In my library is a thin little paperback entitled, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll probably end up someplace else.”  The thought does prompt some questions about the future and how we will get there.  For example:
     What is your vision for the church here in your city?  How would you describe your participation and support of this congregation this past year?  Your plans for this coming year?  In fact, just what spiritual goals in particular have you set for yourself?  Which have you made progress toward or accomplished, and why?  How are you preparing for the others?

     What’s your vision for the church?
     Do you picture faithful Chrisitians filling every pew every Sunday?  Can you envision all your neighbors and friends becoming your brethren in Christ?  Do you see as eventual the day when you must open the doors to a newer larger building?  Do you visualize the church here starting faithful congregations in area cities and perhaps even in smaller towns as well?  Are you pleased with the spiritual legacy you contributing to build, even if no one remembers your name?
     Or --
     Do you foresee fewer and still fewer members in attendance?  Do you see as eventual the day when you must close the doors, sell the furniture, sell the building, and meet for church in a die-hard member’s house?  Do you long for a new day when congregations in nearby cities will make efforts to revive your congregation?  Are you discouraged with the spiritual legacy you’ve built and pray that no one holds it against your name?

     How would you describe your participation and plans?
     Are you studying the Scriptures every day searching for true answers to life’s ongoing questions?  Are you learning new skills in hopes of putting them in service for God?  Are you praying specifically each day for at least one other member of the congregation?  Are you looking for specific ways to encourage others?  Have you made plans to increase your contributing to the church by 5%, 10%, or more?  Are you expecting God to use you, your time, and your money as you trust God to provide?  Are you looking for and creating opportunities to point others to Jesus?
     Or --
     Has it been several days since it last occurred to you to read your Bible, let alone actually search for answers to particular questions?  Do you have all your new skills and time reserved for job, recreation, or retirement?  Do you pray only during the assemblies you attend?  Are you still waiting for someone to encourage you?  Have you overextended yourself financially and plan on putting even less in the collection plate?  Are you trusting in God to provide for you -- so long as He doesn’t ask you to help -- or do you just expect to get by on your own with no support from above?  Are opportunities to point others to Jesus only embarrassing opportunities of rejection and humiliation?

     These questions raised here are a bit challenging, somewhat personal, and perhaps more than a little intimidating.  Yet each of us as individuals needs to ask them of ourselves.  I can’t answer them for you, but only for myself.  However, if you’re like me, then many days you don’t do your best, several other days your best isn’t quite good enough by itself, and once in a while you recognize that your best (with some help from God) can fit just right.  If you’re like me, then you still have some room to grow up and to do better.  If you’re like me, then you still have hope in God for the future.