6.15.2026 - Katie Van Koevering

This week’s devotions are written by Katie Van Koevering. Katie lives in West Michigan with her husband and three sons. Katie works in the Athletics Department at Unity Christian High School and serves as a leader on the worship team at Covenant Life Church in Grand Haven, MI.  

Read Philippians 2:1-4

I grew up in a road trip family. This meant that at least once a year during my childhood, we’d get in the car for a multi-day trip to somewhere in the United States. I spent many hours in the back seat of our family minivan as we journeyed across California, the Midwest, the West Coast up to Seattle or from Michigan to Florida. When you’re a member of a road trip family, you experience the best and the worst of the other members of your family. As I remember those days, I think of my mom who had prepared bags with treats and activities in them for each hour of our cross-country move. My dad was always on a mission to make sure that we reached our destination in the most efficient way possible (no tourist attraction stops for the Elgersmas). I knew exactly how to push my sister’s buttons to cause chaos and vice versa. My brother knew exactly how to get what he wanted as the baby of the family. I still hear my mom’s words: “Stop what you’re doing and look at the ocean!” when I drive by a body of water. At the end of a road trip, you leave feeling closer to the people you’ve traveled with. Probably too close and desperately needing space, but no matter how well the group got along, you learned something about the people you were traveling with. You’ve gone on a literal journey together, but also navigated communication, social cues, decision-making and most importantly, road trip music. The hours on the road bring people closer together in a way that few experiences do. The Church is navigating something of a road trip together. We’re on a long journey where challenges are faced. It may get monotonous or contentious in moments. There are times where individuals with different personalities need space from each other. Continuing to show up weekly may feel difficult. Navigating the arguments and the negative can get discouraging. But we are together in the journey and Christ unites us in it. The moments with the beautiful views outweigh the monotony. Joining our voices together in song and fellowship unites us more than our arguments can tear us apart. The community of believers being led by the Spirit is capable of lifting each other up in far greater ways than we can imagine. You are receiving this message today because in some way, you are a part of a community of believers. Today, pray to be led to be a positive influence and encouragement to the other members of the journey. Ask God how you can be a light to others that you are in community with.