Trembling, Trees, and Taking Action
Trembling
It was a special moment to pray over Daniel Bright after he was affirmed by member vote in yesterday's gathering! Watching God's continued faithfulness in his life in bringing he and his family to this moment has been amazing. I appreciated Jeff's prayer as well - and acknowledgement of how God has faithfully and clearly provided throughout this season of transition.
As we laid hands on Daniel, he was trembling with the overwhelm of the moment. Reflecting on that led me to Psalm 96:9:
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.
That moment will be one I remember for a long time in terms of sensing the holy presence of God and quite literally feeling Daniel's awe in that moment. Keep praying for Daniel as he works through several logistics in beginning his vocational ministry at Christ Community.
Trees
I appreciate Sue Ellis greatly, and then she had to go and talk about trees! Trees offer so many insightful teachings for the lives of believers and she offered up one that had me searching for more. Her reference to trees hardening before winter (a process also called acclimation I'm learning..) led me to start researching as I was curious about the DE-acclimation process. How do trees re-open themselves to the growth and new life of spring?
I'll let the curious do their own research on the scientific end, but it left me thinking about how many of us need to revisit how we reopen ourselves to the growth and life we can find in Christ as we DE-acclimate from seasons of pain, trauma, and grief. Let's not get stuck in the proverbial "winters" of life. What would it look like for you (or what do you need to do) to be open to the new growth God has for you in Christ?
And once again, thank you Sue for your wisdom and the gift you have of passing it on.
Taking Action
I know, I know. I just preached about WAITING. But I thought it also might be helpful that there are all kinds of actions we can take, while we wait.. Here's 5 that have come to mind over the last week or so:
1) Obey. Many times we aren't hearing or seeing what's next because we haven't obeyed what we've already been asked to do. If there's sin you know need to confess, commands to obey, or forgiveness you need to give, you don't have to wait.
2) Love your neighbor. It's the second greatest commandment that's like the first. And the first is a whole lot like gazing at the beauty of God. (Psalm 27:4)
3) Be Present. This is kind of an extension of loving your neighbor. But in a world filled with distractions, and during times of waiting where you're mind might often end up preoccupied, fight to be present. It's a game change not only for the people you're with, but it often opens your eyes up to see things as they really are, too.
4) Gossip about the Gospel. I heard a leader use this phrase this week and I like it. He was talking about how God's kingdom often advances when we people are simply "gossiping about the gospel." You don't ever have to wait to tell someone the good news. In the casual, hang out culture of summer, it's the perfect chance to be gossiping about the gospel.
5) Pray. I receive multiple texts on Sundays from pastor friends, church members, and others who are praying for me and for our church. That's humbling. And necessary. And something we can always do while we wait. I think, too, of the example of George Muller that I shared yesterday; faithfully praying while waiting. I admire so many of the prayer lives in our church family while challenging myself and others to join them as they join Jesus in and through prayer.
