back to the true art of community...

Just something to think about.

XXXX

There's another person we need to find in our community, as well. So come back next week...you might be a bit surprised by this one.