Directions...

Carol took this picture back in the earlier part of the year. Kate, Bob, Madison, Kyle, Anna, Barbara, Carol and I headed up town for the day for lunch and a little city time. This picture is pretty awesome with the different directions and miles to destinations from that particular spot. It has me thinking on a few things. Tonight I will be preaching at LOL and will be in the book of Mark 3. Jesus most often had to get into a boat to get room enough to teach the people that came in to hear him, to see him, to be healed by him, or for some - to come together and try to snare him in a sin. I just finished up making a few DVD's from our Thirst Camp this summer and seeing all the faces and the work being done with full hearts in the community to help those who could use a help up and not a help out. Some of those faces they have looked at this sign and have taken such a hard road. Maybe its selfishness or being influenced by friends. Maybe its an addiction or some kind of self injury thing they are suffering through. Maybe its the wrong friend or wrong crowd that they find themselves in. What ever the case may be - God is bigger than those things. Far too often we think of God as too small and ourselves as too big. How long did you pray about that particular thing before giving up and taking it back - then doing what you wanted to in the first place? Did you really trust God in what you were asking him for? Sometimes those things we ask for are not what would be best for us. Sometimes there is something better that God has planned. Often times we wake up WAY over here in a tough place, surrounded with tough things, far away from where God would be with you - because you took a wrong direction. Serving in the youth is a tough place and dealing with family issues other than my own is tiring, exhausting but its during those times where a student makes that God connection in their life that keeps all this effort and heartache worth it.
I have been praying hard this school year for God to be in the details of our day. For us to seek God in all we do and to find him even in the smallest of places. When we notice God in our lives, at school, in the lunch room, on the bus ride home, in our meetings at work, in the soft voice of a friend or coworker, I really believe He reveals himself to us more and more. Opportunities come to life and whispers tell us to step forward and walk across the room. He puts you in that hallway, he directs you down to the classroom where you find a student there in need, he prompts you to text someone or just feel a nudge to call a friend and ask if everything is all right.
Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I pray you are seeking God. He is a big God and when we come to realize that He is bigger than we are. Things change. Things happen. Directions change and like the sign above - the world becomes a smaller place. People are closer and things dont appear that far away anymore.
Life is meant to live forward and the directional sign is in front of you. Looking back will do you no good. Which path are you chosing? Think about it... how is the path your currently on going for you? There is someone willing to walk with you.
Lord, I can't do this alone. We all have someone or a bunch of someones who need you to walk with them. No matter what, have their backs, say the hard things, put friend in front of friendship, and go to places together.
Looking forward to sharing at LOL tonight.

God you are bigger than any problem or issue we face. Help us put that thing in your hands so we can get back on path and get our life direction pointed to you. Walk with us today and help us seek your heart in all we do.
Amen