Did your Wesleyan reflexes finish that phrase for you? If you recognize them as the first half of the final words spoken by John Wesley before he died, you likely know the last four…God is with us.

This phrase bubbled up in my consciousness this week. I was writing about our office moving from just off Harding Place in southeast Nashville to the Denman Building on Grand Avenue, which is closer to the city center. As we have publicized this move, we have emphasized that though the office of the TWKC Foundation/Development Fund will be physically in a different location it will not change anything about who we are, what we do, and why we do it.

As a Christian, if you have ever been connected to or experienced life in Methodism you know it is a ministry of movement. Bishops move. Clergy move. Even churches might move. In the comings and goings of life, there will always be something to make you want to stay where you are. But there will also be something you’ll miss out on if you don’t move. Thus, movement creates opportunities for new experiences and a fresh perspective.

Every person has a unique way of receiving, understanding, and sharing the Gospel that no one else has. As Methodists, we align the distinctive individual gifts and graces God has given us with the flow of prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace in our lives and in our ministries. For our discipleship to be a blessing to as many people as possible, moving is a good thing.

It is also essential to know that every church or ministry also has a unique way of receiving, understanding, and sharing the Gospel that no other place or group has. I have had the privilege of serving four local churches thus far in my itinerant ministry. I was blessed to serve them each for five years or more. To the best of my ability, I shared the good news of Jesus Christ to them and with them. But I have also been blessed by the way each faith community has shared and challenged me with their unique version of God’s Good News!

Sometimes there is fear when we move. Uncertainty, doubt, nerves, and worry start to build. Sure, there will be adjustments and modifications to some aspects of life and ministry…but the mission never changes. As disciples of Jesus Christ in the Wesleyan way, we still know who we are, what we do, and why we do it. We are children of God, we offer love, because God first loves us.

Moving is a divine example of “Going forth…”. In Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, Matthew concludes his gospel with Jesus offering words of commissioning, instruction, and assurance as he is about to move on. He tells the disciples what they are to be about…the works of personal and social holiness, the works of grace, the works of obedience. Their ministry is always on the move…and He will always be with them.

“Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: ‘God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:16-20, The Message)

John Wesley knew he was about to receive his reward, even as he took his last earthly breath. His words are also an assurance that wherever we go, there we are…and the best of all is, God is with us.

May we all be willing to put our lives in the path of the Spirit. May we throw ourselves with gusto into the movement of that Holy Spirit. May we always feel, know, and be empowered by the realization of God’s abiding presence.