We're all in this together. It's the lyrics of a well known ad campaign. It was the catch cry over Covid. But the sad reality is that many navigate and transition through life with a lone ranger complex; a self-imposed state of loneliness that arises from bearing the brunt of the struggles, needs and burdens of life or an organisation single-handedly. Some even wear it as a badge of honour - "who needs other people's help when you have two capable hands and a strong head on your shoulders?!' But neither leadership nor life was meant to be a solo expedition for the burdens can be heavy, and the journey dangerous and those who try to forge ahead single-handedly will often find themselves overwhelmed or overcome by fatigue and despair. Today God wants us to see the need we have to lean on others and to build a support system so that we are able to traverse the challenging landscape of life, last the distance and experience the joy of being together in the promise.
#9 in series - The Journey of Promise
Rhythm guides our lives! From sunset to sunrise, from breathing in and out, to the left, right, left, right steps we take, our lives are full of repeated patterns of movement that guide and shape our behaviour and direct our lives.
Some rhythms are life-giving, some are life defeating. Just days after their miraculous rescue out of slavery, the people of God develop an unhealthy rhythm and response to their circumstances; it's a response that will characterise their behaviour over and over again in the pages of Scripture. But God shows them a new rhythm that is to shape and define their lives as his people. It's a rhythm that is filled with promise, immersed in grace, moves in faith and overflows with generosity. It's a rhythm that establishes and builds community in difficult times. We'll discover that today as we continue our journey in the book of Exodus and explore "in the wilderness with promise."
#8 in series: The Journey of Promise
Baby steps” “One day at a time” “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”
We know the clichés. We’re familiar with the understanding that much of life can only be experienced in moment-by-moment segments. We get it that we’re not privileged to know the outcomes of tomorrow until we get there.
It’s precisely that uncertainty that breeds our anxieties. It is precisely in the unknown or unknowable where our fears multiply. But what is assured in all the uncertainty and unknown of life is that we live and move and have our very existence enveloped in the presence, protection and provision of the Father. God is always with us and forever for us and he will not leave us to wander alone. So today we look at walking in the promise.
#7 in series: The Journey of Promise
World leaders have them. So do some celebritiesI Even the pope has his own. PPD or PSD - Personal protection or security detail. Bodyguards. Trained people that can be relied on to protect you and keep you safe from all danger at all costs. Their presence is meant to help a person relax and feel safe as they go about their everyday life. In our life's journey, sometimes it is easy to forget that we have our own PPD - a faithful God who never leaves us, whose might no-one or nothing can surpass, who is willing to do whatever it takes to save us. Whatever we encounter, he is a God who is mighty to save. His promise of salvation also comes with the promise of protection...from all that enslaves, from all that troubles, from all that diminishes and destroys life. It's a promise that we, as the people of God, need to remember, to remind each other of, and to claim so that we can live life to the full, whatever circumstances we encounter on our journey. So today we claim again the protection of the promise as we gather in worship together.
#6 in series: The Journey of Promise
I couldn’t have done it without you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here. How many times have we been under the pump & someone stepped in and made all the difference...right place right time right amount of help & things changed for the better? We could all tell that story...maybe 100x over.
In the cosmic confrontation between God and all who would seek for themselves God’s place in the universe, God always enlists partners in his purpose & promise so the world would see God’s greatness, goodness & glory. You know some of the names...Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses & Aaron, kings, prophets, apostles and you and me...called by God to participate in his work & reveal to those around us who he is and how vast is his love for us. God invites you too to be partners in the promise as you simply do what he calls you to do in order to reveal the greatness & majesty of his name. It's time to step up.
#5 in series: Exodus: Journey of Promise
The Summit. The Amazing Race. Survivor. Rush. All of these reality shows involve a journey, and all contain a promise - financial freedom or a transformative prize for those who make it to the end. Along the way there are challenges encountered and obstacles faced. There is doubt, discouragement, and despair as people come face to face with their own limitations, with things that don't go according to plan, and more importantly, with who they are, and what drives their life. It's these very questions that are at the heart of the journey of promise we encounter in the book of Exodus. "Who is the Lord" and "who am I" are key questions that each one of us need to answer in life's journey as we come face to face with the God who makes himself known to us. They are questions that confront us when things seem to deteriorate rather than improve, when the promise seems distant rather than real. It's then that we discover that the greatest obstacles we face lie not without us but within us and it is this obstacle to the promise that we explore today. For that is when we will discover real freedom not just now but forever.
#4 in series: Exodus: Journey of Promise
It all sounds so promising. A great opportunity. Even exciting. But then reality hits and self-doubt sets in. The voices in our head make us second guess ourselves, doubt our capabilities, and overwhelm our hearts with dread and fear. It was Moses’ journey…it is also our journey. But the call of God is not about Moses. It is not about you. It’s about God. There is no way we can accomplish what God wants us to do in our own strength. But when we step out and say yes to his mission, God will equip and empower with all that is necessary to be the people he calls us to be. Sometimes all we have is the voice of promise…but that is enough… for God confidence overcomes self-doubt every time. Today you hear the voice of promise for yourself so you can be God’s voice of promise to the world.
#3 in series: Exodus: The Journey of Promise
…”I understand” “I know just how you feel” “I know what you’re going through” Many times those words leave our mouths before we’ve taken time to think…if we thought, many times we’d never say those words. We’re not the other person. We don’t really understand. We don’t really know what it’s like to be in their position. Similar, perhaps. But we are not them. And many times we aren’t able to do anything to change the situation. God, however, can and in those times of desolation, desperation and aimless wandering, he does know intimately what we are thinking, feeling, or going through. And when God knows, he is moved to act in mercy, grace and with power for those for whom he has promised to be Redeemer; the lost, wounded, broken, enslaved and suffering. So if you have ever felt no-one understands or you are experiencing that now, come and experience the God who comes to deliver and fulfil his promise in person.
#2 in Series: Exodus: The Journey of Promise
Wonder Woman is one! As is Monster's University or Puss in Boots!. In film or literary terms, they are known as prequels - “the story before the story” – the backstory – the events that lead up to what you know as the story. As we open the pages on the Exodus story, a journey out of slavery into freedom as a people of God, there is a prequel, there is a backstory. There is a Promise that shapes all the promises even to this day. It's a promise that inspires courage and compassion. A promise that gives hope even when life seems to serve up curses. So join us today as we begin the journey and look at the prequel that reveals whether the story of our journey is one of promise or curse.
#1 in series: Exodus: Journey of Promise