ALONG THE JOURNEY
BY MARK WILBANKS
Aim High
Through the years, one of my favorite authors has been Charles Swindoll. The book that has meant the most to me was “Living Above the Level of Mediocrity.” His perspective was raising the bar in life happens through personal commitment and extravagant love. He wrote about refocusing priorities and refusing to settle for “good enough.” He gave advice about conquering stagnation and selfishness by conscious, deliberate expressions of passionate joy.
Who wants to be average? I doubt you have ever seen this bumper sticker: My child is a C student. The old adage applies here – why flock with turkeys when you can soar with eagles?
James Russell Lowell penned these words:
Life is a leaf of paper white
Whereon each one of us may write his word or two, and then comes night.
Greatly begin! Though thou have time but for line, be that sublime.
Not failure, but low aim, is crime.
In Isaiah 43, we find these words from the Lord: “It is nothing compared to what I am going to do. Look, I am about to do a new thing. It has already begun. Do you not see it?”
Our congregation voted to stay in our current location and implement drastic change. We affirmed four initiatives that would direct the changes we feel are necessary. Life groups, Impact teams, and the Gathering represent immediate responses. Initiatives 2 and 4 relate to our enhancing worship life and engaging young adults.
How are we addressing these vital components? Leading up to our church conference on February 19, we will be sharing information through the mail, in Sunday morning presentations, small group gatherings, and other forms to identify the person and plan I believe can move us forward. Next week, you will receive a letter and a summary of our progress to date. While the communication process is vital in understanding the radical implications we are considering, the most important activity we can all join is fervent prayer for God’s direction and blessing.
We plan to aim high. Nothing else will suffice to honor the spirit of our church, a fellowship that is determined to reach people in our community with the Gospel.
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