September 13, 2020 - May 23, 2021
“I can’t wait until we get back to normal.”
KEY CONCEPTS
the book of ruth: moving forward from our past to our future
commitment themes: how commitment sets us free
The Book of ephesians: shifting from me to we in the season of advent
the beatitudes (matthew 5:3-12): 12 steps to wholeness
lenten series: things I wish jesus never said
believers to disciples: practicing faith together
How often have we each said that over the last year? We all naturally long to go back to a pre-pandemic time. Yet perhaps that actually points us in the wrong direction.
God doesn’t often call us to go BACK to the way things used to be. It’s the rebellious Israelites in the desert who want to go BACK to Egypt. It’s Peter after his denial of Jesus who goes BACK to Galilee and to his old career. God, it seems, calls us to go FORWARD.
Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” Isn’t this a summary of the Christian life? Straining FORWARD, pressing on towards Jesus? Every disciple must answer this question; in what direction is your life moving? Are you moving back towards your old life, or forward into the Spirit’s new adventure?
This year, we will reflect on this simple but profound idea: How do we move FORWARD? Forward from the past to the future? Forward from indulgence to commitment? Forward from me to we? Forward from brokenness to wholeness? Forward from comfortable to awakened? Forward from believers to disciples? It’s not just a Wisconsin thing; this is the voice of the Lord saying, “Come, follow me.” This year, let’s go FORWARD together, and press on towards Christ.
