a group, a gig, and a give…

As you do life with Westpoint, we want to encourage you to consider the 3 G’s. We think these three things will serve you well, and will make Westpoint a healthier church family. So, consider what would happen in your life if you committed to each of the following…

A group. Doing life together. You need to experience life. That experience is done best when it’s done with others. Others who are on this journey of discovery. People you can hang out with, study Scripture with, pray with, and serve with. Once you become part of a group like this, you will see transformation take place in your life.

A gig. Using your talents to make what we do better. Even though we’re a pretty simple operation, there are many pieces that come together to make us go. Many of the pieces are not difficult (and may even seem simple), but they are all crucial to the life of Westpoint. Some of the areas where people serve are…

compassKids

set up for the Worship Gathering

welcome table

providing refreshments on Sunday mornings

and more

We always need people willing to join in and pull things together. People who are willing to own their role in their area. The main thing with a gig is this…you are helping move a part of this ministry forward. When you show up and give the best of yourself to your area of service, everything is made better.

A give. Giving yourself away to a cause that it important to you. Doing life with others is wonderful. Serving in a ministry of the church is, too. But all that doesn’t matter if you aren’t finding ways to give the best of yourself away to the world around you. Find something you are passionate about, and find a way to give. Give your time. Give your money. Give your energy. Share the story of God’s love by taking that love to those who are hurting. Once you do this, you will never be the same.

what if God asked me to do that?

This past Sunday we walked through Genesis 22. This particular chapter of the bible contains the story of God asking a father to kill his son. Wow, to even write those word is shocking to me. God told a man by the name of Abraham to kill his son Isaac. Now, bear in mind that Abraham only has two sons, and he recently sent one of them away. So, the one son still living in the house is now to be sacrificed. What is God asking? Why is God asking?

God tested Abraham. I’m sorry, stop the movie. I’m confused. God tests Abraham? Isn’t Abraham the one whom God destined for greatness? Isn’t Abraham in line to receive all the glory of God’s promises? If that’s the case, why would God need to test him? Hasn’t this guy already passed the test?

And while we’re on the subject of testing, is God allowed to do this? Isn’t He supposed to love and care for His children? Isn’t He supposed to keep tests and difficulties out of our lives? My picture of God as a kindly old grandfatherly sort is being stretched in ways I’m not comfortable with.

Perhaps God tested Abraham because there was something He needed to see. The question I have is…”Would things have turned out differently for Abraham if he had failed this test?” I think the answer is yes. God was moved by Abraham’s trust. And because of that God lets Abraham know that he will indeed be blessed in ways he could never imagine.

So, what’s going on here? Perhaps we see a relationship forming between God and man. God, who holds all things in hands, gives Abraham a glimpse of how things can be. And things can be great! And the one thing God asks of Abraham is to surrender. Trust. Obey. Even when the circumstances seem outlandish.

So, does God respond differently when I surrender? Does He “show up” in my life when my faith is completely resting in Him? Am I going to see more of His activity in my life when I trust Him more? That’s what happened then. Why can’t it happen now?