Discipleship

When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD
has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.'" “The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.” Exodus 16:15-16,31

One of the interesting things about the story of God providing food for His people as were delivered from bondage to freedom is His supply of Manna for their hunger. At Moses instruction they were told to gather enough of this amazing bread sent from God to eat to fulfill the hunger of each person in the community, but not to store it overnight for a snack the next day. If they did, by morning it would breed worms and would become foul. This reminded them that God would give them exactly what they needed for each day and it would always be enough.
Sometimes as disciples following our Lord we forget that God promises to supply all we need according to His riches in glory. Out of fear we strive to get more, and more things and do more and more to be a good follower of Jesus.   A woman at a retreat shared how she had devoted her whole life to spiritual seeking. She had gone to workshops, retreats, and teachers and spiritual guides. It had, she confessed, been a time of much striving, it had been fruitful in some ways, and yet it had left her tired and weary.  A friend at the retreat offered this advice, “Why not become a finder? You have been a seeker for so very long! Maybe at this stage of your life it is time to let go of seeking, and begin finding?”

The woman was silent, and a look of confusion washed across her face and suddenly a sound of laughter erupted from deep inside of her. A finder. What a delight that would be. She had never thought of that before. We get trapped in seeking and seeking, then nothing is ever enough! Everything we have says, something is missing! If we can simply “be” with our Lord in relationship together, then we can stop seeking and striving and find that God has given us all we need.
The journey of discipleship is about seeking and finding and being who we were created to be in Christ. In August we will be exploring together what it really means to be a disciple on the
journey of faith. Sunday August 15, 22, & 29 as we Journey on the road of Discipleship at all three services, we will learn more about what it means to be a finder of God’s grace in your
everyday life.
Come on August 29 and stay for the “Growth In Faith Fiesta!” Our Chart the Course Team has been putting together an exciting path to growth in faith and a variety of opportunities will be on display in the Fellowship Hall. We will also share in a Mexican Fiesta Meal together. More news on this celebration will be coming soon.
Until then I pray we all will grow in learning to simply “Be” with our Lord and receive all He has for us as his children.

Yours in Jesus,
Richard