Willow Creek Main Floor West, Sections 106b, 106f, and 107 at 9:00

Willow Creek Main Floor West, Sections 106b, 106f, and 107 at 9:00 An Acts 2 community -Celebrating our differences and what we have in common, through meeting together over food, coffee and serving together

06/17/2023

Saturday, June 17, 2023
America’s Unsung Heroes

LISTEN
“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. ”

—Ezekiel 22:30

06/07/2023

Wide > Narrow > Wide
Matthew 7:12-14 | Matthew 7:12-14 Audio
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:12-14

This year marks my third summer living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at Willow Creek’s Camp Paradise. As the Camp Pastor of Dads Camp, I get a front-row seat watching fathers and kids experience life to the full in a remote one-on-one retreat setting. Since 1991, we’ve provided space for 15,000+ dads to unplug and reset, to recharge with God, their child, and other fathers spiritually and relationally. What’s amazing is the number of times I hear dads say, “I wasn’t sure about this, but now it’s blocked on my calendar every year. Now I tell every dad I know about it!”

I promise today’s devotional isn’t a plug for Dads Camp. It’s just an obvious parallel to Jesus’ wrap-up for the Sermon on the Mount. Masses on the hillside listened intently as Christ reframed God’s truth and its application. People either bucked at or believed the new rabbi’s teachings, but everyone tracked with Him spiritually and practically. Jesus cast a wide net about the kind of living that’s best, and the crowd wanted more. Then in Matthew 7:12-14, He clarifies that His message won’t be found or received by everyone. That is, not everyone will unplug and reset from the world to live as citizens of the kingdom of God.

The only way to Camp Paradise is on a narrow road, but once you get there, the boundaries widen toward endless exploration and enjoyment. At Dads Camp, fathers show up needing to hear the Golden Rule, but it quickly moves on from “treat each other as you want to be treated” to “let’s grow in loving God and others as we follow Jesus together.” Not everyone will respond favorably to the second act, but for those that do, there’s so much freedom, joy, and life to be had at camp and at home.

Jesus’ ever-growing gathering on the Mount of Olives, and Camp Paradise’s constant influx of new campers, have something in common: participants have no idea they’re on a destructive path until someone points it out. The “wide way” is being caught up in the crowd. The “narrow way” is locking in on God’s best and never turning back. When we do the latter, we get to experience an ever-widening life that only the Lord can give and guide. “Wide > Narrow > Wide” is Jesus’ invitation to join Him together moment by moment, day by day, forever.
Next Steps
What’s your “Wide > Narrow > Wide” experience in relationship with Jesus? How have you started experiencing life to the full on the other side of trusting Christ, and who does God want you to tell?
Going Deeper
Grab that printout again or your Bible. Today, mark any transition phases you see in the text and then take a few moments to summarize the chapter in just a few sentences.
Written by: Dan Lovaglia, Camp Pastor, Camp Paradise

06/06/2023

Blind Spots
Matthew 7:3-5 | Matthew 7:3-5 Audio
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:3-5

I have been married for a long time, and I would give my least eloquent prayer some credit for it. The prayer goes like this, "Please give a kick in the head to whichever one of us needs it." I know it sounds unholy, but at least it is genuine. Just getting those words out settles me when I am mad and defensive. It changes my perspective because it allows for the possibility of being wrong. Most times, despite my wording, one of us will get a nudge from the Holy Spirit. Then, whoever needs to, owns their misstep and apologizes. Usually, the other will do the same.

Frequently, we focus on other people's flaws while being blind to our own. We are quick to judge and criticize others but slow to examine ourselves. We are reluctant because we feel defensive about our failings, as though owning them means we are unworthy of love or respect.

Jesus' advice was to take the plank out of our eyes before trying to change anyone else. It is counterintuitive that freedom from shame and guilt comes through bringing our faults out in the open. However, when we examine our shortcomings and ask God to change us, we can remove the things which undermine our relationships. Embracing our need for forgiveness frees us to love ourselves, and it becomes easier to accept others as they are too. When we no longer have a polished image to protect, it leaves room for God's light to shine through us. People are more receptive to hearing our concerns from that place of humility.

Anyone can be hypocritical occasionally, but people who habitually put on a façade of holiness are called hypocrites. Jesus reprimanded hypocritical religious leaders for their insincerity and hard-heartedness. They often kept spiritual practices out of vanity, not devotion. They appeared righteous but were greedy and self-indulgent. They claimed to honor God but tried to undermine Jesus. The hypocritical religious leaders stressed the details of keeping the law, often missing its purpose. For this reason, they led many people astray.

