Mystery

I've been thinking a lot lately about the mysteries of following God.  I know:  deep subject for such a shallow mind.  And not to suggest I know all about following God - intellectually, practically, or otherwise.  I just know that no matter how long I serve Him, no matter where His mission for me leads, I remain amazed at how He goes before us, preparing hearts, providing resources, bringing all the pieces together like only He can.

It dawned on me the other day that until a few months ago, I'd never heard of Alicia, AR.  But because of the partnership Wellspring Church enjoys with Alicia Baptist Church, this small farming community will forever be a piece of the jigsaw puzzle of my life. 

I wonder what the next "puzzle piece" will look like?  Where will it be?  No one knows but the Puzzle Maker Himself.  All I can know for sure is this:  He is faithful.  His Word promises that He has "prepared in advance" work for us to be a part of.

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 

Like I said:  a mystery.

Anticipation

I've never had a kid, at least not personally.  My wife, however, has done a fine job of delivering three beautiful babies.  And the thing I remember most is the waiting.  Waiting to find out whether we're having a boy or girl, waiting and wrestling to find the perfect name, and waiting, waiting, waiting for the birth to finally happen.  That's why it's the "waiting room."  But when they finally arrive...wow.  Look what God did!

I'm reminded of those three amazing birth events in our family as we wait on the birth of Wellspring Church.  God has planted within us the vision, the hunger, and the resolve to see this new work begin.  Now comes the waiting.  Tick.  Tock.  Tick.  Tock.  I'm find encouragement in the words of the apostle Paul from Romans 4:17, who reminds us we serve a God who "calls things that are not as though they were." 

Anticipation.  Waiting.  Longing.  But I am confident that soon, in God's perfect timing, it will happen.  Ane then we'll say, "Wow.  Look what God did!"

Church Planting Is For Fools

Okay, some of you are already offended.  So, let me elaborate.  I've pastored for around eleven years.  Started out scared to death, which is a good thing.  Totally dependent on God.  But, at the same time surrounded by other "successful" pastors who seemed to have it together.  If I'm honest, the tendency was to "model the minions."  Do what they do...walk where they walk...act like they act.  You get the picture.  As much as we want to be unique and outstanding in our field (insert farming joke here), we also want to be accepted, included, respected by our peers.
Such is not the case for the church planter.  Like it or not, his peer pool is limited.  Other pastors look at him like he's seen a burning bush and effectively had all his facial hair burned off.  He is commonly viewed as the "freak who couldn't cut it" in the traditional church.  Maybe they're right.  All I know is this:  there's something exciting about returning to the days of being scared to death and totally dependent on God.  Call me a fool.  I'm cool with it!