lean forward (back2school)

Lean forward. Don’t lean so far that you lose your balance and fall. Lean enough to help get your momentum going and be ready for what God has for you in the minutes, days and years ahead.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

One of my favorite days of the year is when our group from back2school comes together to pack backpacks. Well, last evening was that time.

A few hundred volunteers. A few hundred backpacks. Thousands of school supplies. Several trucks and vans. Lots of prayers and hugs, laughter and a few tears. Reuniting with some friends we haven’t seen in a while and meeting a bunch of new, cool people. It was amazing.

But the best part is how we lean on each other. Not literally. But we work together, getting done a task that by ourselves would take several days. In a couple hours the task was complete, backpacks and shoes were loaded in vehicles headed to the locations where back2school will be taking place in this weekend and the next.

We made each other better by leaning on each other and working together.

We helped others see that they and we are not alone.

We gave people a picture of what the church really looks like. People from different backgrounds, different theological perspectives, different parts of the community and beyond doing what God called us to do.

We leaned on each other because working together makes each of us better.

I was listening to a sermon from Erwin McManus recently, and he shared how leaning in to what God was doing helps you be who God wants you to be and to do what God has called you to do.

We need each other. We make each other better and stronger. We give strength and courage to other people when we choose to work together.

But the best part is we find the God-given, God-calling, God-glorifying parts to God for His best to come out of us, our churches and to the people we serve.

Pray for back2school as in 14 locations about 2,500 students will be served this year. Each will hear a message about Jesus, be given supplies and shoes to help them be ready for a new school year.

It really is incredible what you can do when you lean on God and others!

Psalm 102:21-22 NASB

So that people may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem, 22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.

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