Called to Pilgrimage: Worshiping Through Change and Loss

So if we hold on to that, a beautiful truth emerges. Change without worship becomes anxiety. Change with worship becomes pilgrimage. Change without worship becomes anxiety. Change with worship becomes pilgrimage. Change with God at the heart. We are not just wandering aimlessly. We are travelling with God. God did not call Abraham because he was strong. He called him because he was faithful. [01:00:33] (62 seconds)  #ChangeWithWorshipPilgrimage

Not having every answer. But trusting the one who says, I will bless you. So, may we pitch our tents lightly. May we build our worship firmly. And, may we walk forward together with God purposely. So, the changes that we face become a pilgrimage for each of us. Amen. [01:02:11] (44 seconds)  #TrustingGodsBlessing

We need to shift from asking how can we preserve what was. To how do we serve God and what is coming next. If we look at the story of Abraham, we find that before he owns any land, sees any fulfillment, and before his world feels safe and secure, he does something. He builds altars. Twice in this short passage, Abraham worships. He pictures tents which are temporary, which come down and move with him, but he builds altars that last and are permanent. [00:59:12] (42 seconds)  #WorshipBeforePossessions

He builds and roots his life in worship. Because, yes, buildings matter. Yes, structures are important. Yes. Committees are needed. And, yes. Planning is important. But worship, worship matters regardless of where we are and what we are doing. We do not define ourselves by our architecture or even our governance. We define ourselves by the god whom we worship. [00:59:54] (38 seconds)  #WorshipDefinesUs

God is not scrambling to catch up with declining membership or attendance. God is not wringing his hands over the upkeep of any buildings. The one who called Abram at the age of 75 is still the one who calls his church today. And so, we're not simply just managing survival. Instead, with that truth, we are answering God's call not with timidness or debate or with delay, but with the faith of Abram who went as God instructed. [00:54:02] (40 seconds)  #FaithNotFear

Many of the seeds which are planted now will not flourish until long after we have gone. And, more importantly, some decisions which we prayerfully make will shape children who are yet to be born. It's tempting to think as it's tempting to think that at a certain age or stage in our congregational life, we can move into a mode of just maintenance, of keeping it going as it is. But today, we are challenged to think otherwise. Abraham's most significant chapter begins at 75. [00:57:48] (45 seconds)  #PlantSeedsForFuture

But, herein lies the beauty of the passage. God does not give Abraham a map. But, what he does give us is a promise. I will show you. Not, I have shown you. Not, here is the plan for the next five years. But instead, simply, I will show you. Then in verse two and three, God says, I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you. You will be a blessing. [00:56:30] (49 seconds)  #PromiseIWillShowYou

As an old man, he's invited to step into something larger than his own lifetime. He will die long before Israel becomes a nation. He will never get to glimpse the Messiah on Earth who will come from his line. But, he is invited to step forward. As I said before, much of what we do as well as a congregation, we will not see blossom. Many of the seeds which are planted now will not flourish until long after we have gone. [00:57:20] (37 seconds)  #LegacyBeyondLifetime