I am committed to the belief that God has unique and fulfilling plans for our lives that have been created to fit each of us perfectly. In Jeremiah 29:11 it says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a
hope."
It is a wonderful comfort knowing that the great designer and creator, has designed and created you and me, for a plan that He wants us to walk in. Not only that, but also the fact that He is actively involved, and enjoys the process!
In Philippians 2:13 it says, "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." The 'adventure of adventures' awaits those of us who say, "Yes, Lord, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven", Matthew 6:10.
Yup, this is exciting and great, but it is not always easy. Sometimes we wish we had some help.
The reality of this adventure is like all journeys - it has both mountain tops and valleys. Mountain tops are great, and we'd love to stay there as long as possible. But, however much we wish it were different, it is in the valleys and deserts where we are taught the deep lessons, where our character is forged, and our faith is grown and refined. It is in these places where we are open to seeing and understanding things that the mountains keep from us. These are also the places where we find ourselves disoriented, stuck, discouraged, or simply unsure of the next step.
Then what do we do?
One thing I love and value is serving on the board for a ministry called House2House www.house2house.org. I just returned from our board meeting in Texas, excited about a new direction that the ministry is taking to strengthen those who are on the journey of simple, organic and missional church expressions. Up to this point, House2House has done a great job in resourcing those interested in this movement through videos, books, training manuals, a resource website, and yearly conferences that bring opportunities to hear some of the pioneers of the movement, and gain encouragement from the fellowship of others on a similar journey. However good and helpful all these things are, House2House desires to move along with God on its own journey in our particular role to support and encourage the simple, organic and missional movement in a more relational manner.
The new focus and direction of House2House will still include some of the above resources, but will now also include coming alongside individuals, groups, churches, denominations and those who have already been participating in simple church (but who may need a boost), and do it through relational coaching.
In the next few blog posts here at Backseat Driver, I will be writing about what coaching is, the value of it to those of you in simple, organic and missional church, and how to take advantage of this new resource at House2House.
We all want to be inspired to be all that we can be. To overcome the
obstacles that loom before us, and eagerly move forward in the unique and
wonderful plans that God has for us. Sometimes, all we need is someone to come alongside us, encouraging, challenging, and helping us discover what God has put inside us "for such a time as this". Coaching can be a significant part
of that process, and it may be something you would personally find beneficial, as you navigate through your own adventure.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Don't go where the path may lead, go instead to where there is no path and leave a trail."
