Secrets to Uncommon Communion

There’s something I’ve noticed about myself.

I’m a fast reactor but a slow processor.

I get an A plus in knee jerk reactions.

You’re sick, I’ll fix ya. You’re annoyed, I’ll tell ya. You’re hurting, here’s a kleenex.

But talk to me days or even weeks after the fact, and you’ll find me hovered in a corner pondering the merits of a conversation or the rightness of my reactions.

It should have come as no surprise to me that hours after listening to a message on Uncommon Communion I should find myself agonizing over the gap between what is and what ought to be.

There is in the depth of my soul a longing for Uncommon Communion with Jesus. I want more than a few minutes with him in the morning. I want more than a box checked off on my daily to do list. I want more than fulfilling an obligation with the hopes of guaranteeing that I get the things that I need from him.

I want him all.

So it should also have come as no surprise to me that I should find myself in Hebrews 11 this morning.

Talk about Uncommon Communion.

There’s Abel and Enoch, and Noah and Abraham. There’s Jacob, and Joseph, and Moses and others. There’s Joshua and Rahab and Gideon and Daniel.

They came from different backgrounds. They lived in different times. Some were rich, others poor, but all shared one thing in common: they had Uncommon Communion with the Lord.

As I’ve meditated on Hebrews 11, I’ve observed these 4 key secrets to Uncommon Communion with Jesus Christ.

1. They made Uncommon Choices. Every one of the men and women listed in Hebrews 11 made an uncommon and mind blowing choice. Abel chose the blood. Noah built an ark. Abraham became a nomad. Moses left the palace. Rahab hung a scarlet cord outside her window. Daniel opened his window and prayed. His three friends stood when everyone else bowed down. The choices differed but the goal was the same: God first of all, God above all. Are your choices bringing you uncommon communion with Jesus?

2. They had Uncommon Community. We live in days where it’s important to see and be seen. How many twitter followers do you have, and who do you know? Christians are just as bad as non christians. Community has been elevated as a sign of Christian success. Yet in Hebrews 11, I see men and women who gave up earthly relationships for a heavenly one.  They walked alone. Some thought them odd. But each had his heart set on the uncommon community of one far greater than any earthly relationship. Are you so busy with people that you’ve left no room for Him?

3. They held an Uncommon Citizenship. They were strangers and exiles on the earth, they were seeking a homeland, a better place, a heavenly county. It says in vs.16 that because of that “God was not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city”. Are you building your kingdom here on this earth, or are you saving yourself for another? If you want uncommon communion, start by setting your sights on the future. Look at the horizon and remind yourself that you’re just an alien in this land. There’s much more to come.

4. They took Uncommon Credit. You’d think that after the sacrifice of a life of ease and the company of friends these men and women would be given great rewards. Think again. In vs.39-40 it says that “all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised since God had provided something better for us”. Wait…what?! No earthly reward for all their faith? Nope. Not in God’s currency. Not here on this earth. But someday…someday you’ll be given your due, but you’ll turn around and place it right back at the feet of Jesus. Now that’s uncommon credit.

I want what the men and women in Hebrews 11 had. I want a faith so anchored in one so faithful that nothing will shake it. I want a love for the Lord so strong and so deep that no storm will move it.

I want him all.

And I’ll do anything for uncommon communion with the Lord.

How badly do you long for uncommon communion with Him?

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