Going Further Out Requires Letting Christ Further In

Henri Nouwen, a Catholic theologian, once wrote 'the further out the journey takes you,  the deeper the inner journey needs to be'.

Wise words, and necessary ones for us to hear. God calls us out to share the gospel, and go we out we must. Yet it will be tough out there. Quick fixes won't cut it, short-circuit solutions will prove fickle and hollow.

The resources we need to function, to cope, to even survive as this journey takes us further and further are to found in our own relationship with Christ. As we move out, we must let Christ move in us - to ever deeper levels, just as a taller building needs deeper foundations. I'm convinced the two journeys go hand in hand: the venturing out in faith opens up the possibility for Christ to work further within us. Our spirituality, the practices and rhythms that we adopt, are crucial to allow this 'double journey' to run its course.

Paul linked the two as well. In Ephesians chapter 3 Paul talks of God's incredible outward plans to the Gentiles. Paul was spear-heading that initiative, but wanted the Ephesian Christians (and all others I'm sure) to be in on it. 'For this reason' (v15) he prays for them a 'deeper knowing' of Christ's love.

You see going further out requires letting Christ further in.