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How Far We’ve Come
I recently visited a church that did something very cool and very helpful in my walk with God.
They wrapped music and interviews around the central message "How Far We've Come." At first I thought this was going to be some kind of cheesy, "hey look at us" pep talk to help them feel better about why only a couple hundred people have been showing up and to rally more volunteers and more money. I anticipated a boring half hour (or more) of unplanned, random testimonies presented by people who have no business in public speaking, carrying on with very little point for the listeners.
Thankfully, I was wrong. (And yes, I repented of my overly critical spirit).
Instead, they used stories and questions and music to inspire us to consider our own journey with God. They didn't seem to want anything FROM us, as much as they wanted more of God's life FOR us. They invited us to consider "how far we've come" but even more to ask God to invade and renew us to continue moving forward.
Here are some things I'm reflecting on as a result,
and some related Scriptures for your personal meditation:
They wrapped music and interviews around the central message "How Far We've Come." At first I thought this was going to be some kind of cheesy, "hey look at us" pep talk to help them feel better about why only a couple hundred people have been showing up and to rally more volunteers and more money. I anticipated a boring half hour (or more) of unplanned, random testimonies presented by people who have no business in public speaking, carrying on with very little point for the listeners.
Thankfully, I was wrong. (And yes, I repented of my overly critical spirit).
Instead, they used stories and questions and music to inspire us to consider our own journey with God. They didn't seem to want anything FROM us, as much as they wanted more of God's life FOR us. They invited us to consider "how far we've come" but even more to ask God to invade and renew us to continue moving forward.
Here are some things I'm reflecting on as a result,
and some related Scriptures for your personal meditation:
1. Christianity is more like a journey than it is a bunch of information. Christianity is more about walking with God than it is about getting to a destination. So many times I want to 'get there' (wherever 'there' is) and I miss out on the adventure of simply walking intimately with God. (see: Jeremiah 31.1-10).
2. God has been more at work in my life than I give him credit for. When I stop to consider what my life was like 15 years ago, how far I've come, I become more grateful in my heart. As Thanksgiving approaches, I think I'll spend some time naming some of the specific ways I've seen God work in my life. This should bring encouragement to me and praise to God. As I remember God, I find that he remembered me first. (see Psalm 63).
3. God is not done (which is good, because I am a recovering perfectionist). God desires to continue healing, training, teaching, and developing me. In fact, for Christ-followers, the best days are always in front of us. (see: 2 Corinthians 3.17-18).
4. I don't have to know the 'big picture' - but to be faithful to do what he's put in my life today. So often I want to know where all this headed, where I'll be in 5, 10, 15 years. This message reminds me that my future is in God's hands, and that God is speaking simply about my next steps. God's word is a light on my path, not a spotlight for the whole journey. (see: Psalm 119.105; Ecclesiastes 8.1-7).
5. Even though I don't always feel the close, personal presence of God, I know he will never let me go. He is with me, working powerfully and mystically. He is a loving, tender father, who is engaged with me and longs to walk with me every step of the way. The band closed with the Matt Redman song "You Never Let Go." You can listen to this and purchase an $0.89 mp3 by clicking here.
You Never Let Go
By Matt Redman
By Matt Redman
Some questions to consider:
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How far have you come?
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What has God been doing in your life?
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How would you love for him to work in the days and weeks ahead?
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What are your next steps?
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Thankfully, we have hope that, in Christ, we will become all that God intended. In Christ, our brokenness becomes beautiful.
This conversation was originally included in the November 7, 2007 WalkDeep Newsletter.
