S.A.G.E (Seeking After God Entirely) is the name of a ministry group at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch for teenage girls; the group combines worship and bible teaching with horse activities and as the name states it is teaching the girls to seek after God with their whole heart - what a wonderful ministry!
The week I was there visiting they started the group off with a group activity; they had four large sacks of horse grain weighing 50lb each, the group of about 20 girls were given the task of carrying the bags three times around the arena (approx size 20m x 40m) - the idea behind it was to use it as an analogy of our walk with God, each lap signified a stage in relationship with Him; didn't even attempt the task - haven't started their walk with Christ; If they started but gave up part way - following God but not fully committed; Went the whole way in completing it - Giving Him their all, following whole heartedly. The question was posed to the girls after the activity "where are you at in your walk with God?" and each stage of the analogy explained.
I think this is something we all need to ask ourselves on a regular basis, are we seeking after God entirely?
We had a guest teacher at college today and he spoke about his ministry experience and tips and pointers for longevity in ministry. One of the points he made was the three dimensions of who we are from Romans 1:1 - Paul introduces himself as - Paul, a bond servant and apostle.
- Paul - who he is, his person-hood,
- Bond-servant - servant-hood,
- Apostle - his calling.
He stated that it is important we don't get so wrapped up in our assignment that we lose who we are, our person-hood. The word teaches us to be thou not do thou. This made me think of this activity at the S.A.G.E group again, if these girls had got caught up in the task they may not have done it, they were not told the purpose of the task before they did it they were just told what to do and because they had relationship with the leaders and they trusted and respected them they did what they were asked to do.
Seeking after God entirely isn't our works; it wasn't the act that was important for the girls but the lesson that was taught from it - the work was simply a picture. Sometimes our works are profitable for ourselves or the extension of the kingdom, but sometimes they just give us a picture of God. It is not our works that are important, rather a relationship with Him. Out of our relationship with Him we will flow in that which He has called us to; but without that relationship we are nothing! If the girls at S.A.G.E were not there and listening to the leaders they wouldn't have known the task; even if they had been there the week before, they couldn't turn up the next week without talking to the leaders and know what to do. The same goes for us in our walk with the Lord, we need to take time to be with Him and listen so He can send us out, not skip the first two stages and try to do. Mark 3:15 says that He ordained the 12 disciples to be with Him that he might send them forth to preach. He will send us where He wants us to go, equip us to do what He wants us to do, and give us the strength to run the race.
Heb 12:1-2 "...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
Success in any area of life comes out of a relationship with Him, I believe the key to Seeking After God Entirely is walking and talking with Him constantly, in an intimate relationship.
Good thoughts Katie; have you ever wondered at the contradiction of "bond-servant" - one who is not free to leave his master, and "apostle" - one who is sent?
Posted by: Matthew | May 10, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Hola! Good job to you and everyone else! Glad to see that ya'll have a website!
Posted by: Joshua | May 10, 2007 at 06:09 PM
Thanks Matthew, can't say I have ever really wandered about that - but great point, that is something I will be interested to study out.
Posted by: Katie Peak | May 10, 2007 at 10:25 PM