Throughout the book of Matthew, Jesus warns us to be wary of hypocritical people. Doing so requires discernment, which differs from judgment. It neither comes from a place of superiority nor determines worth. It does not try to fix people. Instead, it keeps us from being led astray.

We all have blind spots. If we own them when they are revealed and ask God for help changing them, we will feel whole in a way that we cannot find by hiding under a façade of perfection.
Next Steps
How hard is it for you to recognize and admit your failings to God and others?
Can you think of an ongoing plank/speck situation? If not, ask someone close to you what your blind spots are. Then, spend some time processing them in prayer.
Going Deeper
Grab your printout if you did that yesterday or your Bible and mark all the repeated words and note contrasts, like in verse 6, in the chapter.
Written by: Laurie Buffo, Volunteer Writer, South Barrington

05/24/2023

It's Not About You
Mark 8:34-36 | Mark 8:34-36 Audio
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Mark 8:34-36

“It’s not about you.” When is the last time you let these four words adjust your perspective and posture about work?

Personally, I don’t like being reminded of this truth. The way I see it, my work is my responsibility, the good or bad results are mine to deal with too, and it’s my name on my paycheck every two weeks. I know I reap what I sow, even if I don’t make things grow. So, my choice is simple: slack off and suffer the consequences or get after it and celebrate all I’ve accomplished. Sound familiar?

What’s described above is a common mindset about work. Framed this way puts a whole lot of “me” in the equation and reflects how many workers feel day to day. When someone interjects, “It’s not about you,” that’s the perfect opportunity to look beyond ourselves to who God is, what He’s done and will do, and how He invites us to be by His side at work in the world.

Jesus’ defining statements and question in Mark 8:34-36 show up just after He course-corrects Peter. In one breath, Peter reveals Jesus as the Christ. In the next, he rebukes the Lord for talking about His impending death. Jesus ultimately tells him, “It’s not about you,” and then instructs all followers to focus the entirety of their being on God, not their own existence. We areto deny ourselves, hold our lives with open hands, and let our souls get swept up in Christ and the gospel for ultimate meaning and lasting purpose. When it comes to work, honoring God is what matters most in whatever we put our hand and heart towards.

Today, by God’s grace, you and I can practice a theology of work that transforms people’s lives and the world. Doing this faithfully requires a lot more attention and redirection than I (and likely you) think we need. “It’s not about you” is a timely reminder for anyone that’s serious about the Lord’s invitation to work with Him side-by-side.
Next Steps
Volunteering is a great way to focus on God and others. Explore a serving opportunity at the campus you attend, near your home, or around the world here.
Being generous with God-given resources helps shift human hearts toward eternal realities. Find an impactful way to give here.
Written by: Dan Lovaglia, Camp Pastor, Camp Paradise

05/23/2023

Serving Nine to Five
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 | Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 Audio
A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Work has a bad rap. We grudgingly put in our time so that we can collect at the end of the week or month. The prize is all the rewards our consumer economy has to sell us. Some people consider their jobs to be chores, something to be endured in order to pay the bills. But God designed work to be a fulfilling aspect of life, and He will help us find satisfaction in it if we let Him.

Scripture challenges followers of Christ to raise the bar in their work, not lower the curve. It’s called serving, or some may call It servant leadership—it does not come naturally. We are born bent in the opposite direction. Instead of having a fine-tuned radar directed outward toward other people’s needs, we are usually focused on taking care of ourselves. Then along came Jesus—the One who cast aside what was good for Himself and acted upon what was good for us. He broke the hold that self-centeredness has on all of us. Until I learn and embrace that it is not all about me, I will never enjoy the deep fulfillment and pure goodness of work where I am asked by Jesus to serve others—especially the one I can’t even comprehend serving. When I am the constant center of the universe, my world of work will always come down to a boring, empty perseverance instead of being the role model as Christ’s ambassador.

One of my favorite authors from bygone years was Barbara Johnson. She authored one of the funniest books, “Fresh Elastic for Stretched Out Moms.” When elastic gets overstretched, it no longer holds things in place.

We all need “fresh elastic” these days, and Jesus offers it by helping us change our perspective. How we look at life can determine where we will find joy in our busy workdays. Joy doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t have to make millions of dollars to buy joy. Joy is found in thoughtfulness. Joy is found in caring. Joy is found in saying, “Thank You, God” for life and the work You have given into my hands.

