Week of June 1, 2010

  • Pastor Duane Cross
  • Jun 1, 2010
  • Series: blessed*

Web Article                                                                  June 1, 2010

 

PATHWAYS

In a wonderful book by Bill Hybels, Courageous Leadership, the author describes 7 different pathways through which people learn and connect with God.  In the next few weeks, I would like to share them with you.  Sacred pathways are like doors that open into a room where we can feel particularly close to God.  We all have different personalities and spiritual gifts, maybe in understanding your pathway to God; you will be able to revitalize your own walk with God.

THE SERVING PATHWAY

Some folks can’t seem to catch their spiritual stride and feel consistently close to God unless they’re quietly and consistently laboring in kingdom vineyards.  When it comes to thinkers and doers, these people are the doers.

They read their Bibles, pray, and attend worship services like the rest of us.  But if you ask them when they feel closest to God or when they feel most dialed in, centered, joyful, and alive in Christ, don’t expect them to answer, “During prayer,” or, “When I’m studying theology,” or, “When I’m singing a worship song.”  If they are honest they will answer, “When I’m serving.  When I’m volunteering in ministry.  When I know I’m helping to accomplish the work of God.”

One of our board members at Willow has a serving pathway.  Serving is so central to his walk with God that he took an early retirement and relocated his home right across the street from the church.  Every week he spends several days volunteering on campus.  If you ask him why he does it he just breaks out in a smile and says, “Because I never feel as close to God as when I’m an instrument in his hands serving others in the Kingdom.”

At a recent baptism service, I saw him sitting in the crowd, crying his eyes out at the sight of hundreds of freshly redeemed people.  He knew his serving had played a part in the overall redemptive scheme.  If you took serving away from him, you’d close the door on his pathway to God.

If you’re someone who feels closest to God when you are doing something for him, then lean into the serving pathway.  Put together a spiritual formation plan that centers on serving, and I predict that your awareness of God’s presence will increase dramatically.

 

Pastor Duane

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