Mrs. Jaenke posted on April 27, 2009 13:09
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; Psalm 25:4
Recently I have had the luxury of a chauffeur to drive me about town. You won't find me in the back seat of a stretch limo but riding shotgun in our van. My chauffeur is not named James but rather Sam. I have officially entered the era of having teenage driver. I found it extremely interesting that for as much as Sam has ridden around town with me he isn't always sure where to go when its his turn to drive. Simple things like making a right turn I now see through different eyes. What is so automatic for me is confusing and unnatural for Sam. Forever the teacher I try and find ways to help him see and understand where he needs to be in the lane or watching for other drivers. He has gotten to be pretty familiar with the driving routines and routes we usually drive. Since I have been able to relax more while he drives I have had much more thinking time.
I kept mulling over how interesting it was that an everyday activity like driving around town was completely foreign to Sam once he was in the driver's seat. That's also the way it is for people just starting on their faith journey. For some folks they may have gone to church as a kid but it was like riding along in the family van. When it comes time to know where to go and what to do, everything seems new and confusing. How do you pray? Why do you pray? When do you pray? Where do I begin to look in the Bible? What Bible should I get? What does God say about certain things? Why does He say that? Over my years in ministry I have not only heard these questions from kids but their parents also.
Teaching in a Lutheran school has given me countless times to help people learn and grow in their faith. I love sharing about how Christ has worked in my life. More importantly I share about times I have failed and have experienced God's grace and forgiveness. I believe as a church and school we have a unique ministry that draws new believers closer to the cross. We need to be more deliberate in reaching out to the families that come to us. Psalm 25:4 says Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. We need to offer our hand and help them learn some basics of believing. The more time we invest in helping others with a firm foundation the stronger we are in our faith. When Sam asks me how to do a Y turn and I have to stop and think because it is something that I just do when I need to I really have to think why and when I do it. Very much like a new Christian asking about matters of faith and learning God's Word. As we join them in reading God's Word we learn so much more about it ourselves. Look with eyes of Christ to find those who might be struggling with their faith walk. Just as new drivers need guidance so do new believers. If you are willing to sit in the passenger seat with a 15 1/2 year old at the wheel of the car... consider walking side by side with new believer to keep them safe on His road.