A Winding Path Still Goes Somewhere

We often imagine God's call as a straight road from vision to fulfillment. In reality, it is usually a winding pilgrimage. We might mistake preparation for delay. Or interpret closed doors as failure. We might convince ourselves we must have heard wrong when we see time slipping away. We might think that God has changed His mind when, more often than not, He is simply shaping ours.

Next week, I am going on a six-week unpaid leave of absence from church to focus on Enhance Global Impact (EGI) ministry. Colleen and I established this social enterprise three years ago that seeks to enhance faith-based organisations, churches and communities and help them have a greater impact on their world. We have a wonderful growing team too! Find out more here.

But EGI actually began more than twenty years ago, when God quietly planted an idea in two ordinary people who had no idea how long the journey would be. We would bring it out periodically, only to put it away again when God led us on a very different tangent. 

The Enhance concept eventually emerged as a tangible entity, but it could only do so because of the journey it took to get there. Through every unexpected turn, God was quietly forming us into the kind of people who could faithfully carry it.   

Perhaps that's what He is doing in your life too.

Your calling may not unfold the way you expected. It may take years. It may even disappear for a season. It may not even be clear! But, if you continue following Jesus where you are today, being faithful with what is in front of you, one day you will look back and discover that none of it was wasted.  

God's calling is rarely linear. But it is always faithful. And the fact is this, whether we have a clear call or not, what is clear is that we are all called to follow Jesus and live like him in a chaotic world that needs hope, wherever we find ourselves doing that.

In August, I’ll be travelling to Zambia and Rwanda for three weeks, then engaged in another project in New Zealand immediately afterward. I’d appreciate your prayers for me, Colleen and the family over the coming weeks. 

Adam