“If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This quote sums up the aim of the book that Leonard Sweet and I recently wrote, Jesus Manifesto.
Our book is not designed to give recipes or a blueprint to “do” something or to “work.” Instead, it’s designed to give God’s people a sighting of their incredible Lord that will leave them awash in His vast glory, instilling in them (by the Holy Spirit) a hunger, a thirst, and a “longing for the endless immensity” of Jesus.
Or to put it in Paul’s words, a longing to explore “the unfathomable riches of Christ.”
An Analysis of “Why We Love the Church” by DeYoung & Kluck
I’m sure that your calling and mine and that of your associates is not to “build” another “ship”, which is just another structure, but it is to BE a healthy and effective part of Christ’s body in the world. And this “body” is not to be identified with any particular structures. That is a fundamental principle of your movement. Jesus didn’t have an “endless immensity” about him. He was particularly and consistently focused on doing the will of the Father, which was to “seek and to save” lost rebellious sinners. His “glory” is “vast”, but it is a precise display of God’s love in all of its width, length, height, and depth. In our ministries we must be careful to avoid presenting the love of God as just a small part of a universal philosophy of goodwill to everyone. Most people don’t want to be generally loved; they want to be personally loved. There is a big difference between the two.
Hi Bob. Glad you can join us. Wondering where you’re coming from on all of this . . .
I’m not part of any “movement” so I have no idea what you’re talking about when you say “your movement.” I can only assume you’re new here and haven’t read too many blog posts or the related materials. In short, this ministry is about one thing: CHRIST IS ALL. More specifically, His eternal purpose and all that it involves.
I really enjoyed reading the posts on your blog. I would like to invite you to come over to my blog and check it out. God bless, Lloyd
What a wonderful moment I have been given here. Thank you so very much brother Frank. Also, I would like to thank the commenters, because their comments were just as inspiring as your words Frank. Yes, I am very glad I stopped by for a read, for in doing so I have been blessed! Thank you all.
Wow, amen what a beautiful quote, it’s amazing when you gaze upon his beauty how it doesn’t feel or resemble work at all. When your eyes are set on Christ everything seems a blurr, but him.
I love the stanza you included in your post, and recognize the refrain as being from the old Helen Limmell hymn. I’m curious as to who penned the verse that precedes the chorus, since that verse isn’t found in her published song. I think the verse you posted fits perfectly with the message of Helen’s chorus, and most importantly, with the message of Christ and His bride. Oh how I long to see His church in every community on this earth present Him through their individual and shared lives in such a way that the idols of the earth are stripped away, and we are all transformed as we look on His face!
Arlene, don’t have the name off-hand, but we quote the entire song in “Jesus Manifesto” (the song is INCredible) and give credit to the author. Must run. Thanks for commenting.
So true for me Frank, I feel very alone now (having left the church organisation I’ve been part of since childhood) I don’t know what’s next and I don’t want to plan come up with a new “grand plan” either. All I want now, is to stare in His eyes and follow Him who chose me. I feel compelled by his beauty and ruined by a longing to know Him. You’ve played a good part in getting me here Frank and I can’t wait to see where He takes me.
Coincidently, a good friend has just agreed to join me in going to “Infusion” in Edinburgh UK. Not sure what to expect, but I’m tentatively psyched 🙂
This is great! I needed it right now!
Beautiful quote, Frank. As I’ve been devouring your articles and those of your contemporaries and critics, I’ve loved seeing this heart show up in your work time and again: the desire not to destroy institutional structures, but to bring the body of Christ into a longing for Him.