A Jolt In My Journey

Lamentations 3:20-22 – I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (NIV)

Deciding to move to a church that is closer to our home was something that I struggled with for over a year. We felt that the distance we were travelling was too far, and gradually we positioned our minds in the direction of another church. Things went well until the final decision came to make the move.

I sat down to write a simple letter that covered a lifetime that I had experienced in my home church. It was then that I found a discomforting knot, a feeling of sadness at leaving friends of many years. The discomfort grew worse as the time grew near.

For years we had gone south for the winter months, and it had never bothered me to attend another church. I was always going back home again, and never had to break the tie totally.

This time, I was sad, but what I was doing was even worse: I was trying to do this in my own strength. It was then that I realized that I needed the Lord's great love, so that I would not be consumed, "for His compassions never fail".

Here I found stability in this jolt in my journey. After all, it wasn't the end — I could always return for a visit.

As it turned out, I made the transition with ease. I now feel God wanted me to be in another place. It was as though He called me to change.

Today I feel at home in my new-found church, where God has led me. I have found a caring, loving community and fellowship among Christians. I now look forward to this gathering together in Christ's church, as we come to know one another better.

I pray for people who do not attend a church, offering many assorted reasons. I don't know how one can cope with adversity without a church family. We share love and concern for one another. Oh yes, there can be problems, as we are human, but God's love covers all who worship Him in spirit and in truth. We are all a part of the family of God.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for pointing us in the right direction. We pray for others searching for a Christian home, asking that You will lead them in the way that they should go. By our example may we let others see that we have hope in Jesus, in Whose name we pray. Amen.

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