Glancing Back; Looking Forward
Another Day Along the Way
Friday, April 20, 2007
Another day,
So much changes in a year. So much can change in a moment.
A year ago, I had recently announced to our congregation about accepting the position as Campus Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life at Emmanuel College. Their feelings, my feelings, our feelings: I remember the responses, the questions, the discussions. A year has now rushed by. Though God fills us with surprises, this change has gone well.
I told a friend about time with college students, events where Christ is honored, writing for Faith Cafe, and seeking to mentor future world-changers. The college students are exciting, honest, hoping to see change, and - like all of us - imperfect humans in a fallen world. The privilege of having time with them warms my heart. The honor of being a friend to those who will guide Christ's body into the future thrills me.
So much changes in a year. So much can change in a moment.
By making a decision, change came. That is how our lives are. We make decisions. Correct ones. Incorrect ones. We fail if we base decisions on inaccurate assumptions, previous mistakes, the control of others, self-doubt, or by failing to seek God's will and the counsel of those who know us best. We succeed if we search for God's plan with pure motives, and walk into the land of obedience as He guides our steps.
How are you doing with that? How are you and God doing with communicating? What decisions are you facing that will shape the future in better, or worse, directions? What are you going to do?
Next April, how will your life compare to today? Think about it. Pray about it. And do something about it. Do not leave yourself, or this world, alone.
So much can change in this moment that will change so much in years to come.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Prayer Spoken: "Abba, thank you for showing me that I don't have to be a slave to my passions and least of all my drive for instant gratification. Please forgive my idolatry, and help me to cast this idol far away from me, even as you continue to show me how the 'microwave mentality' shows up in other areas of my life."
(American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream, Bob Hostetler)
Friday, April 20, 2007
Another day,
So much changes in a year. So much can change in a moment.
A year ago, I had recently announced to our congregation about accepting the position as Campus Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life at Emmanuel College. Their feelings, my feelings, our feelings: I remember the responses, the questions, the discussions. A year has now rushed by. Though God fills us with surprises, this change has gone well.
I told a friend about time with college students, events where Christ is honored, writing for Faith Cafe, and seeking to mentor future world-changers. The college students are exciting, honest, hoping to see change, and - like all of us - imperfect humans in a fallen world. The privilege of having time with them warms my heart. The honor of being a friend to those who will guide Christ's body into the future thrills me.
So much changes in a year. So much can change in a moment.
By making a decision, change came. That is how our lives are. We make decisions. Correct ones. Incorrect ones. We fail if we base decisions on inaccurate assumptions, previous mistakes, the control of others, self-doubt, or by failing to seek God's will and the counsel of those who know us best. We succeed if we search for God's plan with pure motives, and walk into the land of obedience as He guides our steps.
How are you doing with that? How are you and God doing with communicating? What decisions are you facing that will shape the future in better, or worse, directions? What are you going to do?
Next April, how will your life compare to today? Think about it. Pray about it. And do something about it. Do not leave yourself, or this world, alone.
So much can change in this moment that will change so much in years to come.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Prayer Spoken: "Abba, thank you for showing me that I don't have to be a slave to my passions and least of all my drive for instant gratification. Please forgive my idolatry, and help me to cast this idol far away from me, even as you continue to show me how the 'microwave mentality' shows up in other areas of my life."
(American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream, Bob Hostetler)
11 Comments:
I pray that in the next year I'll spend more tiem with God, and I'll have a lot of joy in my life.
Thank you Chris for some very timely coments and a very fitting prayer.
John House
We give too much of our time for earthly pleasure. I need to pursue a lot better toward God's will.
I never knew you wanted a horse.
Unfortunately some of us choose to stay in "cities" we were never supposed to live in. Others move too quiokly and too often and never receive the blessing God had for them. I pray that I move out of my present city and into the onewhere God wants me to be.
I agree with all of this. I will be in prayer as well for my future of being obedient to God and I will be in prayer for Emmanuel College's future and everyone's obedience to God.
May our God guide us toward his will.
Once again, you have said the right thing at the right time in my life. Thank you for your thoughts and concerns for God's children Chris,you are a fine servant of God.You lead by example.
I think most of us need to get better at really being in love with God. We are not loving him like we should.
We have too many idols, thats for sure.
I need God each and every moment of my life. Pray for me.
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