About a year ago, Kristen and I were looking at the calendar trying to figure out a good time to start a church. We picked October 11th. I don't have any real good reason. We thought it was enough time after school that things had settled down a little bit. There was enough time after we moved home from Chicago to be able to get things in order. Other than that... nothing special, we just wanted to start a church. Well, from that point on our life has been a veritable hurricane of activity. That's right, veritable. God has been teaching us patience, humility, gratitude and obedience in ways that we never expected. I've had to learn how to start a non-profit organization in the state of California (not super easy). I'm a boss to 3 employees for the first time in my life. But mostly this hurricane has been the building excitement and momentum toward October 11th. I'm writing this on Wednesday, October 7th and to be honest, I have no idea what's going to happen on Sunday.
As much as I want to make Sunday amazing, I know that the only thing God has asked me to do is to be obedient to Him. To live my life on His mission, for His purpose with His heart. The results of that life aren't for me to decide. They are completely and totally up to God. As a leader I want to see the thing that we are starting do well. I want to see people captivated by the God who I love. I want to see people finding their way back to God. But that's not the call. God has asked us to humbly obey Him and let Him do His work so that He gets all the glory.
I can't wait to see everyone on Sunday. I think its gonna be a lot of fun. But just like getting married, it would be foolish to be so focused on the wedding that you forget about the marriage. We're here for God's purpose. God wants to put His broken family back together. Anthem Church exists to help people find their way back to God and we are going to do everything that we can and everything that God has given us to live on that mission.
Not sure exactly how to wrap this up except to say this, if you're ready to be a part of something bigger than yourself, simply live "not my will, but yours be done". It's not about what we want, it's about serving God and pursuing Him wherever He takes you. So make it hap'n cap'n :)
