I’m his God

We’ve all seen the movies: rugged men and women trekking across America in search of a better life. American pioneers were primarily 19th-century settlers who moved westward across North America, driven by the search for land, opportunity, and freedom, including religious freedom. They faced immense hardships, traveling by wagon on trails like the Oregon and California Trails to build new lives.

American pioneers faced severe hardships during the 19th-century westward expansion, including deadly diseases such as cholera and malaria, extreme weather conditions like blizzards and droughts, starvation, and isolating loneliness. Traveling more than 1,000 miles in wagons, they endured treacherous river crossings, harsh terrain, and shortages of food, water, and shelter.

Through these hardships, they traveled believing that a better life was possible. I dare say we hardly think of their contributions as we travel at high speeds down asphalt highways.

Similar to those pioneers, we who by faith believe there is a better way to live in Christ are also facing struggles and difficulties. Digging ourselves out of 1,700 years of dysfunctional religion, we long to see a city of light, a pure bride, if not for ourselves, then for our children and grandchildren. By faith we believe, and thus we travel forward, blazing a trail for others to follow.

If you’re on social media and follow any house church groups, you will notice people asking questions about how to conduct meetings and how leadership should be structured. There is lots of advice given and others all too eager to “correct”, sometimes in a not-so-loving way. In this period of transition, we need to help and support one another and be filled with grace when expressing our opinions. No one has all the answers. We are learning, we are adapting, and we are moving forward.

Perhaps one day there will be house church groups on every block, and we will have a more consistent way of gathering – groups with relational connections to one another, working in harmony with what the Spirit longs to do here on earth. We long for that city.

I recently read Hebrews 11, that great chapter on faith, and came across this passage…

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Perhaps those advocating for a better way to follow Christ will never see the full fruit of their labor in their lifetime. However, those of faith who continue on have a great encouragement: God is not ashamed to be called their God. I can just imagine God looking down and proudly saying, “Yes, that’s right – I’m their God!”

It’s wonderful to think that God is proud of us, even if we don’t get everything right 100% of the time. Let’s endeavor to work together as we journey onward.

Sign up below to receive my bi-monthly newsletter. Thank you.