First Service

Sigh... (of relief)

I think this is the way I am feeling about our first service having come and gone. There was a perception for me, of monumental proportions, of what our beginning would look like. I'm sure that every church planting has visions of packed rooms, God's power, and a desire to "feel" the buzz. It is just a guess, but I think many a missionary has been surprised by what God really has in mind.

Packed rooms...
Our first service had visitors; and more than just brothers and sisters from other churches. A couple from Walla Walla who have a son I knew as an early christian. An Aunt who as Amber from Spokane put it, "one of a 100 family members and cousins" here in Tri Cities. My mother visiting from Wisconsin and another person I guess I didn't meet. I think we had our hands full just with this.

God's power...
The fact that we even had the service pretty much proves God is powerfully at work. I'm not sure if any of us were ready to go, but God is. Leading up to and during service we had many needs and sins being tackled just among the team members. I personally had to repent of being a big Jerk to my wife for much of the week prior. Others were saddened and broken by betrayal. Still others wondering if they are in the right place at all. Ruben talked about crying out to God in prayer like never before. God's power?

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I think we will be reminded of this regularly by our perfect and awesome God.

God is doing something great and we may just be privileged to see it when it happens if we are faithful.

The Buzz...
Or maybe how I am feeling right now; the fizzle. We will have to combat this feeling thing. The Spirit is working in and around, (and outside) our feelings. What I feel means very little. Yet it seems to matter greatly in the moment. I want to be on the mountain-top all the time. I'm sure Moses did too.

Exodus 19 - Moses went up on the mountain
Exodus 32 - Moses comes down to a major mess

I'm not on the mountain-top right now. I am in the "mess," as well as part of it. God gave Moses his plan and he gives it to us as well.

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”