I do a lot of driving in my job encouraging churches so when the sat nav was invented, it quickly became my best friend on journeys to unknown parts of London. It tells me the quickest route to my destination, not necessarily the least miles, but the shortest time. Using it, I made it safely to a church in Enfield last Sunday (despite my usual junction being closed!) for my first preach in person since October! From time to time though, I miss a turning by accident and continue straight on. The sat nav then gives me one of 2 messages: do a U-turn or ‘re-routing’. If I follow either of these, I will get to my destination!
I love the way God works in the ordinary to teach us spiritual truths.
If the turn I have taken isn’t drastically wrong, God will work in such a way that despite my chosen detour, I still end up at His chosen destination for me. Experience says that if I do this, I have things to learn on the way! If I stray from God’s route for me by heading in a totally wrong direction, I hear the Spirit telling me to do a U-turn or ‘repent’.
Isaiah says that God keeps His eye on us to keep us on track in chapter 30 v21 And if you leave God’s paths and go astray, you will hear a Voice behind you say, “No, this is the way; walk here.”
If we walk in God’s way, there is great blessing for us. Moses outlines the 10 commandments in Deuteronomy 4 then says in chapter 7 v12-14 If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors. He will love you and bless you.
We need to keep on walking in the Spirit daily, listening to His instructions.
- As leaders, do we need re-routing?
- Do our churches need re-routing?
- Are we just going back to the future we thought we had, or are we open to God’s new plan for us?
- Do we need re-routing from the path we used to be on, to care more deeply for our community in their grief and new circumstances?
Take time with God to review before moving on…
A Toolbox for Small Churches (40 people or less) 