The 29 Day Challenge: Day Three

Heading in the Same Direction

As part of a series of messages on praying, Pastor Dan Yeary recently challenged us to set aside the next 29 days to pray faithfully and to intentionally seek God’s will for our lives and our church. As we continue to seek a pastor, we are praying for God’s direction & favor for our pastor search committee and that God would meet us, individually and collectively, at the place of our deepest need. I have committed to the 29 day challenge, to pray daily with my church and to seek out how I can more fully join in His work in the coming year. I plan to capture the journey and share some of my reflections along the way.

One of the larger themes in my life has been the desire to join with others in God’s work, to be headed in the same direction with those with similar passions and purpose. There have been times in my life when I was fine living on my own and going off in my own direction. But that path is a lonely one. God created us for community, He created us to need each other, to value each other, to share life together in Him.

Last week, I had a dream, a dream that I was on a long bus ride full of other people headed in the same direction. It was authentic community. We were laughing and enjoying each other’s company on this long journey. It felt like family, letting down our guards and being our authentic selves as we prepared for the work ahead of us. Each of us was getting off at our appointed places, different stops along the way. Several people would get off in one city; a couple of hours later, others would get off in another place. We were all excited about the work that was ahead. And decisions had to be made – where was I called to get off? Who was I called to join? We were all part of one family, but we all had different functions, different places and different tasks that awaited us. We were all cheering each other on, because ultimately none of us could stay on the bus. I wasn’t sure where to get off. But I knew it required a choice, and I knew it was an important choice, not to be made lightly.

What a metaphor! As I continue to pray through the direction God is leading, I am reminded that I was not created to stay on the bus. As wonderful as the bus is, there are times that God calls us to step out into the messiness of the world around us and to join Him in the work that He is doing. I need to pay attention to the signs where God is leading, so that I know which stops to take, which tasks are mine to do. It is easy to get comfortable, sit back and enjoy the ride. But God has called us to more, to be busy about the work that He has ordained for us and to step out in faith at the appointed time.

I am praying today about where God would have me contribute more fully in my church. I have been content with my class and my life group. Yet, I think at times, I have been comfortable on that bus. And maybe God is calling me to do more, to find new ways to serve at church and to contribute to the larger body. There is much going on, many opportunities to contribute. But what is the best? And what role is God calling me to play? I continue to pray.