The Right Direction

If you've yet heard the phenomenal brilliance that is the musical talent of Robert Randolph & The Family Band, then you are truly missing out. I forgot their album, Unclassified, was in the car yesterday and my sometimes finicky CD changer actually loaded the CD. Going In The Right Direction is the first song on the album, a song my oldest daughter loves to hear. She immediately recognized it and asked me to "turn it up". I was happy to do so... as this is the song to set your alarm to when you don't want to go to work tomorrow morning. 

Forgive me (this post is slightly longer than normal) and, for the 3rd day in a row being musically-based, but read these lyrics and tell me this doesn't accurately describe one's life, before and after accepting Christ.

I was lost, I thought the losing dice were tossed
I didn't know where to go, I didn't have no one to turn to
I'm glad I found you just in time
Wont miss those things I left behind

'Cause we were going in the right direction
'Cause we were going in the right direction

Now I've found the road I need to travel down
I don't know what tomorrow brings
Day by day with you I'll do the same thing
I'm so glad I'm standing on my own two feet
No more running into that dead end street

'Cause now I'm going in the right direction
'Cause now I'm going in the right direction

I thought my life was over, I thought I was lost
I just knew that there was an end to the road
But I know where I'm going right now
I know I'm going in a right direction

You better get right or you're gonna get left
You better get right or you're gonna get left
You better get right or you're gonna get left
You better get right or you're gonna get left

Ministry is an incredible process. The planting and watering of seeds, as Jesus states in the parable. The sovereignty of God in the providence of events and experiences in ones' life; the "risk" of free will and the choice of humanity, The salvation decision. The daily sanctification process.

Ministry never ends. Nor should it, as becoming more like Christ is not something one arrives at, but we push toward, as a goal.

Should it ever fail to be efficient and or cease to be effective, the work of Christ in one's life will go on; but how will they suffer the setback? Bitterness and frustration set in. Cynicism takes over and before long, there is a break down in one's faith in God. No, they may not have turned and headed back in the wrong direction, but their pursuit of God looks nothing like God's pursuit of them.

Hard to swallow, I know. My pursuit doesn't always look like how I know it should either. But don't you want to do something meaningful for someone who has done more for you than you thought was possible? That is the dynamic we have in our relationship to God.

What a shame to not handle the opportunity wisely and responsibly as an expression of gratitude.

So, we pray this #effectiveSunday, God we need your help. Forgive us for not passionately pursuing you as you sought after and continue to seek us. Forgive us, for the times we as a church have left a bitter taste...in the one contemplating making a salvation decision... for the one who came to you long ago and somewhere along the way we fumbled it up. May you grant us grace, as people come to Christ, turning their life to the "right direction". May they not be dismayed, distracted, detoured or derailed by imperfect people whom you still love enough to call the spotless bride of Christ. Help us to handle the ministry and work of the gospel well. Efficiently. Effectively. Wisely. Responsibly.

We are eternally grateful for your grace and glory, God. We look to you. We seek you. We need you. We trust you.
Hear our prayer. Come quickly to our aid.

- PNC

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