Is joy missing from your work life as you carry out your responsibilities? Consider that God is in the business of heart change—ask Him to partner with you to change your perspective and see beyond the worldly provision to experience it as the joy of serving.
Next Steps
You don’t have to drag yourself back to the office for another day—ask Jesus to help you to experience your work as a “service offering” to the world God created.

Work can either be something that shrinks us down to an even more self-centered existence, or it can open us up to the larger world around us. Every job offers people of faith a stage to model servanthood.
Who is the one person you need to bring joy to this week?
Who is the one person you need to pray for?
Who is the one person you find most difficult to serve? Do it anyway and see the miracles God can work in your life.
Written by: Kathryn Tack, Volunteer Writer, South Barrington

05/22/2023

The Good Life
Psalm 127:1-2 | Psalm 127:1-2 (NLT) Audio
Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 127:1-2 (NLT)

When we get honest, sometimes going through the motions at work can feel futile. When we get existential, sometimes work can even feel meaningless. But what if the very life we’re living now and the very work we’re doing is actually more meaningful than we could imagine? What if the “good life” isn’t waiting for us on the other side of some career goal or escape from reality? What if the good life is available to us here and now, even in the everyday?

Psalm 127:1 has a grander invitation for us to consider how we work and how we see our work: “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” There is a futility to work if we don’t look for what God is up to in our work. When we open our minds to what God might have for us and others in our work and dedicate our work to Him, the opportunities are endless.

Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” As Christians, the fullness of life that Jesus offers is not offered apart from our work. In fact, it’s precisely in our everyday lives, including our working—our emailing, our meetings, our laundry-folding—where God wants to show up and offer us the fullness of life with Him.

All it takes is a posture shift. Instead of entering work anticipating monotony, what if we showed up at our places of work expectant and excited for what God might do that day? What if we prayed for God to use us at our jobs for the higher work that He’s calling us to—whether it’s praying for each person we email as we hit send or taking on a pro-bono case for someone in need?

I think that when we start to make these shifts, we will see that work is no longer meaningless. Not only will we notice the work that God wants to do through us, but we may also be surprised to see the deeper work that God is doing in us as He shapes us to become more and more like Jesus. That, my friends, is the good life.
Next Steps
What’s your attitude towards work like lately?
What might God be speaking to you about your work? How might you experience the fullness of life Jesus offers even at work?
Written by: Cass Curry, Central Groups Strategy Pastor, South Barrington

05/19/2023

Be a Blessing
Luke 14:12-14, Proverbs 19:17, Luke 19:8-10 |
Luke 14:12-14, Proverbs 19:17, Luke 19:8-10 Audio
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:12-14

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:8-10

When signing off from her morning message and prayer, Robin Roberts says, “Have a blessed day, and be a blessing.” When she says this, it reminds me that the power of Jesus will put me in the right situations to bless the lives of others. It also provides hope that Jesus will place someone in my path to deliver a blessing when I need it most. At this moment, I feel that the day ahead of me is magical with limitless possibilities.

In Luke 14:12-14, Jesus explains to the dinner hosts and guests that it’s a blessing to entertain family and friends who can repay you for your generosity, but the true blessing is to invite those who may not be able to repay the effort in any way. This is considered righteous and rewarded in Heaven. God sent His son to show us what living with a kind and generous heart looks like. He also shows us that he will put people in the right place at the right time to help us when we are in need. Jesus lives out his words in Luke 19, where Jesus dines with a sinner.

In Jesus’ day, tax collectors were considered sinners above sinners due to their corruption and taking advantage of others to line their own pockets. Zacchaeus, a tax collector, hears Jesus is coming to town and climbs a tree to get a better look at the Messiah. When Jesus notices him, he asks Zacchaeus to invite him to his house, which Zacchaeus gladly obliges. The people were shocked and muttered their dismay amongst themselves. Why would Jesus choose him to spend time with? He is a sinner and a corrupt man! Jesus’ compassion toward Zacchaeus changed him wholeheartedly, and he promised to pay back all the people he cheated and give away half his belongings to the poor. Zacchaeus changed his ways forever.

One meal, one conversation, one person showing compassion to another, radically changed not only Zacchaeus' life, but the lives he impacted, past and present. How powerful a moment can be!

