Night to Shine

Last night was out of the ordinary. Not in a decadent or extravagant way, but an extraordinary one. Surrounded by more than 150 registered participants and 300 registered volunteers, Highlands Church in Scottsdale, AZ partnered with the Tim Tebow Foundation to host an event called "Night to Shine".

In this prom-themed event, the special needs ministry highlighted those in attendance to subject them to the mission statement that we are all created in love by love for love by the Lord (Psalm 139:13-14).

IN Love

The first step to attend the event was mandatory sensitivity training. Here, we were presented a slide show regarding basic care and safety plan. At the end of the evening, a short video played, which highlighted a few young adults with special needs reciting Psalm 139:14, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made". By the audience's response, the video was successful. The teen and young adult ministry impacted us with their message that they were indeed "wonderfully made" in love.

BY Love

Prom night. All dressed up and ready to go, I was excited to meet my buddy! I had it all planned out in my head, the conversations, how we would hit all the stations, I was excited and ready to volunteer. Then, hitting some of the worst traffic I've ever seen in Arizona, I arrived almost an hour late. Now totally flustered, I felt incompetent and weakened to the core.

When I walked into the prom, God reshaped judgments and hypocrisies I no longer recognized. Mercifully, He tore down barriers and brought me back to love. How Jesus defines this type of love is two-fold: first as "philia" and secondly as "ahava".

The Greek word "philia", is used to define brotherly love between equals and is seen in friendships. An "ahava" type of love is from two root words in Hebrew. The roots of the word are literally 'I give' and 'love'. This type of love comes from the soul and is how Christians are called by Jesus, as an action, to give and receive love.

God superseded my expectations and served me in a way only He can. He took me out of my comfort zone to melt my barriers. On stage, in front of the crowd is exactly where my buddy and I headed. My first thought? Panic. I haven't yet managed to dance in the middle of a circle of friends. It is not my thing. My available response? God's got this. And so do I. Because my buddy needs me, and going on stage is where we're headed. In that moment, my buddy showed me more about love by loving me through my fear than I thought possible. That's true philia, and how ahava can play a double meaning in being a recipient.  

FOR Love

In His gospel, Jesus tells us to let His children come to Him, and is indignant with those who try to stop it (Mark 10:14; Matthew 19:14). The atmosphere at "Night to Shine" spoke to this powerful truth. The entire event was a no-judgment zone. From the dance floor to the karaoke room, love thrived. Where humanity's love thrived in likeness for each other, God's love shone through for His children.

Night to SHINE

We are called to love one another with the type of love depicted here, unabashedly brave and dismissing all judgment. We should be ashamed when we turn others away from this type of love, no matter their outward appearance or physical type, for God exists outside our brokenness and sees what we cannot (1 Samuel 16:7).

Everyone in attendance sent a message about love, and I truly received it. I hope to take what I have learned and share the same message with others. Those in attendance shone bright. It was truly a night to remember, and moreso a Night to Shine.

The Powerful But

Recently, I led a group study through Romans chapters 5 and 6. I learned a lot as I went so I decided to write down what God was teaching me as I learned it. Ever notice God tugging on your heart somewhere in His word? Maybe it’s a Gospel story or a parable. He calls to you, whispering His truths, sharing the importance in those lines. That’s exactly what He does in Romans 5 with the powerful “but”. 

Seven times God introduces a truth following “but” in Romans 5. As the writer of the book of Romans, Paul has extensive knowledge and background in ministry. Prior to his conversion to Christianity, he was a Pharisee. With great understanding of Jewish customs and laws, he weaves this throughout his letter to the Romans.

           

 Reference verses for the “but’s” are vv. 3, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, 20. Each time after using a “but” in one of these instances, we see a benefit of faith, an attribute of Christ, or a purpose of the law to follow.

             

The first time Paul uses “but” is in verse 3. The context is in the glory of our sufferings. Here, we see “but” as a benefit of faith because Paul explains the chain of spiritual maturity. By connecting “the hope of the glory of God” (v. 2) and understanding that “hope does not put us to shame” (v. 5), we utilize our chain of spiritual maturity.

             

The next five times Paul writes about Christ using “but” to connect a thought, it connects an attribute of Christ to his dialogue. In perhaps the most powerful example, the cross becomes God’s greatest love proof and man’s greatest hate proof. Romans 5:8 illustrates the height of man’s hatred toward Jesus. As He dies on the cross, it does nothing to defeat God’s love for us all, and in doing so, brings forth the idea of reconciliation.

             

Romans 5:11 continues the theme of reconciliation, speaking of boasting in God through Jesus. This proves Jesus is a gift. In this conjunction clause, Paul continues on the idea that at if at one point God’s enemies and loved ones are reconciled to Him through His Son, how much more powerful it would be to be saved to Him through His life. At this point in the scripture, Paul is setting up the reader for the introduction of the next theme:  The Two Men.

             

Out of this section come three more “but’s”. All attribute a life/righteousness connection to Christ. The first states the importance of the law justifying sin in the world.  The second attributes grace as a gift for us, and identifies the giver as Christ, while the final “but” explains why the giver is Christ. This final attribute of Christ’s is what brings the recipients justification through faith not works. Every part of this section identifies Christ as the giver and believers as the recipients.

             

The final “but” prepares believers for the clear purpose of the law. When compared with Christ’s holy standard, we are able to identify and explain sin. All sin is equal in God’s eyes, therefore all sin is to miss the mark.  

             

There is so much importance in Romans 5. Allow it to speak to you as you read through the themes of justification, righteousness, grace, and reconciliation. God speaks and we respond. That’s the point of the Jesus’ love for us. The “but” here, whether it is a benefit of faith, an attribute of Christ, or purpose of the law speaks to that exact truth.