Keep it true to life!
Appearance and reality are two different things! Recently Steve Murrell the "reluctant leader" who leads Every Nation(a movement of churches) was preaching in Australia. He commented on the fact that the folk in the church kept encouraging him by saying "you are legend!" This got me thinking about that term of affirmation.
Legend defined by Wikipedia : A legend (Latin, legenda, "things to be read") is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude (authenticity). Legend, for its active and passive participants, includes no happenings that are outside the realm of "possibility", defined by a highly flexible set of parameters, which may include miracles that are perceived as actually having happened, within the specific tradition of indoctrination where the legend arises, and within which it may be transformed over time, in order to keep it fresh and vital, and realistic.
Verisimilitude in literature and theatre denotes the extent to which a work of fiction exhibits realism or authenticity, or otherwise conforms to our sense of reality. A work with a high degree of verisimilitude means that the work is very realistic and believable; works of this nature are often said to be "true to life".
Too many people today are quick to preach, but are not ready to live the message they preach. Well, I agree with the Autralians that Steve and others in our movement are legends, because they are authentic. These are men and women, who live the stories they tell, they live humbly, they are possibilitarians, they are not limited by parameters, they embrace inconvenience, they keep it fresh, vital and realistic. Legends, true to life!
Maybe you saw the recent movie I am legend! Much of the story is devoted to Neville's attempt to understand, and possibly cure the disease that wiped out humanity. Sin is the disease that is wiping out humanity. The legends I work with do not live in a land called "fiction". They exist and live for understanding the times, serving the nations, making disciples of Jesus, building up humanity and advancing God's Kingdom! The actions of these human narratives keep me inspired to carry on, to finish the work God has prepared for me. I thank God that I co-labor with legends! I love being with people who keep it true to life!
Ephesians 2:10
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Thanks Frank thats really fantastic insight. After hearing God's call and obeying, its absolutely fantastic to be part of a developing legend and see lives been transformed daily and miraculously. Francois
Posted by: Francois Vogelzang | May 14, 2008 at 08:33 PM
It was awesome to hear Steve preach at the conference. I was also very encouraged by your conference message last night. At this point in my BB walk it is just what I need to hear.... be strong and courageous and keep pressing on to the promised land. (Just like my vision hey!)
Posted by: Mel | May 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM