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The Journey | 10.4.26 – 10.9.26
Longevity seems to me to be a word of the past, one that seldom defines our lives today. It used to be that a person would take a job, work at the same place for thirty, forty, or fifty years, get their gold watch, and retire. In today’s workplace of acquisitions, mergers, layoffs, and the desire for more responsibility and income, working for the same company for many years rarely happens. I would guess many of you have experienced at least one of these events in your career or family.
At one time, I was “on mission” to stay until I retired at the company I loved, with people I enjoyed, in a job that challenged me. At year ten of my tenure, my tidy plan became irrelevant. The company was purchased, offices were closed, and positions were eliminated, including mine. It was an extremely difficult time in my life, and it caused me to reevaluate everything in my professional life and my personal values. It was emotional and scary, and I often felt alone and embarrassed. The biggest lesson I learned was not to put my hopes for longevity in this world, but to focus more on the things God deems important. I needed a new mission, one that could be accomplished with others.
Jesus gives us a clear mission and prays for us to be one so that the world will believe. He doesn’t expect us to accomplish his mission individually. So how do we achieve the unity Jesus calls us to? I believe longevity with other believers is key.
What makes people want to stay? For me, it is all about people. One definition of love is “a great interest or pleasure in something.” I love, truly love, the people of Heartland. I get so much joy looking through the atrium on a Sunday morning and seeing conversations, smiles, children running joyfully, and occasionally prayers and tears. Honestly, I don’t know most of them. But Jesus’ love and prayer for us help us care for those we don’t know, and I think caring is the beginning of unity.
On a deeper level, over the almost thirty years I have been attending Heartland, I have had the joy of getting to know so many different people at all stages of life. So how did that happen? Longevity has certainly been a big part. Staying gave me opportunities to get to know more people, and knowing more people helped me feel that I belonged and made me want to stay. The people I met allowed me to experience all the good that comes from sticking around. Over the years, I have participated in courses, Bible studies, small groups, and dinners, and I have volunteered in several different areas of our church. Through all of these, I got to know people. I got to hear their stories, their joys, and their burdens. I got to pray with them and for them, as they prayed for me.
Staying was not always easy. There were times, especially during COVID and our numerous leadership transitions, when I questioned whether Heartland was the right place. I prayed often about leaving, but I felt strongly that God was telling me to stay, so I have tried hard to follow his leading. I am far from perfect. I don’t automatically love everyone, and I am sure no one automatically loves me. First impressions can be tough, and loving someone doesn’t mean you have to be their best friend or think the same way all the time. I know we sometimes have big differences, whether political, theological, or simply in personality, and I recognize that others may feel the same way about me. Still, I have found that by getting to know people, I can love them despite our differences.
What we do have in common is what draws us together and keeps us together. We all face challenges in work, health, finances, relationships, and societal pressures. We also have successes and joys to celebrate together. When we get to know each other, which can take a long time, we can find unity. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Dan described this as “uncommon community and unstoppable love.” This is what Jesus prayed for us and what Paul encourages us to do. I am so grateful to be able to stay on Jesus’ mission at Heartland with people I love, and I pray the same for you.
By Denise Perkins
Monday, October 5
John 17:20 is one of my all-time favorite verses. It brings me joy, comfort, and closeness to Jesus all in one phrase. Jesus says, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” Jesus prayed for me; I am a believer because of the message of those who believed before me. In the previous verses, Jesus was praying for his disciples and their message. But Jesus was not just praying for them. In AWE, I have to repeat it JESUS, the Son of God, prayed for you and for me.
Apply: Finding joy in those words strengthens my faith and, hopefully, yours, too, as you think about these verses. The passage also reminds me of those in my life who helped me to believe. Of course, all those who wrote the messages of Jesus in the Bible, but also my parents, my grandmother, numerous pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, and friends. This week might be a good time to reflect on those who helped you believe or are helping you now as you seek Jesus. It could be the time to see how sharing your faith might help someone else find Jesus.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for praying for me and for all of us. Thank you for how loved your words make me feel. Thank you for all those believers you have placed in my life. Help me to share my faith so that others may believe.
Tuesday, October 6
In this short chapter David tells us of the importance God places on the unity of his people with the imagery of pouring oil. Oil was considered a high value luxury item in Old Testament times. In the second book of the Bible, Exodus, God gave Moses a recipe for a holy anointing oil to be used to consecrate (dedicate) holy things. Both the old and new testaments place high value on the use of oil and the expense of doing so.
Apply: While today I would not pour oil over the head of my dear friends or anyone really, these verses remind us friendships and unity in Christ are of high value to God. I will try with God’s help to place the same level of care and consideration to all of God’s people. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Prayer: God, please help me to remember to care and pray for others and bring unity among your followers when I am present. Forgive me when I let self-importance override your values. Help me to love and care as you would. Thank you for your many blessings when we seek to live in unity with one another.
Wednesday, October 7
Followers of Jesus can see the world and issues today through different lenses politically, socially, and spiritually. These verses encourage us to be humble and patient with one another, remembering God who is over us all.
Apply: Being humble can be difficult, especially if you are like me and often think you are right. Learning to listen more, being more patient, and leaning on the Holy Spirit through prayer to bring peace and unity has helped me to learn to love more.
Pray: Lord help me to be humble even when it’s not my first choice. Please give me a spirit of peace and love. Help me to remember each day the life to which we are called to in Jesus, that I may be a person of peace and unity. Thank you for the example of Jesus’ love and humility.
Thursday, October 8
Forgiveness may be one of the hardest things we have to do as God’s people. It takes compassion, kindness and often a big dose of humility. Have you ever had someone in your life you struggled to forgive? I know I have, and as I prayed about the whole situation God just kept bringing it back to me and my heart. My prayer became less about what I should do, what the other person should have done or not done, and more about God changing my heart.
Apply: I have to remember the unwavering forgiveness God has given me and let that lead my way. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to let God’s love lead the way in your interactions?
Pray: Lord help me to forgive as you have forgiven me. Lead me to look past my grievances with humility and kindness. Help me to lead a life of love and unity. Thank you for your overwhelming love that covers me in all things.
Friday, October 9
These verses tell us that even though we may be doing all the right “church things”, resolving disagreements is the first priority. Wow, that sounds hard to me. I don’t really know anyone that loves conflict resolution and most of us would choose anything over facing up to it. However, this is what Jesus tells us to do.
Apply: This week, have a conversation that can repair hurts, make an apology, or extend grace to someone. If there is someone in your life you need to reconcile with, make it a priority to follow through.
Pray: Lord, you have asked us to do some hard things. Help us as we work towards reconciliation. Gives us the right heart and words. Thank you that you are with us every step of the way and we can count on you. Thank you for your love and forgiveness and that through Jesus we can be reconciled to you.
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