What do you do when you feel spiritually dry? What do you do when following Jesus seems mundane?
Often, we try to grasp for something comfortable. We try to dig into the scriptures in a deeper way. We try to listen to more worship music. We might even try to pull out that book we started three years ago but never quite finished.
When I encounter these seasons, I find that God ultimately calls me to do something seemingly uncomfortable. It tends to be the thing that keeps coming up in the book of my mind that I try to hide from.
Since 2019, we have invited people to participate in Rooted at Browncroft. Rooted is a 10-week small group experience exploring seven rhythms essential to a healthy relationship with Jesus. It is designed to help you establish firm roots in the truth of God’s Word and live out your faith in community with others.
When I encounter these seasons, I find that God ultimately calls me to do something seemingly uncomfortable.
During our last semester of Rooted, I felt a nudge to lead another group. This would be my fifth time leading one. I thought to myself, “This group will really pack my schedule. Isn’t there someone else who could lead it? Would anyone even want to be in a group with me?“
Reluctantly, I said yes to what I felt God was asking me to do, and I invited others to be a part of my group. To my surprise, they said yes, too.
As our group got started, there was something so powerful about what the Holy Spirit was doing. We prayed together and shared deeply of the work of God in us. We met on Sunday nights. I admit that on the way to group, I didn’t always feel like going. But afterwards I sensed God at work in ways I would have never expected.
One of the highlights of our ten weeks together was the serving experience. A member of the group connected us with an organization called Sleep in Heavenly Peace that makes beds for families who need them. I loved having the chance to serve alongside these new friends of mine and was grateful for how God used our team efforts to bless those in need.
Looking back, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to lead this group. It made me realize how much I needed to take a seemingly uncomfortable step, and it became one of the most vibrant experiences in my spiritual formation in that season.
Now I want to talk to two different types of people:
First, I want to invite those of you have not yet participated in Rooted. You might be thinking that you can’t make the commitment for ten weeks. You might have anxiety about who is doing Rooted with you or the other details. I want to challenge you that God calls us to take steps that seem uncomfortable in order to do things in our lives and hearts that we would never expect.
The Rooted registration deadline is Sunday, September 1st. You can sign up at the button below:
Secondly, I’m wondering how many of you feel stuck in your spiritual journey. You feel dry. No matter the books you read or the experiences you have, there’s something missing. I want to challenge you to consider leading a Rooted group in the future. Something happens when we move outside of ourselves to help someone grow spiritually. Our next Small Group Leadership Training will take place on January 19th, 2025, prior to the launch of our February Rooted cohort. You have some time to pray about leading– but maybe it’s exactly the step God is asking you to take in this next season.
