Only God
What if God has already placed you exactly where heaven longs to break in?
ONLY GOD is an invitation to join what God is already up to and watch the kind of story unfold that makes us step back and say, “Only God.”
Join us for our upcoming sermon series starting August 6
How to live the “ONLY GOD” life:
STORIES
Kris Stevenson
Kris and Todd moved into their neighborhood in Downers Grove because they loved the community. Kris was teaching at Lyons Township High School when they moved in, and a colleague lived across the street. They had spent time on the quiet, tree-lined street and could easily imagine their young kids growing up there.
They've never regretted their decision. As Kris says, "The house is fine. The neighborhood is incredible."
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But as their kids have grown up and moved out of the house, the nature of relationships on the street has changed. These days, it's less of a front-porch, kids-running-across-the-street kind of neighborhood. More of life happens behind privacy fences and in backyards. Kris and Todd still love where they live, but there are more barriers to engaging with their neighbors. Some are physical, like fences. Others aren't. People are busy, schedules are full, and there isn't always the margin to linger for an extra twenty minutes with a neighbor like there once was.
One way Kris is trying to live the ONLY GOD life is by intentionally tearing down the barriers that keep her from engaging with the people around her. As she's done so, she's been surprised by the opportunities God has created.
For Kris, tearing down barriers has looked like this:
Being interruptible – Life is busy, but Kris is trying to live as though every moment on her block is brimming with redemptive potential. That has meant choosing to stay attentive to the ways God might use an interruption in her schedule to create a moment for relationship.
Walking the dog with purpose – Kris's dog, Chance, loves people. She's begun to see their daily walks as opportunities to draw near to neighbors, hear about their lives, and deepen relationships.
Living with low walls herself – Kris grieves the perception that Christians are often walled off or judgmental. She wants people to know, through both her words and her presence, that her family loves Jesus and loves everyone always.
For the past few months, Kris and I have been swapping stories about what it looks like to live the ONLY GOD life in our own neighborhoods. One day, when we were scheduled to meet, she rushed in and announced with gusto, "I'm late because I was interruptible!"
There was a neighbor she'd been praying for but hadn't seen in a while. As she was pulling out of her driveway, she noticed them outside. She had a plan for her day, but she was tuned in to the nudging of the Spirit. So she pulled over. She allowed her plans to be interrupted. She tore down an internal barrier and drew close to a neighbor.
It was the right call.
Kris and Todd are working hard to tear down barriers. As they do, they're choosing to become carriers of the Gospel rather than barriers to it.
As we begin a journey as a church, living the ONLY GOD life and praying, take some time to think about the “places and faces” in your life.
What are the PLACES you frequent? Invite God to transform your vision of your role in this “place” with a new sense of calling. How might you show up differently?
Who are the FACES in front of you? How might you greet a family member, neighbor or even a random person with an eternal mindset?
As you settle on these places and faces, start praying that God would do more than you could ask or imagine.
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Tell Us Your ONLY GOD StoryReply with an answer to one of these questions. Was there a person in your life who helped you to know Christ? Tell us the story. How have you been showing up in your “places” and with your “faces?” Tell us the small actions that you're taking to live intentionally in your community and with your people. |
