71-Ever Been On A Plane? I Have.

I think that it’s time to move on from BC, although there always seems to be a gentle reminder of it’s challenges, joys, and in Beyond fashion its highlights, lowlights and disco-lights. Every Project Forty participant knows the beauty of these simple inquires as the landscape darkens and headlamps begin to illuminate only the necessary functions in camp. All that to say, I’m reminded of BC right now. I’m 32,000 feet above the earth’s surface, admiring the Creator and His splendor in the world we get to call home (temporarily). Flying on a clear day allowed me to observe a small mountain road, winding around the range, hanging all alone to each perfectly sculpted ridgeline. I quickly imagined myself on the face of one of those ridges, realizing the obstruction of my view by the trees, the thick foliage pressing my every side and limitations to navigate without a clear line of sight.

Alone and in the mountains is an intimidating position… I’ve been there, you must trust your map and compass as much as your Savior in this vulnerable position. However, seeing the mountains from my safe little window in the fuselage of a Boeing Airbus, gave a fresh perspective. That little winding road had a destination. I could picture myself a mere ¼ mile from that road and never know that it’s there. It could be my craving for safety because it’s presence in the mountains would indicate that I would not be truly alone, especially if I found it and walked it to it’s end. Someone had been there, and others would surely follow.

I have been thinking about community lately, having discussions and reading books about the topic and it is heavy on my heart—so much so, I’m creating analogies about it with my travels! This morning I read a devotional by Paul David Tripp that captures the desire of my heart and soul for myself, my family and for Project Forty and I would simply like to share some of it with you, then let it stand for itself:

“It really is true—your walk with God is a community project. The isolated, separated loner, Jesus and me religion that often marks modern church culture is not the religion that is described in the New Testament. Many of us live virtually unknown, and many of the people whom we think we know we don’t actually know. Many of us live in endless networks of terminally casual relationships, in which conversations seldom go deeper than weather, food, politics, the coolest movie that out, or the latest cute thing your child did. Most of what we call fellowship never really rises to the level of the humble self-disclosure and mutual ministry that make fellowship actually redemptively worthwhile… ‘Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.’ Hebrews 3:12-13”

-Matt