Are You Up for the Journey?

How many times have you heard the phrase, "take it to the next level?"  As in, "It's time to take our sales to the next level."  Or, "It's time to take our team to the next level?"  And sometimes, "It's time to take our relationship to the next level."  What does that really mean?  Are there buttons on businesses or athletic teams or relationships like an elevator where you get to pick what floor you want to go to next?  Does Christianity have a "next level?"  Does our faith need to be, "taken to the next level?"  I am not sure it is always that clear.

I do know that as I read through the Bible in 2011, it struck me how much Jesus' life and teaching and example are at a heightened state in the week leading up to his death and resurrection.  He told his disciples in Luke 18:31, "We are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled."  If ever anyone took things to the next level Jesus did that week.  Sunday we will begin a series that covers that journey up and the fulfillment of many of the things Jesus accomplished. There will also be a special daily devotional for us to read from now until Easter called, "Up for the Journey."  It was written by your fellow Northsiders.

Jesus always leads us upward and forward.  There is always another step in the climb, always another place for growth and, I suppose it could be said, always the next level.  If we follow, he will take us there.  I hope you are up for the journey.

Tim