Summer time is a time when many of us take journeys. We may journey to visit family, to a favorite vacation spot or to some place we’ve never been. I enjoy all these kinds of journeys, but I find journeying to a new place especially fulfilling even if I do occasionally get lost along the way. While I don’t plan these little “side trips,” they sometimes lead to new discoveries that can enhance the journey.

In the same way, the Christian life is a journey. Our destination is not a place, but a person—Jesus Christ. Everyone on the journey is in a different place. There are some who have yet to get on the road. Jesus is reaching out to invite them to join the journey even though they may be unaware of it. This is what John Wesley called prevenient grace. Others are at the very beginning of the journey. They aren’t too sure about the destination or if they even want to leave the driveway, but they are open to explore the possibilities. Some have come to believe in Jesus and are beginning to get to know him. Others are letting Jesus guide them on the way and are growing in the journey. Some have journeyed close to Christ and come to depend on him for daily guidance. Others are closing in on our destination and living Christ centered lives.

We each need to ask ourselves if we are moving forward on this journey of faith. We should be asking ourselves on a regular basis: Where am I on the journey? Am I more spiritually mature today than I was last year? Am I stuck on the side of the road and need to get growing again? What is my next step?

Leaders at Aldersgate have been working on developing a map that we can use to determine where we are on this journey and give us ideas about possible next steps we can take. We hope to be able to introduce it to you this fall. So watch for it, pray for us as we continue this important work, and journey with us in Christ.

May God bless you on the journey,