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Since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight and sin,
let us run with endurance the race (the journey) set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross (His journey).
HEBREWS 12:1-2
I recently heard someone note that salvation is not simply an event, but is more profoundly the beginning of a journey. This resonated with me, and compelled me to write this Rest Stop. :)
LIVING THROUGH EXTERNAL EVENTS
It is tempting to seek fulfillment through events. And if an event turns out as we hope, there seems to be fulfillment.
However, the apparent fulfillment from an event ultimately wanes, and so we seek fulfillment in another event. This can become an on-going cycle. And the times between events can become...well... uneventful.
LIVING THROUGH AN INDWELLING LIFE
Jesus lives in us to fulfill all of our deepest needs for love and acceptance, and to fulfill the need to have a worthy purpose. I love events. However, I believe I can only
fully enjoy events by knowing I have already been fulfilled in Christ alone.
When we believe we already have fulfillment in Christ, we are free to experience joy in each step of our journeys. Each moment in life can become a part of the on-going eternal event of experiencing and relating to Christ living in and through us, and, as a result, relating in meaningful ways with others.
There is joy in this journey, but not necessarily happiness all of the time. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit always in us, and happiness is a result of what might happen in events around us. Joy brings stability, happiness is undependable.
May we always look unto Jesus who indwells us and who for the joy set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2).
CLOSING
Below is an excerpt from Joy in the Journey by Michael Card:
There is a joy in the journey,
there's a light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life,
and freedom for those who obey.
Below is a link to this song that can help you rest and reflect.
God bless you on your journey!
PS, It is encouraging to also remember that prayer is much more than an activity...it is an ongoing relationship with God. Prayer is how we breathe on our journeys!
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JOURNEY IN CHRIST MINISTRY UPDATES
Three churches are providing facilities for our staff of 5 to meet with people for discipleship counseling and training. The locations of these churches triangulate the Greenville, SC area. In addition, a coffee shop ministry on Main Street Greenville has recently offered to provide space for us.
Opportunities are unfolding to minister to pastors. And opportunities are growing to partner with other ministries and with businesses regarding the ministry of discipleship.
I continue to love teaching at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC every Monday evening from 6 to 7. Let me know if you would like to go with me any Monday evening.
Journey in Christ will be receiving a grant at a South Carolina Christian Foundation banquet on October 11! The grant is to help fund our increasing outreach to disciple and train others.
5 people will be graduating from our 8-month advanced discipleship training in November.
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