Even Greater than Expected

What if the various churches in a community could come together for a joint season of seeking the Lord, and reaching out to their neighbor?

Last fall 15 pastors in Anderson decided to try it. We co-wrote a devotional, focussing on the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission. Our 15 congregations from a variety of backgrounds started reading it this week. Week one targets what it means to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Week two aims at loving our neighbor as ourselves. Week three  is designed to share with an unchurched friend, with six daily readings describing the joy of living with Christ. The title for this grand adventure? "Living the GREAT Life." Check it out at www.AndersonChurches.com. 

I've been reflecting on that - how great life is when we love God to the best of our ability, let that love spill over to our neighbor, and participate in sharing the good news of God's love! I used to think that life was something you endured. Get through the day. Keep your head down, enjoy what you can along the way, but don't expect too much. That way you will not be disappointed. God was in the picture, but only around the edges. He was the shadowy figure waiting to judge. You could call on Him in emergencies, but it was best not to call too much attention to yourself if you could help it.

Then by God's grace that all changed. God showed me He wants to be the center of life, not the shadow.  I prayed 36 years ago to ask Christ to be my Savior, and to help me live for Him. He answered that prayer with more than I ever imagined! What a GREAT life it has been!

I like to say "God's way is the right way; all shortcuts lead thruogh the brier patch." God has given us guidelines for good healthy living, and every time I think I know a better way than Him I find out how wrong I am. My ways always bring unintended consequences and hidden costs. His ways have unexpected blessings and surprise bonuses. 

But God's way is far more than a list of rules or principles. It's a relationship! That's why the greatest command is about love, and the primary principle is to live by faith. It means to put our hand in His hand and walk together. And let me tell you, there is no greater life than that. There is no greater joy than to receive God's love and to give mine back. There is no greater adventure than to step into the unknown with Him, trusting that He knows where He's going!

I think back on all the amazing times at church camp (All Ages II at Merom - WOW! Solid Rock Camp at St. Marys - POW!) of seeing God touch young lives. Emmaus Walks and mission trips. God has taken me places I never dreamed I'd be able to go; India, Nicaragua, Hungary, Ukraine. Nothing inspires faith quite like your first taxi ride in India! 

Truly, there is no greater life than living with God and for God. No greater work than letting Him work through you. No greater legacy than planting seeds of eternity. No greater thrill than seeing God's miracles.