Had a little epiphany...thought I would share. we have been all trying to attach meaning to the word missional, and get beyond the very traditional interpretation.....(go to africa).

I had this nice little picture that came to mind, of someone breathing. In and out...in and out.

Perhaps missional living is like breathing, we must breath in (the first commandment being that we love God with all our hearts, souls and minds). Breathing in is the "loving of God" allowing him to invade every cell of our being. Then we breath out, (the second commandment is to love your neighbor as your self). We breath out the love of God to others.

I like this way of thinking about it because we cannot breathe out until we have taken a breath in. We have nothing to give others of true spiritual value until we have filled ourselves with the Giver of Life and breath.

I also like the idea that breathing in and breathing out are so closely related in time. Very shortly after we breath out we must breath in. We cannot love others for very long without breathing in the Love of God in our own lives. We are dependant on the love of God to love others. Breathe in....breathe out.

I think of the very first thing a baby does, it breathes in, then it breathes out with a cry to the delight of the mother and father. I have yet to hear a more beautiful sound.

Breathe in...breathe out....taking God's love in....giving God's love out.