As we wrap up our fall classes, I am reminded of God's tender mercies that are new every morning, of His faithfulness in every season. In the seven months since our classes began, we've had the privilege of walking with families and individuals as they achieved milestones and made steady progress in their learning.
Moses, on the cusp of the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the desert, reminded the people of all that God had done and promised to do for them. Why did God choose this people group of all others on earth? Was it because they were smarter, more numerous, more righteous, more powerful? No, no, no, no! In fact, the Israelites were the fewest of all peoples, and they were rather "stiff-necked" (Moses' words, not mine!)
"The Lord did not set His affections on you and choose you because you were more numerous....but it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery...." (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) The Lord's love and faithfulness to His promises brought the Israelites into the land overflowing with milk and honey.
The Lord's love and faithfulness. If anything good has come out of the work of Emerging FIELD, it is because of the Lord's goodness and strength, not human effort or ability. As I look back on our journey from the spring, through summer and fall, my heart overflows with thanksgiving to God for His blessings and continued guidance. "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1). May that be a constant for Emerging FIELD as we move forward into a new year.
Moses, on the cusp of the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the desert, reminded the people of all that God had done and promised to do for them. Why did God choose this people group of all others on earth? Was it because they were smarter, more numerous, more righteous, more powerful? No, no, no, no! In fact, the Israelites were the fewest of all peoples, and they were rather "stiff-necked" (Moses' words, not mine!)
"The Lord did not set His affections on you and choose you because you were more numerous....but it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery...." (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) The Lord's love and faithfulness to His promises brought the Israelites into the land overflowing with milk and honey.
The Lord's love and faithfulness. If anything good has come out of the work of Emerging FIELD, it is because of the Lord's goodness and strength, not human effort or ability. As I look back on our journey from the spring, through summer and fall, my heart overflows with thanksgiving to God for His blessings and continued guidance. "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1). May that be a constant for Emerging FIELD as we move forward into a new year.