I’m probably not a very flexible person.  I believe in my way, am confident in my way, and have experienced success in my way.  Of course, I believe that my way is the best way, and that the best way is my way.  Sound arrogant?  I suppose it is.  Yet, I have my way of preaching, my way of leading a church, and my way of doing church.  And I do it my way because its the best way I know how; and I want to do every thing I do to the best of my ability (which by definition makes it my way!).

More importantly, I want my way to be under the umbrella of God’s way.  I want my way to be submitted and committed to God’s way.  If I do it my way, I should do it because I feel that it is actually God’s way.  Sometimes my way proves not to be God’s way, and sometimes God’s way proves not to be my way; most notably when failure is obvious (because God’s ways never fail).

But, despite my hubris, I want to open my mind to new ways.  I often pray for humility, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  I want to know when my way is less than the best so I can repent and get in tune with God’s ways.

As I am reading Alan Hirsch’s book “Forgotten Ways,” my ways are being challenged, and yet his message resonates with me.  He doesn’t do church my way, he doesn’t do doctrine my way, and he doesn’t plant churches my way; but I’m still trying to discern what, if anything, God is trying to teach me?  What new way is God exposing to me?  What new thought does God want me to think?  What new application does God want me to employ?  And why is God exposing me to these new thoughts?

I don’t know the answer to these questions, but I hope that God is still conforming my ways to His ways.  Psalm 128:1 says, “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.”