Will Morgan and I were working through some things for the church today at Central Coffee Co. (best lattes in Charlotte). We were right in the middle of talking about the future when in came Dara (my wife), my mom and my kids – Mary (4), Jack (2) and Ben(1). I love being surprised by them! And I love introducing them to the baristas and the friends I’ve made after spending so much time there.
I love my family!
The past six months have been a lesson in obedience. I have felt the incredible opportunity to lead a church for the first time. And I love that privilege. It has been a combination of excitement and humbling realizations that I am simply following God’s direction for his church.
I have been presented with several circumstances where making the most clear, obvious decision is actually not the best decision. Sure, it may have been good, but I desperately want to do something that honors God, even if it takes longer and doesn’t make total sense to those observing from the outside.
For instance: we have no website. In my experience, that’s ridiculous. But there’s a reason for that. There have been several times that I have sat down with our team to map out a website that would reflect what God is doing in our church. But I continued to hear God speak to me to simply wait.In the waiting, I have found that he has been doing something unseen. I keep hearing the instructions to focus on the people God has brought our way. Work on the framework of this structure. Clearly define our vision, direction and purpose. Continue to pour into our amazing group of people.
I’ll be excited to introduce the web community to our website, but that will come in time. I pray Psalm 119:105 almost every day over my life, family and ministry. “God’s word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” I know that God has placed decisions in my hand to move forward with the church. I just pray that every one of those decisions is illuminated by God’s light, not my own personal flashlight of experience, creativity and limited understanding.
With each decision, may we step in step with God. Even if it means the website is on the back burner a bit longer.
Our team from Center City Church was so blessed this week to accept an invitation to attend Renovatus Church today. Their Senior Pastor, Jonathan Martin, and I had connected this past week after we found out that we had officially secured Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School as our new venue. This was the venue that Renovatus had occupied for the past three years.
Pastor Jonathan brought our entire team in front of the church and had their leaders pray over ours. It was an incredible act of unity. And I know that God was glorified as two local churches shared the same stage in genuine support of each other.
I am deeply grateful for Pastor Jonathan and their whole crew at Renovatus Church. We will continue to spread the message of Christ in the Elizabeth community, following the lead of Renovatus and many other great churches.
We are all in this together. How beautiful.
Today we celebrate the birthday of my beautiful bride, Dara. I’m so blessed to share my life with her. We started off the day at Enso Sushi Bar at the Epicentre in Uptown Charlotte. Then off to Tasty Yo for some frozen yogurt. Football in the afternoon (because she’s just that awesome). Delicious dinner tonight at home with the family and then finishing off the night at Amelie’s French Bakery with our friends.
We’re celebrating Dara today!
**Psalm 119:105 – Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
I am inspired daily by this Scripture. God uses this analogy to show us that he gives us just enough light to illuminate our path. This is so comforting. The thought of knowing that my steps are ordered by the Lord gives me great confidence. But it also can be very uncomfortable.
I am the type of person that wants a spotlight. I want to be able to look to the future and know where I am going. When I drive with someone in the car, I don’t simply want the next turn we are taking. I want the next four turns. As I navigate my life, I would love to have a spotlight shining ahead of me so I can see what is coming weeks, months and years ahead.
This Scripture reminds me daily to focus on today. I can only control what I do today. I can plan for tomorrow. But the only things I can control are my actions in the present. I may not know the details of what lies ahead, but I walk in confidence that the Lord is ordering my steps today.
**Proverbs 4:25-27 // Matthew 6:19-34
