This may be the most difficult blog post I have ever written. Six mornings ago, I was informed that I would not be receiving an interview for the Senior Pastor position at Euzoa. I don't quite understand or agree with all of the reasons behind this decision. I have felt a huge range of emotions over the last six days, my favorite of which is numbness, but that is the one emotion eluding me in this moment.
I am sure of a few things:
God is in control. He has never failed me and He is at work in my life today. I trust Him with my whole heart and I know that He will "clue me in" one day if He sees fit as to how this unexpected event will bring Him glory. If He chooses to never tell me the "why," that's okay too! I trust that He knows what is best for my family.
Every church is "a beautiful mess." The church is Jesus Christ's chosen bride. She is to be respected because Jesus loves her and has chosen to use her to reach the world with His Gospel. Please don't ever join the "perfect church" because the minute that they accept your membership, they will be forever ruined. Churches are truly beautiful messes of a broken and fragmented humanity, but thank the Lord that He can still use us in the midst of our fragility. I don't want to disrespect my church or any other church because I don't want to insult my Savior. He voluntarily laid down His Life for the church so I think He knows that she's not perfect, but He still loved her enough to be nailed to the most famous Cross in history, and He still chooses to work through her today.
Humans are fragile and broken people. The last six days have reminded me that I am not a "super man" who is only harmed by kryptonite. Words hurt. People hurt. Disappointment hurts. Feelings hurt. Hurt hurts. The flesh often fails us at our deepest moments of need. What a great reminder that we must lean on Jesus in both the seasons of prosperity and pain. I don't have the strength to rebound from this event on my own, but I will rebound. Make no mistake on that. My faith in Jesus will bring me through this valley and I believe that He will give me the endurance to climb another mountain so that I can see the view from the top again one day!
Prayer can help us get through the most difficult of days. I am not even sure what to pray for in the midst of this situation, but I am praying nonetheless. And it is helping! Your prayers for my family will help us through this time as well.
People make a difference. Encouraging words, whether through cards, phone messages, or conversation are amazing. In the middle of a tough day, hearing genuine people share genuine feelings means a great deal to us these days.
Today is the day that matters. Five year plans rarely pan out. Why do we waste so much time planning for the future while the present is escaping us by so quickly becoming the past? God has given us the gift of today and we are to be good stewards of using it to further His Glory TODAY! (by the way, I am not against planning, in fact, I am very much in favor of it, but we can never regain the lost opportunities of letting this day slip away!)
God is in control! This is not a typo. I realize this is my first point. I also realize it HAS to be my last point. I don't know the answers for the rest of my life today. I don't even know what clothes I am going to wear today (still in the comfies) or what I am going to enjoy for breakfast, much less the "big answers" for my future. God is in control, and I am going to choose to trust Him in this moment. And hopefully the next...and the next...and the next...
My prayers are with you.
Posted by: Shaun | February 13, 2007 at 11:22 PM