Driving Through Life Together
Pause for a moment and think about your car. What do you think is the most critical thing in your car? Is it the steering wheel? The brakes? Is it the seat belts and airbags? Is it the GPS, the radio, the cup or phone holder, drivers license or insurance?
I bet the first thing that came to your mind is something you regularly use, or something you forgot and paid the price. But when we think critically, we will realize that a car is made for one purpose – motion. The purpose of a car is to move people and things from one point to another. There are critical components in the car that enable the achievement of this goal. Most other components assume that the car is already achieving its primary purpose and add comfort, safety, efficiency and leisure.
What, then, are the critical components of any car? Well, the first is the engine. The car engine is tasked with converting fuel into energy. Without an engine there is no car. But even the engine does not work alone. It needs fuel (or electricity). Without fuel to burn, no matter how good an engine is, there will be no motion. However, even with a good engine and fuel, the car will sit idle, unable to move, unless it has wheels! The wheels are what make it possible for a car to actually go from point A to point B. But all these critical components are useless without a driver. The driver turns random motion into focused, intentional and effective movement. Every car needs an engine, fuel, wheels and a driver.
Imagine your Life Group is a car. The fuel is what you take in either through the Bible study, sermons, book studies or sharing life stories. This fuel feeds your soul and without it, you will not grow. We all know that fuel runs out. Your Life Group will encounter situations that will consume the fuel in your tanks. That is why you have to meet regularly as a Family to top up your spiritual, relational and emotional tanks.
But fuel must be converted to energy. This is where the engine comes in. The engine represents discipleship. It is where the word of God seeps into the crevices of our lives, firing us up and recharging our souls for the life of faith. There are life giving conversations to have, questions to ponder, and decisions to make and changes to embrace. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts, challenging, converting and producing life transformation. The Spirit guides us into all the truth, teaches us all things and reminds us of that Christ taught.
Unfortunately, many of us stop here. We get excited about all the things we are learning but don’t do anything about it. Our engines are burning fuel but running idle in the garage. But remember. Like our cars, we are created, and called to live to move. To move spiritually, relationally, and missionally. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are commanded to, as we are going, make disciples. We are expected to move! The wheels represent living on mission. It is where we go to the places where we live, work and play and share the news of all that God has done for us in Christ. This is not something we should do. It is something we must do. Not moving is living for less that we were created for. It’s like a great car that never leaves the showroom.
But moving is not enough. Our movement must be intentional and focused. It must be directed and guided by a driver. The driver is Jesus Christ, who is “the head of the body, the church…” (Col 1:18). Christ gives us the pattern of life to follow. He who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) calls us to love God and love our neighbors. He has not only saved us from sin and death, but He is also the Lord of our lives such that in Him we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
What is the condition of your group? What dashboard lights are flashing? Do you need to top up your tank because you are on the verge of empty? How is your engine performing? Is your check engine light flashing? Do you need to think about your spiritual disciplines? Do you need to be more intentional about your conversations and challenge each other to grow? What about your wheels? Are you moving or are you idling in the garage? Is your tire pressure good or are your wheels flat? Because if they are you won’t move. What about the driver? Is Christ still at the center of your gathering or has something else taken center stage?
Covid-19 has been tough on everyone. But it has also offered us the opportunity to see the true state of our lives and our groups. This is the time to reflect on the health of your group. If you aren’t in a Life group could this be the time to become part of one? This is the time to prayerfully discern how Christ is calling you to live as a Family of Disciples on Mission.
Jerry Rawlings | Fearless Groups
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