Called to Something Fresh
Have you ever heard the term foodie? Maybe the word describes you! The term refers to anyone who is both particular and passionate about his or her culinary selections.
Many foodies will go to extremes by driving dozens (and even hundreds!) of miles to visit a specific restaurant for a single item on the menu. Some foodies will order their spices from boutique shops and refuse to purchase their meats or vegetables from anywhere but a specific store. Every foodie is unique, but they all share a love for a great meal.
But what happens when a foodie decides to feed those in the local community?
Something amazing!
Michael Blewett, a pastor in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has decided he doesn't want to leave his passion for food at home and instead brings it right into the church and local community. One Wednesdays, the church opens its doors to those who are hungry. They serve everyone from bankers to bums, from the highfalutin to the homeless. But don't expect mystery casserole or save-the-scraps soup. Instead, Michael and his volunteers serve home-cooked, made from scratch, gourmet-style meals to the community. hey serve a wide range of fresh, colorful dishes including finely chopped vegetables, high-end chili, grilled meats, and tasty stews.
Those who attend a meal don't stand in a traditional buffet line, but rather order from a menu. Michael says it isn't unusual for those who are homeless in the community to call on Tuesday night to find out what's going to be on the menu the next day. And the regulars know to get there early, because the most popular items always run out fast.
The experience is enriching for everyone involved. Everyone from the community is welcome, so the meals provides an opportunity for those with resources and those without to build friendships. Each person who attends is fed both physically and spiritually.
Michael and the church didn't set out to do something new and different simply for the sake of being new or different. They saw a need and used their unique passions, gifts, and tales to create a new twist on serving those in the community.
Their story reminds us that sometimes God uses us and the community we're in to do something new to share the love of Christ with others. Indeed, God uses people in all kinds of innovative ways to spread His love and bring Him glory. God loves to work through us.
But sometimes the new thing God is doing is within us. Through the Holy Spirit, God may work in our lives in such a way that we see Him, others, or even ourselves in a fresh way. One of the most exciting things about being a child of God is that God is always up to something new.
1. Does the idea of innovation or trying something new tend to invigorate you or make you nervous? Mark your answer on the continuum below. Explain your response.
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Innovation makes me nervous Innovation invigorates me
2. Describe a time that you've been part of a ministry, outreach, small group, or church that tried something or new to spread the love of Christ to others. What did you discover about yourself and others through the experience?
Sometimes stepping out in faith to be part of something new that God is doing stretches us beyond our comfort zones. This was particularly true for Moses. While tending the flock of his father-in-law, Moses came upon a fiery bush that refused to burn up. Intrigued by the marvelous sight, Moses turned aside. When he did, God called to him from the midst of the bush.
While shepherding was a common profession in the ancient Near East, one can't miss the double meaning in Moses' job. He not only shepherded sheep but would become the shepherd for God's people as he led them out of Egypt and into the promised land.
3. Read Exodus 3:1-10. What new things did God want to do for the Israelites through Moses?
From the fiery bush, God told Moses to remove his sandals. This practice of reverence was an ancient Near Eastern practice still used today.
4. Read Exodus 3:11-15 and Exodus 4:1-17. In the chart below, note each of Moses' concerns and how God responded to each one.
Scripture Moses' Concern God's Response
Exodus 3:11, 12
Exodus 3:13-15
Exodus 4:1-9
Exodus 4:10-12
Exodus 4:13-17
How do you think you would have responded to God if you were Moses?
God's response to Moses revealed His ways are often much different than our own. Despite our protests that something won't work or somehow we're not qualified, if God calls us to do something new He will provide a way.
5. Whom do you know that's doing something new or innovative to spread he love of Jesus to others? What inspires you most about his or her work? How can you be a voice of encouragement and support in this person's life?
Moses' reluctant leadership displayed God's greatness. Through an unlikely shepherd, God saved an entire nation. The glory can be given to God alone.
6. In what area of your life do you sense the Holy Spirit nudging you to step out and try something new, or even new-to-you, in order to spread the love of Christ? What's stopping you from responding?
Not only does God do new things through us but He also does new things within us. God is steadily renewing us- or making us new- as we yield to Him in our lives.
The apostle Paul wrote two letters to the church in Corinth. The letter that modern Bibles call 2 Corinthians addressed the purity of God's people. Paul described the restoration of God's people as reflective of the greater restoration of creation brought through Jesus.
7. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. What new work is done within us when we choose to give our lives to Christ?
8. How did you experience this passage tor be true in our life when you first gave your life to Christ? How have you experienced this passage to be true on an ongoing basis?
God is in the business of making all things new. Sometimes God uses the community that we're in to do something new to share the love of Christ with others. Other times God wants to do something new within us. Both can make us more Christ-like.
Digging Deeper
Because of their disobedience to God, the Israelites found themselves in captivity in a foreign nation. During this time, the book of Lamentations was penned. Read Lamentations 3:19-23. When are you most tempted to begin doubting the loving kindness and compassion of God? How have you found this passage to be true in your life? How does this passage give you hope?
Next week: a time for necessary endings!
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