Challenging the Status Quo

I read that phrase a few weeks ago and it has stuck with me. Although not the first time I had heard that statement, I think even more today we need to be actively challenging things.

Why do you do the things you do? Have you ever wondered that? How much of our days are consumed with doing things the way they have always been done? Do we question the "normal" stuff or just go about our usual busyness?

Now, to be honest, I've been called a rebel more than once, go figure. That label has not been used in an unkind way or because I have done "bad" things. On the contrary, I usually get called that because I have stepped out of the box of what is expected: the change of a church home, pulling my children out of traditional schooling, not wanting my children involved in an organized youth program, etc. Things that we never question, we just do them and don't even think about it.

If we truly want to follow God's leading, there will be times that He calls us to do things that are contrary to the norm. Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. That's a hard one to wrap our minds around, it's contrary to our culture. And our comfort zone!

In Romans 12:1-2 it says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (ESV). We must test the things we do and think about, even if that means going against the flow. If we test everything against the scriptures and have a book, chapter and verse for everything we do, we may look weird to the outside world but we will be on the mark with God.

So what ways do you challenge the status quo? Look around at what you do and ask yourself "Why?" It might be interesting to see what you come up with!

On the Road Again...

Well, we aren't called Journey Church for nothin'! We will soon be finding another place to hold our Sunday meetings. We do not believe that God is calling us to build/buy our own building to meet in. I guess, there are a few reasons behind that: first, we don't want to be tied to a building and become focused on it and not people; next, we want to be able to give to others (i.e. missions, those who are in need, etc), instead of, paying for all of the up keep of a building; and finally, we don't want to get too comfortable! So I guess that leaves us looking for a new home. Where we find ourselves right now, however, is not new for us; in the 14 months we have been meeting on Sundays, we have met in 3 different places (and 2 different times), each unique to itself. I don't know all of reasons why God keeps moving us, but one reason I can't overlook is the fact that with every new place God brings us new people! I have to believe that because He is moving us to a new place that there is someone we will cross paths with that we wouldn't have where we are now. It's wonderful to be a part of a church that just wants to be available to be used by God, and to let Him lead us wherever He wants us to be. I can't wait to see where He takes us this time, it's always an adventure, and that's a good thing!