Why We Go Deeper

"...I pray that the Koinonia of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."
[Philemon 1:6]

All of this reflection upon koinonia reminded me of the Casting Crowns song from a few years ago. "Stained Glass Masquerade" was so effective in pointing out the need to go deeper with one another. The need to stop playing the game. The need for authenticity. The need for the walls to come down.

"Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade"

Paul's prayer for the koinonia (the sharing, the joint participation, & the communion) of our faith is such a revelation. It's within the koinonia that every good thing that is in us is allowed to manifest. There is nothing missing. There is nothing hidden. The greater our koinonia, the greater the manifestation.

As this week draws to a close, which means you are getting closer & closer to sharing in the fellowship of the church, I want to encourage you to show up. Refuse to play the religion game. Refuse to shrink back. Refuse to go through the motions. Be seen. There is so much in you because of Christ & it needs to come out. This is the point of our fellowship in the faith. We were meant to draw out of one another the nature of Christ within.

I realize that this type of vulnerability may be new for you. I know the struggle of putting yourself out there. However, I also recognize the beauty of hearts that are truly open to one another. I've seen the manifestation of Christ through my brothers & sisters. Could it be that the reason why much of the world has rejected the notion of church is because they have failed to see this in us?

This is why we go deeper. It's for ourselves & for others. It's about seeing Christ in one another. It's about embracing the brokenness & allowing others to fill the gaps. It's the Body of Christ, fully functioning, fully present with each member, and revealing the glory of God. You are a part of this manifestation. Not as a bystander. But as an integral part of the equation. This is part of your becoming. And we are simply joining others on the journey. We are "closing the curtain on our stained glass masquerade."

I join the Apostle Paul in praying that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.