Do you remember a time when you were in the right place at the right time to provide a blessing to someone in need? Or do you remember when the roles were reversed and someone blessed you in a way that you knew God’s hand was right there leading the way? Jesus reminds us through this passage that the earthly rewards remain here on Earth, and following Jesus’ heart will bring righteousness and rewards in Heaven.
Next Steps
In God’s Kingdom, all people are created equally. Examine the relationships in your life. Who can you invite to your table, figuratively or literally, to bless and show compassion and kindness as Jesus displayed? How can you be a blessing to others in your life?
Written by: Kristyn Berry, Volunteer Writer, Crystal Lake

05/18/2023

Reverse Your Welcome Mat

John 2:1-3 | John 2:1-3 Audio

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

John 13:14-16



Walk up to most homes, and you’ll find a welcome mat at the foot of the front door. Some have the words “Welcome” in large letters. Others are simply decorative or functional, but the sentiment is the same. A welcome mat paves the way from outside to inside and vice versa. It’s there to transport people across a threshold. But a welcome mat is also a barrier that separates us from them. That is, until an actual welcome is extended and the door is opened.



At our house, we have a decorative and functional welcome mat. No one has ever commented on it (until today). But people don’t need to. They know the character of the family living inside. They know that sometimes our door is wide open to family, friends, and strangers, and to be completely honest, there are also times when no one else is welcome. The Lovaglia family knows that the heart of our home reflects the true hospitality of our hearts. Sometimes we’re selfless about this, and sometimes we’re not. But we’ve discovered over the years that when we reverse our welcome mat in our mind and heart, God opens the door wider for us to serve and be served.



At the famous Last Supper in John 13, Jesus does what He always does—He teaches and leads by example first, paving the way for transformation on both sides of the welcome mat. You don’t have to take Jesus’ foot-washing command literally to live it out in relationships. He calls us to embody a consistent posture of humility and hospitality toward others and one another. When this happens, space is created for mutual servanthood to emerge. A meal shared can turn into a soulful conversation. A wound dressed can result in physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual healing over time. A guest room provided can turn rest into respite, a space where one can finally exhale the pressures and pains of life. It doesn’t matter if we’re knocking to get in or receiving those who enter; we can experience and extend God-honoring hospitality.



The next time you walk out the door, look down. Let the welcome mat remind you that it’s not just an outward statement to guests; it’s an inward reminder of who Christ calls you (and me) to be and become.

Next Steps
What keeps you from being more welcoming? Talk to God and/or a friend about how you would like to live and love people more like Jesus.
Who is someone that has welcomed you with open arms during a messy season of life? Send them a text or give them a call today to express your gratitude for their humility and hospitality.
Written by: Dan Lovaglia, Camp Pastor, Camp Paradise

05/17/2023

Now on DVD, Jesus Revolution is the perfect evangelism tool to get your friends, family, and neighbors talking about the real hope that is offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Get your copy now!

Learn More »

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Think Before You Pray

LISTEN
“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. ”

—Ecclesiastes 5:2

Some people tend to pray broad, generic prayers: “Lord, save the world and bless all the missionaries. Amen.” However, I think it would do a little more for people if we prayed for them by name.

Of course, God knows everything. But when we bring our requests before Him, we should be focused. As the adage says, “If you aim at nothing, you’re bound to hit it.”

In Psalm 5 we see a prayer of David’s that hit the mark. One of the reasons it was effective is that it had a clear focus. David prayed, “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (verse 3 NLT).

The New King James Version translates it this way: “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” In the original language, this depicts the setting in order of pieces of wood on an altar of sacrifice.

Thus, it implies an order, a structure, and a focus in prayer.

David was saying, “Not only am I praying with passion, but I am praying with precision. I am praying with clarity. I am aiming my prayer in a certain direction.”

Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 tells us, “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few” (NLT).

In other words, think about what you will pray.

It’s important to have passion in our prayers. But we also need to think through what we will bring before the throne of God.

Now on DVD, Jesus Revolution is the perfect evangelism tool to get your friends, family, and neighbors talking about the real hope that is offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Get your copy now!

Learn More »

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Think Before You Pray

LISTEN
“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. ”

—Ecclesiastes 5:2

Some people tend to pray broad, generic prayers: “Lord, save the world and bless all the missionaries. Amen.” However, I think it would do a little more for people if we prayed for them by name.

Of course, God knows everything. But when we bring our requests before Him, we should be focused. As the adage says, “If you aim at nothing, you’re bound to hit it.”

In Psalm 5 we see a prayer of David’s that hit the mark. One of the reasons it was effective is that it had a clear focus. David prayed, “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (verse 3 NLT).

The New King James Version translates it this way: “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” In the original language, this depicts the setting in order of pieces of wood on an altar of sacrifice.

Thus, it implies an order, a structure, and a focus in prayer.

David was saying, “Not only am I praying with passion, but I am praying with precision. I am praying with clarity. I am aiming my prayer in a certain direction.”

Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 tells us, “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few” (NLT).

In other words, think about what you will pray.

It’s important to have passion in our prayers. But we also need to think through what we will bring before the throne of God.

05/17/2023

Dirty Baseboards
John 2:1-3 | John 2:1-3 Audio
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
John 2:1-3

I love the story of Jesus’ first miracle where He turned water into wine. Wine is an important part of the Jewish wedding tradition and a symbol of joy in Hebrew culture—so running out would have been humiliating for the couple and their families.

The bride and groom likely had no idea of the effect of inviting Jesus to be part of their day. They couldn’t have known that He would not only demonstrate but also share the joy of Yahweh at their celebration!

I love welcoming and feeding others in my home, and I enjoy putting my personal touch on the decor. One Christmas Eve dinner several years ago, a first-time guest told me, “I can feel the love of Jesus here in your home.” It brought tears and a little God-kiss—the awareness that sharing His love is the heart behind my hospitality.

This new awareness led me to be intentional with the atmosphere in my home. I felt led to dedicate it and everything that took place in it to God. I invited Jesus and Holy Spirit to move right in and bring God’s heart and love. I decided to keep worship music on in my kitchen—it brings me peace and often has my family members singing along as they putter around.

Recently, the night before a special gathering for my Dad’s 80th birthday, our basement flooded. Exhausted, exasperated, frustrated, and wet, I realized that I would not be able to complete the tasks on my to-do list that would have my house in tip-top shape and irritatedly said to my husband, “Well, no one is going to be very impressed with this house….” Knowing my heart, he said, “Since when do you try to impress people with the house?”

I realized that my comment came from my pride—I was so caught up in the condition of my home that I forgot the most important part—Jesus was invited to the gathering! I immediately repented and asked Him to bless my dad and all those coming to the party, praying they would experience His love and God’s presence in my home. In a short while, peace settled within me, and I saw my house not as the one with dirty baseboards but as the one where Jesus lives. And, of course, the next day, His love was felt by all at the party.

Whether it was a shortage of wine or dirty baseboards, Jesus was invited, and joy was experienced!
Next Steps
If you feel led, take the time to invite God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit into your home. Ask them to create an atmosphere where His love can be felt by all who enter. Pray through each room of your house, inviting peace and joy to reign.
Written by: Kerri Ash, Guest Writer, South Barrington

05/16/2023

The Imperfect Backyard
Proverbs 15:16-17 | Proverbs 15:16-17 Audio
Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
Proverbs 15:16-17

I have a confession to make—my backyard is a hot mess. When we bought our house, there were patches of overgrown prairie grass in random places, a deteriorating shed that looks more like a mini-barn (and it’s still there), and buckthorn–lots and lots of invasive buckthorn. Slowly over the years, we’ve made minor improvements—but goodness, there is still so much more to go.

In 2020 when we were in lockdown for what seemed like forever, and the racial tensions escalated to a degree that I don’t think my generation has ever seen, I longed to gather people to repent, lament, and pray. If ever there was a time (and still is) that we needed Jesus to intervene on every level of our lives, it was then.

I stared at my enormous, haphazard, and hot mess of a backyard and knew—we could gather in this place. It’s so large we wouldn’t need to limit the number of people, and we could still socially distance ourselves if that made people feel comfortable. But as I mentioned, there was a problem—it was a hot mess. I had to ask myself: what is more important, participating in thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven in my imperfect and unattractive backyard, or walk away from this spirit-led burning in my heart because the setting is nowhere near my standards?

Today’s Scripture addresses this concept: beauty, wealth, and the abundance of things will never accomplish what the “ugly,” financially strapped, or lack can and will when the fear and love of God are the driving force. If we believe that the perfect God invites us in all our imperfections to be with Him, then we must apply this to all things. Come into my hot mess of a backyard, and we’ll meet Jesus together. If we wait until we have the perfectly landscaped backyard (or anything for that matter), we’ll likely miss the opportunity to participate in the Kingdom work right before us.

I went forward with hosting a prayer meeting in my backyard—and more than one that summer. It wasn’t perfect, and my backyard still needs a lot of work—but beauty sure wasn’t required for that ground to become holy.
Next Steps
Do you tend to shy away from showing up as yourself or using the resources (like your home) you have because you don’t feel like they measure up to the “right” standards? Can I encourage you to try it anyway? Our imperfect sets a beautiful stage for inviting people into the Perfect Presence of Jesus.
Written by: Lindsey Zarob, Content Manager, Next Steps

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