Post 3 - God Guides Us

 

Post 3

 

Let God Guide Us 

As mentioned in earlier posts, I'm reading a book on 'Deconstruction' - a term I've been seeing the last few years regarding people challenging their Christian faith.

 

In one sense, as I read, I'm saying to myself, "Oh, I'm not the only one going through a bit of a wilderness where my connection to church is concerned." But my journey has been much different from what I've seen expressed in the book so far. It's written by those much younger than I. My church journey is probably twice the number of years of theirs. I'm still not sure how I feel about this so-called Deconstruction of the Christian Faith that so many are claiming to be going through. I'm still uncertain if I support the book or not. But I'm only partway through it.

The book paints a picture of deconstruction as a journey similar to a trip you'd make in a canoe. Interestingly, I created a post a few years ago with the analolgy of our faith being like the journey of a cruise ship. Okay, I've never been on a cruise ship and I haven't canoed in years, but I can see these are good analogies. 

The good news about these types of journeys, which will have stops along the way, is there is an eventual return home.  

I know the church is changing. Change is part of life. And I hope all who are on this deconstruction journey find home again one day--a new expression of their faith in a way that pleases God.

My home.

When preparing to create this new blog, I came across a blog I started a few years ago and discontinued. Wow! It had similar thoughts to what the writers of this book have shared. I'm going to share parts of the post here, but if you want to look at the entire post, here is the link for it. 

Is Your Faith Journey More Like a Canoe Trip or a Cruise?

(repost from another blog published January 2020) 

Last year, God gave me an analogy of how to live 2019. The analogy was that of hopping aboard a cruise ship being willing to visit all the ports of call God might take me to. It was a valuable exercise. 

Through the year we visited the port of TRAGEDY and GRIEF with passing of a beloved cat and later our beloved dog. We stopped at the island of ADVENTURE several times as my husband and I took several mini-trips this summer. We visited BRAVERY as we hosted three summer parties and visited a new church in November. 

Winding Stream Vision

Isaiah 43:18,19

God says: Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 

This year, God granted me a new vision. He seemed to say that I was turning a corner similar to a bend in a winding stream. I sensed the old passing to make ready for new. So new habits and new routines will be cultivated, and new adventures will be around the corner. 

My vision this year was reinforced by a few lessons. One has been an urging by the Holy Spirit to keep my focus on God not myself, my woes, or the circumstances around me. 

 

 

The plants along a stream have deep roots that keep the land stable. I need to keep my roots nourished with God's word and prayer. I need to be rooted in him. 

I also have to be aware of what might contaminate  

my stream and avoid those things. 

To prepare for the new thing I sensed I needed to get rid of old things. In September, I began decluttering my home. 

I also caught myself when I was tempted to look at the past. We can cherish and celebrate the past, but we need not live in it.

The question isn't: What did you do in the past? 

The question for today is: What is God doing in your life right now? What desires do you have? What would you like him to do in your life right now? Are you prepared for it?

God will make rivers in your desert. Just as he put plans into place to move his people into the Promised Land, he will put people and plans into place for you. 

Move at God's Pace

Some streams or rivers move quickly. Others gently flow. Sometimes it depends on the season of the year as to how fast the river flows.

Similarly in our Christian walk there are times and seasons we will need to act quickly and others we will need to tread gently. 

Move quickly when facing temptation. Move quickly when something threatens to contaminate your stream. Move fast when you recognize a God-initiated opportunity to do good. Don't delay. Help the poor, needy, or family members when it is within your power to help.

But move slowly when you are hurt, angry, sick, or depressed. You need to think clearly. Move slowly until you have all the facts you need. Move slowly when you need to make a major decision.

Thoughts for Exploring Your Faith Beyond What You Know

I called this blog Exploring Faith Beyond Tradition. I sense the church is in an era of change--one where many are tired of spectator style worship in a modern auditorium with flashing lights and a too-loud worship band. And then there are the startups--the church plants--who are copying the model of what they know rather than doing something new. And then there are those doing something new, but many aren't embracing it because they are skeptical. They're still asking if participation in such is  the best use of their time. 

But maybe it's just me making too many assumptions. I simply want to connect better with Jesus, not go to church out of tradition or guilt. 

Trust God 

One thing we can rest assured of no matter what we see going on around us is that God is always ready and willing to guide us. 

 

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches 

them his way.”

Psalm 25:9 (NIV)

There are many today who want to go their own way. Instead of doing what God wants them to do, they take matters into their own hands and make up new rules about their own faulty interpretation of God and how he works. The Bible tells us that will happen. 

Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. 

We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (NLT). 

As sheep, we are prone to wander off the path. That’s why we need guidance from Our Heavenly Father. 

So many insist on following their gut. But that can be the wrong thing to do too.

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, 

but in the end it leads to death” (NIV). 

Throughout the changes going on in the church today, it is better to admit we need God's direction. God wants to lead us on the right paths and into the right streams. 

God wants to be the captain of our cruise ship, and our paddle partner in the canoe of our spiritual voyage.