ADVENTure 14 - N is for Next step
24 DAILY REFLECTIONS ON MISSION WITH THE LIGHTWAVE COMMUNITY
The Lord “tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those who have young” Isaiah 40.11
When we are sharing faith – often we long that people would take the big step… give up drinking, finding happiness, start coming to church… But it is unusual for people to take big leaps of faith. it is no mistake that the Christian life is often described as a journey – a journey that is taken one step at a time. As we walk with people on that journey of discovery, we and they might have a vision of where we want that journey to go – but as well as that big vision there always needs to be a practical next step to keep moving towards that goal. If someone wants to become drug free, the next step might be to reduce dosage. If someone wants to discover God, the next step depends on where they are:
Lightwave use the Suffolk discipleship pathway to help us to identify what sorts of next steps might be offered to individuals, families and groups on their journey of faith. If someone has very little experience of God – sowing a seed might just mean opportunities to meet with Christians socially or join in with a social project so they can see the difference Jesus makes without needing to commit themselves. Someone who already has some awareness of God and who is interested in finding out more might want to be offered an opportunity to borrow a book or have a conversation about faith or attend an event at a local church or Christian retreat house. The point is to listen and support the person in finding the next right step for them:
You can find out more about the Suffolk discipleship pathway at www.lightwave.community/suffolk-discipleship-pathway
This approach is not only those who are discovering faith for the first time: All followers of Jesus are being called to “sanctification”; to keep growing in our closeness to God. What is our next step?
Heavenly Father, we thankyou that so often you guide us one step at a time. We often have a goal – but your vision is bigger still and know what is best for us. As we travel as fellow pilgrims, help us to support each other in taking the next faithful step in our lives. Amen.