Series Discussion - Epic, Wk.10

In the sermon Sunday August 9, we talked a little about "Rack, Shack, and Benny" (a.k.a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), and their part in God's epic story. Today, Pastors Josh, Mara, and Paul discuss ways the time we're living in now mirrors some of this time period when the Israelites were in exile. What does it look like to live faithfully in exile? How can we intentionally seek the welfare of the community we're living in? Is there a balance between blending in and standing out? Because the truth is, exile isn't bad--it's good. It's refining. Living in times of wilderness and/or exile forces us to determine who we're going to depend on. Who is Lord of your life? What do you choose to orient your life around? Who/what is competing for your affection or devotion?  Standing firm means there's a certain level of vulnerability that, to live like Rack, Shack, and Benny, we need to allow our neighbors to see. And sometimes that can mean withdrawing from the games our culture likes to play.