One of the more difficult aspects of our Christian walk is learning how we maintain passion, momentum, and participation within our own contexts. We do this with like-minded individuals. Who are your like-minded faith companions?
I have always liked attending preachers’ luncheons and lectureships. It is a great experience to be a part of a gathering of Christian leaders and hear stories of how others have committed their lives to serving God and others. There is always a lot of hope and encouragement. It is easy to become directionless in life, and we need positive environments to ask questions about our direction.
A contemporary song asks, “Why do I stay where it feels safe when you keep calling me to come out?” This is too often the story of the faith journey of the churches I know. We do this all the time. It is unusual and refreshing to find someone or a group of “someones” who are genuinely missional, risking and caring. Especially in the US church, we like to stay where it feels safe—or at least where it feels known and we assume it is safe—but these places do not always help us grow. They look like pretty places, but in truth they are not environments that nurture life. The death might be slow, but the environment is nonetheless hostile.
Of course, we usually stay. We feel like we are running if we leave. Or that we are selfish to consider what is spiritually healthy for us. Or that we need to strengthen ourselves to learn how to get through adversity. Or that relationships are more important than the fight for what we need in order to survive. Eventually we struggle with the question, “Am I really called to be a light and voice into these places if they are slowly sapping the spiritual life out of me?”
Are you in a healthy place to cultivate your spiritual life and walk with God? Are you blessed with healthy relationships? Can you grow good things where you are, or are you barely struggling to survive? What direction should you go to be faithful to the gifts and calling God has given? It is not really safe to stay somewhere just because it is known and comfortable and expected. We must seek life-sustaining environments. When we seek direction, we need those who will challenge us to work through the hard questions and find the healthy places.