Three years seems like a long time for a lot of things; it is a long time to keep a pair of shoes, but, I'm pretty sure the shoes I wear to work have close to seven years of wear on them. They don't look like they did when they were new, they have some scars to prove their value. Since being called to Elk Creek by God in 2011 I have changed a little too I think. When I first followed God's instruction I was probably like a new pair of shoes to the folks in this beautiful little church.
I remember the nervousness I felt the first time I stood behind the pulpit and shared what God had allowed me to write, a collection of thoughts and my best insight on what I felt the Word of God was saying to me and to the church in that moment, the realization that I had been called to be responsible for the words I would say and the lives I would impact...but unlike my seven year old shoes the nervousness hasn't gone away and the weight of the responsibility that God has entrusted me with still amazes me.
I am learning to trust God more and more with each day I serve our family at Elk Creek, and I like to think that He trusts me a little more too. And there have been times, and may be times in my service that my words, my words, may not fall on favorable ears, and while I would not set out or plan or desire to offend anyone, the problem is that we are all human. Three years seems like a long time, but it took Moses 40 years to realize he didn't have it right, and 40 more figuring out how to get started.
But he got started with one goal, serve God, and his words weren't always well received, but he kept on speaking. Being a Pastor It isn't a popularity contest, at least not for me. Don't get me wrong I hope people like me, but I am called to serve God, I've got a few scars and I'm sure there are more on the way, but if introducing people to Jesus means I've got to take a hit or two, I'm good with that.
In His Service.
I remember the nervousness I felt the first time I stood behind the pulpit and shared what God had allowed me to write, a collection of thoughts and my best insight on what I felt the Word of God was saying to me and to the church in that moment, the realization that I had been called to be responsible for the words I would say and the lives I would impact...but unlike my seven year old shoes the nervousness hasn't gone away and the weight of the responsibility that God has entrusted me with still amazes me.
I am learning to trust God more and more with each day I serve our family at Elk Creek, and I like to think that He trusts me a little more too. And there have been times, and may be times in my service that my words, my words, may not fall on favorable ears, and while I would not set out or plan or desire to offend anyone, the problem is that we are all human. Three years seems like a long time, but it took Moses 40 years to realize he didn't have it right, and 40 more figuring out how to get started.
But he got started with one goal, serve God, and his words weren't always well received, but he kept on speaking. Being a Pastor It isn't a popularity contest, at least not for me. Don't get me wrong I hope people like me, but I am called to serve God, I've got a few scars and I'm sure there are more on the way, but if introducing people to Jesus means I've got to take a hit or two, I'm good with that.
In His Service.
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