Why is it that many who profess faith in Christ simply do not share Him with anyone else? If there was one thing that stood out in the early church it was that they were simply not content to be ignored by the world. All too often the world hardly even takes notice of the church because the church has given the world nothing to take notice of. And in those moments when the world does take notice, it is often because of our poor witness rather than our powerful message. May it be said of us like it was said of the early church, that we make it our aim to "turn the world upside down" with the Gospel of Jesus.

Have you ever noticed how content most people are to just follow the crowd? After spending two days at the various Disney theme parks I was once again amazed at the "herd" mentality of most people. Get in line, follow the person in front of you and then move to the next location and do it all over again. To be honest, that is not my idea of a fun day. In fact, that is not my idea of a fun life. Not only is following the crowd dull, but following the crowd can also be dangerous. And I am not merely talking about a line for a ride at Disney World. Jesus taught us that there is a wide pathway that many people choose to follow as they make life's journey. But He warned that while many choose to follow this pathway, it's ultimate destination is defeat, destruction and death. The invitation to choose this pathway always promises more than it can possibly deliver.

But Jesus gives us another option. In fact, it's more than an option, it's also an invitation. Not to follow the crowds but rather to follow Him. Interested? Intrigued? Well, before you jump in you should know that the pathway that leads to Him and the pathway that leads to hope and the pathway that leads to heaven is narrow. You won't find the crowds on this pathway. The truth is that there may be days when you feel as if you are making this journey by yourself. No, you won't find a large crowd on this pathway. But you will find so much more. You will find Jesus. And the coolest thing about making life's journey by following this narrow way is that you don't have to wait in line. Not for a minute! You begin this journey by faith. And the very moment that you put your faith in Jesus Christ you will discover just how much more exciting it really is not to follow the crowd!

Life is easy to live. In fact, it's a piece of cake! Of course those statements are true only on the condition that everything goes our way. And the last time I checked, everything doesn't always go our way...not even close. Friends that we care for move away, our closest companions let us down, people we love die, and on and on it goes. Just when we learn to hit life's fastballs, life throws us a curve.  So maybe life really isn't easy to live after all? Despite what we want others to think, maybe we really don't have it all figured out. In fact, if we are honest with ourselves we might even admit that we don't have it figured out at all. If we plan on making it in life then we need more than hope--we need help. And there is no one more able and ready to come to our rescue than God. Because even on life's worst days He doesn't go away. He doesn't get sick. And He will never let us down. In fact, He never changes. He is always the same. He's the consistency we need in an inconsistent life. "From where does my help come from," the Psalmist asked? "My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2).

Why are you writing this you might ask? Because this is one of those weeks that I needed this reminder. "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved" (Psalm 62: 5-6).

Last night at our Annual Church Conference I shared 5 fundamental truths that I believe must guide our ministry as we look to the future.

1. What matters most is not how we see ourselves but how God sees us. The truth is that when we begin to see God for who He is, then we will see ourselves for who we are. Need proof? Just look at the churches at Smyrna and Sardis (Rev. 2 and 3). One had a reputation of being alive but God said that it was dead. One had a reputation of being poor but God said that it was rich.

2. Worship is not so much a function of what the church does as it is a reflection of how highly we think of God. Jesus condemned the Pharisees because they were quick to keep their traditions but slow to see that they were missing the entire point. "This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me" (Mark 7:6).

3. Church activity is no substitute for spiritual vitality. In Luke 10 we see the lives of two women. One scurrying about doing a lot of good things and one sitting still doing one thing--spending time with Jesus. While Jesus never condemned the important work of Martha, He was quick to affirm the intimate worship of Mary. Maybe there is a lesson here for all of us? We must never let all of the good things that we do for God take the place of an intimate walk with God.

4. Missions has less to do with trips we take and more to do with a life we live. Evangelistic zeal must not come and go like the rising and falling tide. We don't fulfill our evangelistic duty when the "trip" is over. Nor is evangelism to be relegated to simply "inviting someone to church." A commitment to the gospel and brokenness over the lostness of our world must always be in our hearts. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16).

5. A real vision from God is not so much about finding something new, but rather never losing sight of something old. In Acts 17 Luke tells us about the Athenian's fruitless and relentless pursuit to tell or to hear "some new thing." Today, while the times may have changed, the pursuit continues. Somehow we have become convinced that a fresh vision from God must include some new thing. Well, here is a thought...rather than pursuing something new, maybe we should simply renew our commitment to something old? And maybe we should start with the old, old story of the gospel. I know, it's not some new, shiny, cool idea. It offers no quick "how to" guide for instant success. But last time that I checked, it's still transforming lives.

Sometimes we can lose our way, lose our passion or even forget what it is that we are supposed to be doing in the first place. So this past week, I opened my Bible and re-read 2 Timothy. I refreshed my heart with the instruction and advice that the aging Apostle Paul passed along to the young Timothy. It struck me how he shared no slick ideas, no creative programs and no promises for an easy road. But he did admonish Timothy to use the gifts that God had given him, to not be ashamed of the gospel, to hold fast to sound words, to be strong in grace, to teach sound doctrine, to endure hardship, to present himself approved to God, to flee youthful lusts, to avoid foolish disputes, to continue in the faith, to preach the Word and to be watchful in all things. So, it's really not about some new thing at all. It's about never losing our passion to proclaim the old, old story that has the power to make all things new.