Erosion. You see it everywhere.

I remember a trip out west several years ago where I traveled to Scotts Bluff Nebraska. It is very likely that many of you have never been there, but there was a time in our nation's history when virtually everyone on-the-move in this country passed through Scotts Bluff. It was the place where the Oregon Trail literally narrowed to a "single file" pathway. Thousands upon thousands of wagons lined up, year after year, waiting their turn to travel through the narrow pass between gigantic limestone bluffs.

The passing of all those wagons eroded the land until even to this day; you can see the way the wagons passed. They cut a ravine in the earth that still today (some 160 years later) is 10 feet deep!

Erosion. Step by step it leaves its mark.

Erosion is deadly to the church.

Have you experienced an erosion of your passion?

• 2 Timothy 1:6, "I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you..."

Have you experienced an erosion of the unity in the body?

• Ephesians 4:3, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
   

Have we experienced an erosion of our calling?

• Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

I recently read on a pastor-friend's facebook a post in which this pastor said that a church member had written to him saying,  "This is my family here and I would die with this church if it made Christ famous."

It was convicting to me. I remember that kind of passion. I recall seasons when the church felt that kind of unity. I can recollect a time when the call of God was upon me with that depth of certainty of calling.

What about you? Are you experiencing some erosion in your faith?

It is also important that we keep an eye out for the evidence of subtle erosion.

By the way, are you really praying for the church? Are you praying for the leadership? Are you praying for your pastors? Are you praying for the elders? Are you praying that God will clearly lead us? Erosion happens when we grow tired in prayer.

If we are careful to "line up" with the Lord's leadership, we can navigate even the most intimidating obstacles. And the result will be a trail that leads others to God. Because when people all move together, step-by-step, and stick together, it changes the geography of a place. That's true at Scott's Bluff. It can be true of the legacy of New Work Fellowship in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Let's make sure the right kind of erosion happens here!