Less than spectacular...
That's what my blogging skills are. Honestly, my blogging skills make the Houston Astros look like an All-Star squad from 1998 (when everyone was still hopped up on roids). Let's see, in 2 1/2 months since my last blog, what possibly could have changed with life, with ministry, with the fam...
Everything.
A few changes...
Try this on for size. From May - July this year, our family will tackle the following:
1) change jobs
2) buy a home
3) change cities
4) have a baby
All in a days work. I'll give you the clift notes version and then hopefully fill some gaps in time (through my faithful blogging). Some months back God began stirring us up, speaking through the Bible, speaking through our circumstances and preparing us for change. Crazy thing, we are now church planters with a good friend of mine, Casey Cease (http://www.c3magnolia.org/). No longer a marriage pastor at a church with a membership boasting more than 50,000...I'm now a community pastor at a church that boasts...okay, we don't really boast...around 50! We are excited, hopeful and terrified all at the same time.
Clarity or Faith?
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Dad said Jesus would take the wheel... :) |
In the midst of sensing God's call to take this step of obedience, I was given some great advice: "Don't pray for clarity (which of course I'd been praying for...). Instead, pray for faith." That hit me square between the eyes. How often do we wait until everything lines up? Makes sense? Is "risk free"?...before stepping out and following God. Obviously there's a great balance here! God gives us discernment and common sense, but the "safest place to be is in the center of God's will" isn't in my Bible, although it makes for yet another fantastic Christian cliche statement (for more examples, turn your radio dial to...stop hating...you thought it too).
So in the midst of going through Exodus a few months back, I came across Exodus 16:9-10: Then Moses said to Aaron "Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, 'Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.'" And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
The context reveals a very dependent nation of Israel wandering through the dessert, daily teathered to God and His prophet for their next cup of water, their next meal, etc. In Exodus 16, God is about to provide the people with sustenance aplenty, but they needed to learn a little object lesson. See, the wilderness was EXACTLY where Israel was supposed to venture. Nothing about their circumstances was going to change that their next step was "into a vast barren landscape". But you know what? That's exactly where the glory and presence of God were! And if He was calling them into the wilderness, you better believe He was going to take care of His peeps.
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Hold on Levi! We're not in Houston anymore! |
Wow. First of all...
The Woodlands/ Magnolia is hardly a vast barren landscape. The wilderness? I think not. But when you're leaving your cozy (okay...semi-cozy) office behind, your comfort, your security and perks to boot, you better believe I pulled an "Israel" and thought long and hard about the next step. We're not in Kansas anymore Toto. Nothing was going to change the unkowns. Actually, they're still alive and well. But you know what? If God has called us to take this step, He'll pave the way. He'll provide. He'll guide.
And He is.
I am far from a perfect husband, father, pastor, person, etc. But I'm learning to walk by faith. You'd think I would have the market cornered at 31 and nearly 10 years in the "ministry." I'm just beginning to understand what it means to trust God. I thought I knew, but I had no idea. If you're looking for a good resource on faith, I'd recommend reading Ron Owens Biography of Manley Beasley. Great book. Very challenging. The takeaway and the challenge? What step of obedience is God calling you to take? Are you still waiting to get all your ducks in a row before stepping out? Have you put God in a box that revolves around your personal comfort? What conviction are you currently stuffing away and ignoring?
A couple of thoughts: Let Scripture be your compass. Not man. Not your own intuition. Not anything else. Next, be bold. Step out! Obey. My sister moved to Seattle last November to work for World Vision. Why? Becuase she was willing to step out in faith! I'd love (seriously) for some folks to post a brief note on a significant step of faith they've taken very recently. Let's be a community of people who do daring things in pursuit of a God who went on a daring mission for us! I'm thankful Jesus stepped out (Philippians 2:5-8). Let's follow in his footsteps.
One final note...
My wife is amazing. Can I just say that I actually (seriously) believe Ephesians 5. I am under the conviction that when a husband is willing to pursue Christ and sacrificially love and serve his wife/family, that she is actully compelled to...gasp...follow him! I love watching Stephani pursue Christ. I love that she trusts God, and I love that she trusts me. Talk about instant accountability! Pray for us. Pray for her. After all, she is 7 months pregnant in the midst of a crazy transition! Let the adventure continue!