God’s Direction in the Life of Summit, Part 3 of 3

John 5:19, “Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things.’”
 
Four words for my (and our churches) focus this year… and beyond I pray:

“Nothing on my own.”
 
That’s an important statement for us as a church. It means that I/we would aim to do nothing on our own account – in our own power and strength or our own wisdom (how foolish would that be?) but rather to do what God desires for us.
 
Jesus’ statement in John 5 is similar to what He says in John 15 about abiding in Him as well. I have heard this for a long time. I have desired it, but I often fall far short of it. It’s been a distant dream, far too often words without actions.
 
Here is where I have felt challenged though: What if it is not just a dream but something we strive after?
 
As I have been reading through the gospels (and the rest of the NT) He says numerous times to pray and ask Him and He will give us what we ask for (Matthew 7:7; 21:22; Luke 11:9; James 1:5). This is certainly in line with His will. He wants us to go where He leads and follow Him with all of our hearts and minds.
 
So this year He has set my heart to go after His will far more in my life, to be led by the Spirit more fully. How? That’s the big question.
 
Practically, here is what I am thinking of ways to let the Spirit guide my life more fully:

• I need to slow down to listen to Him (to actually pray and not just “want to pray”). To slow down and let Him nudge me.
• To not have to be so “efficient”.
• To not have to give an answer right away but wait.
• To actually think before I say yes or no. I do far too much on my own whims.
• It means I need to obey in the areas of my life that I have been reluctant to let Him in, or areas I have been trying to manage apart from Him.
• It means I want to run to Him quicker.

 
It would be like planting a garden and then daily taking a walk through it to see how things are growing. And wherever any weeds may pop up, I pluck them out right then and there. It would mean pruning and cultivating a healthy garden. As we know, they don’t just happen.
 
This all flows into the life of the church into how we do ministry. It affects every leadership position and ministry. It means seeking the Lord in our planning. Talking to Him more throughout the day. We pray together, for each other. We ask better questions to get to know one another more deeply. We grow in prayer gatherings. We invite Him into our lives and ministry. We humbly turn to Him. We simply do as He has said in His Word – as He leads us. We don’t have to copy another ministry. We don’t have to compare ourselves with another. We simply go as He leads.
 
It's all fairly simple – no hard equations or rocket science here – just more dependence. A greater sense of our need for Him in our lives and ministry. We lean into the Spirit’s leading.
 
I am excited about God’s leading in us. I absolutely love how we began the year last Sunday by calling out to Him. What I feel confident about: God is at work, moving and leading us as a church!
 
I hope you can make it to our Annual Church Meeting tomorrow afternoon at 4. You’ll hear more of this and see how He is has been at work in us.
 
It is a joy to walk with you church!
 

 In His Grip,