STRETCH TO OUR FUTURE

Bible Verse:
Caleb interrupted, called for silence before Moses and said, “Let’s go up and take the land — now. We can do it.” Numbers 13:30 (TM)

Devotional:
I watched as my three-year-old and two-year-old granddaughters ran around the playground. Predictably, the older attacked the slide, the swings and the monkey bars, as the younger stood and watched. After much coaxing, Morgan joined her sister reluctantly on the slide. Frozen at the top, she turned to come down but couldn’t; another child was right behind her. Crying, she slid down and found the ride was fun! With new courage she climbed back up and did it again, experiencing the rush of the slide. Morgan is fortunate to have an “in house” encourager, someone to stretch her comfort zone, to push her beyond her fears, to help her experience more of life.

In the middle of the night, the children of Israel hurriedly left their Egyptian captors for freedom in the Promised Land. However, like Morgan, they “froze” in fear at the entrance because of the challenges ahead. Their focus was on the obstacles, not the power of the God they worshipped. The minority voice that called them to stretch to their future was vehemently refused, resulting in a 40-year detour. I wonder what they missed during those wasted years?

We have an opportunity now to be stretched to our future. How will we respond? I found it interesting to discover, while talking to those who have been here longer than I, that over 20 years ago, in the midst of a financial downturn, our church stretched to build the current Christian Life Center. There were moments along that journey that proved impossible unless God showed up. Isn’t that just where God shows us our faith — it is not in ourselves or the surrounding circumstances, but in Him and His power to do exceeding beyond what we ask or think? In fact, if you look at the history of this church from the beginning, faithful men and women have been stretched to the future we now enjoy. It is now our turn. How will you respond?

Prayer:
As you answer that question you might pray: Lord, stretch us. Give us the measure of faith and confidence we need to trust You to provide for our future as Your church on this corner. Lord, show me where I need to stop looking at the circumstances and instead allow You to stretch me. For Your Glory. Amen.

Written by Dianne Miller. Dianna and Brad have attended Northwest for 10 years.