This week is our 5th week in 40 Days of Community at Jones Road. What has God been doing? How are we responding? I have been asking myself those two questions.
What has God been doing?
God is always at work! We don’t always see Him at work because we are not looking for Him. My prayer has been in these 40 Days of Community that the Lord would open our eyes to see Him moving and working. In some ways I believe He has answered that prayer. I have seen Him add to our church family, I have watched members reach out to one another in new and loving ways, and I have experienced spiritual warfare (which means Satan does like what God is doing!). Many have shared how God has been refreshing their faith and bringing joy back into their daily walk. I watched individuals volunteer to serve in new places of ministry and begin to do it with enthusiasm. I have seen our children’s ministry and youth ministry increase in attendance. I have felt a drawing together within the body of Christ that has been long overdue.
I have also experienced the negative. Satan will never leave God’s people alone. If God is working and we are obeying then you can guarantee that Satan is trying to tear it down. I am at first discouraged when I see the spiritual attacks, but as I reflect I must be encouraged simply because I know that God is up to good things and the devil doesn’t like it! These 40 Days have brought attacks, but those attacks seem to have strengthened not weakened.
How are we responding?
I could list many responses to our 40 Days of Community. There have certainly been many visible responses. It may be too soon to be able to really answer this question. During the excitement it is easy to see the response, it is always in the days that follow that we really find out the truth and the impact of a spiritual journey. Perhaps the best way to answer the question in the “now” is to offer several personal observations of what God has revealed to me.
1. We need one other. When He told us to “love one another” He meant it. We are the body of Christ, the family of God and brothers and sisters by faith. We should act like it at all times.
2. We should think the best of each other. Far too often we assume the worst about someone and then allow that thought to separate us.
3. There is no place for suspicion. When we chose not to trust one another we are always going to remain divided.
4. Nothing is impossible. Even though we say it often, we rarely live like we believe. It is time to change this!
5. Less said is always more. We are in the business of building not destroying. When we talk too much we usually find we are prone to destruction. Speak less and listen more.
As we prepare to enter our last week in 40 Days of Community I am encouraged by many who have chosen to be faithful in these days. They have prayed and listened and responded. God is working, don’t miss it!
