Soon it was time for the annual elders’ retreat. I’d always wondered what my father did when he was gone from us for this weekend event and now I’d find out.

The retreat combined devotions with thoughtful reflections on our faith and on our responsibilities as Christians. “Let’s talk about God’s way,” my father said on the final morning. “How would our world look if we actually lived as Christ taught?”

As the discussion picked up, the distinction between the world’s way and God’s way took on a vivid meaning as it became increasingly clear that what we are urged to do as a church and as elders and members differs wildly from the way the real world works. Imagine taking God’s way into the world where we work and play and live together—loving people regardless of our differences, forgiving quickly and without reservation, caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, being thankful for the day at hand.

I wondered if God wanted us all to be His elders, whether ordained or not, and to take His teachings seriously. Maybe He’s counting on us to make His way and the world’s way one.

Dear God, help me to reflect Your way in everything I do.