Standing Between God and Man

So, Sunday at Exodus Community was "Kingdom of Priests" day, in which we were trying to stress the importance of every believer to be a priest to the community surrounding them. And the basic job of the priest is to be one who stands between God and man.

So, I've got this idea that I need to do that. It's funny though, because as I start to go to You with the concerns for others that I have, I realize that their are only a select few in my community that I know really well. It makes me feel bad at relationships, and I realize that something I have to come before with is to improve my people skills, my conversation skills, my noticing of others, and my emptying of myself.

What do I need to stand in for those in Exodus Community? Why are they seeking You today? What should they be seeking You for? What do You want them to know? What do You want us to do?

On Sunday I talked to the group about Moses running up and down the mountain, to talk to the people and to talk to You. You kept calling him up and then sending him down to tell the people something new. Sometimes I feel like I'm running up and down the mountain because I can't remember everything that's going on. For example, I'll pray for Gideon and Courtney, then for Joel's message, and then for the Community in general, and then "Amen." I start getting on to whatever I have to do next and then I'm like, "Oh yeah, Kim needs prayer for her class." Then I start to pray for that and end. Then I remember that we should also pray for the covenant agreement we're preparing, and for the worship, and for Courtney's job. Then my brain moves outside the Community to the rest of my community: my students, my sisters and brother, friends from college, tennis players, etc.

How do you be a priest for the people you know? I'm working on that. What's the result of being a priest for the people you know? Overwhelming tiredness seems to be the answer right now. The amazing thing is that You've already prepared an answer for that. "And My Presece will go with you, and I will give you rest." That's Exodus 33:14, a great verse. Maybe I should make that my "life verse." As we try to be standing between You and others, taking their concerns, sins, problems, even joys before You, we are emptying ourselves out and getting worn thin. You, LORD God, You must go with us and allow us to rest.

LORD, of work and of rest,
Let us stand before You in blessing,
Let us go from You to deliver blessing,
And let us return again to find rest.
In the name of the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit,
Amen.