A New Adventure
It was an early start Monday morning, but I was filled with a sense of adventure. I had been thinking about this Monday for a long time. It was both so far away and so close. When the day arrived, I felt ready and excited for what was next.
The drive was long, but that didn’t worry me. It wasn't the crystal clear blue sky that I had imagined or hoped to enjoy. Rather it was cloudy and misty, with a thick layer of fog covering the sky as I descended the long, winding road.
This is when the doubt crept in, have I made the right choice? Do I really want this new adventure? I was comfortable in my old routines; why change it now? But the journey was already in motion, and I was heading to my destination: a new challenge, a new journey, a new city, but the same God. Settling into a new church and position is a lot to take in.
Leaving behind good friends, a youth group that I loved and saw grow in maturity in Christ, was hard. Leaving behind what was comfortable and known is always challenging.
Some of you may have begun new jobs this year, moved to a new school, moved into a new house, or whatever it may be, it can be a little bit scary, but all at the same time invigorating! Right in the sweet spot of being pushed outside your comfort zone enough where you don’t know if you have what it takes to go on this new adventure. But you are already on the adventure.
What made this adventure for me was that I knew that God was right there with me in it all. In the misty foggy road, the unknown, and in the clear blue skies. These words in Isaiah 43 have comforted me whenever I have moved or begun a new adventure.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze - Isaiah 43:2.
What a great comfort that is! In Jesus’ great commission, he calls his disciples. He calls us to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that he has commanded. He finishes off one of the great comforting promises by saying, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
God is with us always, whether in Arncliffe or Dapto or where ever you live, God is with us always. So, move confidently in your new adventures knowing God is walking with you.
Nathan Gray (Next Gen Minister)