what are people hearing about you?

One of the things that we're encouraged as a staff to do at Prairie Lakes is to plan and protect monthly spiritual retreats.  Now, we may not fit one in every month, but it is a great target to shoot for, and wonderful that we've made it a part of our culture.

So I'm taking mine this afternoon.  As I write this, actually.  I'm camping out at the Hy-Vee on Logan Ave. - kind of a natural gathering point for people in my neighborhood.  

Prayerfully, I gave God the freedom to speak to me.  As I opened up my YouVersion reading plan, I'm in Colossians 1.  I want to read to you one of the first things Paul says there:

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people—5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you.

He's thanking God for what he's heard about the church in Colossae.  And what has he heard?  Well, first, about their faith in Jesus, expressed in how they are loving God's people in their community.  And second, he's heard about the faith and love that spring up from the hope they have in the gospel.

That's what he's hearing about them. That's what this church is known for: their faith in Jesus, which is inspiring a renewed sense of hope in his gospel, which is being expressed in love for people.

Not their cool worship.  Not their relevant programs.  Not their growing attendance.  Not their building.  Their faith, hope, and love.

Man, that's convicting.  And inspiring.  I want a faith like that.  I want a faith that people are hearing about, and hearing about for the right reasons.  I want a faith that is inspiring a new hope in Jesus' gospel as I see it change me.  I want a faith that is filling me with a renewed desire to love God's people, present and yet-to-be.

And I want to be part of a church that is known for that.  I want this community to be hearing about our faith, hope, and love for the people of God.

UPDATE:

So, in between me finishing that last sentence, and writing this one, here's what has happened at the Logan Ave. Hy-Vee.  While I was working on this post, I overheard a woman at the table next to me on the phone, mentioning to someone to pray really hard for something.  So, I mustered up some courage, walked over there, and asked her if I could pray for what she was praying for.

As it turns out,

she goes to Prairie Lakes,

Been to both campuses,

works at Hoover,

was praying for her daughter,

who walked up 3 minutes into our conversation,

and we prayed together.

Faith, hope, and love.  You just can't go wrong.  Put it into action today.  You will not be disappointed.

Comments

[Abby]

Very, very cool story.

[Renee]

God always actively working - all we need to do is be open and aware. Love it.

[John]

Wow!