by: Jake Embleton
Have you ever thought about how much our culture is intrigued by the idea of restoration? For example, take the popular TV show “Fixer Upper”. Millions of people tune in each week to watch Chip and Joanna and their crew turn a rundown house into a beautiful home. Even if you are not into watching popular TV shows, you have probably heard the names of Chip and Joanna because of the success of this show.
Recently, I have learned about someone who took the first step to start the work of restoration here in Phoenix. His name was Alexander Groves and he was a circuit rider from Los Angeles. Circuit riders were people who traveled to take the Gospel into the frontier lands during the 1700’s and 1800’s. Alexander Groves first brought the Gospel to a group of people on the banks of the Salt River, meeting under a grove of mesquite trees. Talk about being a pioneer! Talk about someone who was willing to take the first steps. He was the first person to plant a church in Phoenix. Alexander took the first step to start bringing the work of restoration in people’s lives in Phoenix!
In our culture, someone who is willing to take the first step is sometimes regarded as a pioneer. We generally think of pioneers as courageous. We also regard pioneers in high esteem because they are willing to take the first step. However, did you know that the root word of pioneer is the word “pion”? Yes, pion. Not many people I know want to sign up to be a pion. It is also the same root where we get the word “pawn” from, like a pawn in the game of chess. If you know anything about the game of chess, the pawn is often the first chess piece to take a step for the king.
My question for you is, “Are you willing to take the first step for a different kind of King?” A King that is eternal. If helping people to restore their lives requires someone to take the first step, are you willing to do that? Is God calling you to bring restoration to somebody’s life? Is He asking you to take the first step in taking ground for Him, the one true King? Maybe that means talking to your neighbor. Maybe it means befriending an international student at ASU. Maybe it means talking to your co-worker or even a family member about Jesus. Who in your life is waiting for you to take the first step to bring restoration to their life? If restoration is so intriguing to watch on TV, how much more incredible is it to see someone’s life be restored in person?