Trusting God in the Long Work
By Rachel White, Pastor of Next Steps
It was so inspiring to see answers to prayers from 15 years ago when we visited Oxford last Fall. Walking around the city reminded me of countless prayer meetings and the hopeful anticipation during the season we lived there that God would answer those prayers with large numbers of people in the city returning to faith and finding him for the first time. It didn’t happen during our college years, but it’s happening now! It was exciting and encouraging to hear about how people, young people especially, are turning to Christ in surprising and delightful ways.
I’ve been reflecting ever since our trip on God’s faithfulness and our need to just keep on trusting, even when it takes a long time to see results. I’ve been praying that we too might be encouraged and see fruit here in Gig Harbor too. And even though you’ve heard this already, I can’t help but continue to share and witness to God’s goodness and faithfulness we experienced this Advent season. I was taken aback and ever so encouraged by the rows of people raising their hand at Christmas to say yes to Jesus, for the first time, or the first time in a long time. Pastor Julie and I were blown away by entire families coming back to the wood wall to receive Bibles. It’s been exciting for all of us to see new people checking out the church, and it’s been even more thrilling seeing our people making invitations and experiencing the joy of seeing someone say yes. The buzz of congregants whose families and friends said yes to Jesus recently is palpable!
Making invitations is a delicate art where the relationship and the person being invited is the utmost priority beyond the exact words or result of the conversation. I know many of us, myself included, get nervous to make the ask. But I don’t want that to stop us asking! God is at work, he is on the move, he is preparing people and drawing them to himself before we even start and we only need do our part, not his. I’m praying for us to have spiritual eyes to see who is ready and seeking, to notice the signs of spiritual hunger and curiosity. And I want us to be excited that God is on the move! I’m personally feeling so encouraged because I had two people in my life recently who asked in conversation if they could come to church. I would describe each of them as spiritual, moral people but I had no idea that they were so ready to accept an invitation—they both basically prompted me to make one! I had brought up my interest and engagement with faith before, but not in a while, so I was equal parts delighted and surprised by these conversations. I was even more thrilled when they followed through and came! I feel that their willingness to give it a try honors our friendship and I have the greatest respect for their act of courage in showing up.
Maybe you are that person who got invited and gave Chapel Hill a try recently. If so, I’m so overjoyed you are here reading this blog and getting more connected here at the church. We want to help you grow in your journey of faith.
Maybe you are the person who has been praying for their friends but hasn’t seen them say yes to an invitation yet. I want to encourage you, don’t give up! Don’t lose heart.
As the world get darker, Christ’s light only shines brighter. I wonder, how might God be asking you in this new year, to be the light that shines on a hill, a beacon of hope to your neighbors and community. I want to ask, who might God be putting in front of your path to invite into the way of Jesus with you. Who is it that you might invite to church or to Alpha this season?
If you are curious or have questions about faith, Alpha is a safe place to explore your doubts, your thoughts and your experiences. It’s a place to discover more about what following Jesus could look like, and an enjoyable experience to share with others on the same path. You don’t have to follow Jesus to attend, and if you are having spiritual conversations with a friend, it’s a great place to continue that conversation. You are welcome to just try it once and see if it’s a good fit. We’d be honored to have you.
You can find out more information and let us know you are coming here: gigharborlalpha.com.
Hope to see you there! We start Wednesday, January 28, at 6:30 pm.
Rachel