Restoration Life. Welcome to the launch of a new series, a new mindset, and our focus for the next two years! Does that seem long or short to you? It may depend on your age and experiences, but two years can really go by in the blink of an eye, especially if we are not intentional. Restoration Life is about being intentional with our time, talents, treasures, and most importantly, with sharing Jesus!

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I hope that you were a part of the Fall Launch at the PAC. Looking back over the past few weeks, God has undoubtedly been at work at ACF, in Alaska, in our nation. Did you know that ACF has grown by over 700 people in the past 6 weeks? Praise God!

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He is showing us that He is at work all around us. The question is – will we join him? Do we long to be personally restored and to seek restoration for those around us?

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In the book of Ezekiel, God is speaking through his prophet. In chapter 34, Ezekiel starts by calling out the shepherds of Israel who were only looking after themselves and not taking care of the flock. God is using the imagery of the day and time – Israel was a country of shepherds and sheep. The people understood what God meant through these images.

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We aren’t a shepherding culture, but we in Alaska know predators and prey. We tend to be savvy about the risks of living in the Last Frontier, especially when we are out enjoying the beautiful wilderness or when we have animals of our own that need some extra protection. When hiking, we take care to have the right deterrents and are especially protective of our children and pets. On our property, we make sure that our animals are secure and that livestock, like chickens or goats, have extra security from predators. If we only looked out for ourselves and didn’t take care of the more vulnerable, there would be consequences.

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Let’s take the analogy as God intended, though. The sheep are His people – all that He has created and all that He loves. Every. Single. One. And there is a real enemy: Satan wants to keep people from Jesus – from knowing there is a God who wants to have a relationship with them. Peter warns in 1 Peter 5:8, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” But what about those who don’t even know they should be on-guard? Who is looking out for them?

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If we are those who have already been rescued by the Good Shepherd and know the dangers of our prowling adversary, shouldn’t we take care of those around us who are still roaming without protection and without awareness? Do you have anyone in your life who fits this category? Has God put on your heart someone who is lost and needs rescuing? What is your response? Are you actively pursuing their rescue?

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Restoration Life is not just for those of us who are on a path of restoration. It is for ALL of those around us. We need to invite everyone to join us on this journey. Praise God, He has restoration work to do in each one of us!

Lord, give me boldness and courage as I know who you have placed on my heart. Show me how to pursue their rescue in Your name and Your timing. Open my eyes and my heart to all You have for me in this season of Restoration, but may I not be so self-focused that I miss serving those around me and inviting them to journey with me.

Amen.