One thing I know for sure: Submission places you in the zone for favor with God. I have experienced that throughout my 20 years in ministry and I’ve not experienced it too. It’s much more fun when I’ve submitted. Erwin McManus refers to “signing on” years ago to a life of sacrifice. No doubt, when God calls us, we must go, regardless of how we feel. To me, that’s the key word, “feel.” You don’t have to feel it, you just have to know it down deep inside.
It would take a book to let you in on the miracle after miracle of confirmation that God has sent our way, “for such a time as this” and Origin Church. All we want to do at Origin is love God, love people right where they are, and all grow closer to God- changed lives. I can’t imagine not having moved to all five places of ministry over the last 20 years; the changed lives, the life-long friendships, new environments, new homes, fresh cities, and simple obedience. To be transparent, out of all five, I’ve never wanted to move to any of them, except one, and it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. However, they all became home, with deep roots, and amazing growth for all five of us as a family. We’re so proud of our three kids, who have excelled everywhere we’ve gone.
Here’s an interesting thought for me today: My first church in Georgia I pastored for almost 8 years. I’ve been gone from Georgia for a little over 8 years now. What do the next 8, or the next 16 years hold? We don’t know, but we look forward to finding out! What about you?
- Are you living in such a way as to be missed?
- Are you on the edge and the ledge of trying to make a tough obedience decision but you’re afraid to make it?
- If you stay where you are right now, and do the same things you’ve always done, you’ll get the same results you’ve always gotten.
- Wouldn’t you like to meet the people God has reserved for YOU ALONE to influence, with the good things of God? They may be in another job setting, another city, another church, another something……..Trust me, God has had them reserved for me in every city we have lived. Again, I cannot imagine not meeting these people.
- If you had news of a terminal disease, today, would you wish you had done something differently, in light of affecting people, influencing people, and impacting people for Jesus Christ? (obviously we all would have a list of something, but I’m asking regarding ministry, eternity, and risk)
Final challenges:
- Don’t be a slave to a wage.
- Want implies that you do not deserve what you desire. You do. (everything God has ordained for you.)
- You will never have enough money to follow your dream.
- Start today to earn the wages your mind pays you.
- When you have no challenges, you feel miserable, because challenge is purpose.
- The only catalyst most of you are missing is RISK.
- In order for God to have pleasure in you, you must strive, test, and dare the jaws of the lion.
- Ease offers God nothing.
- You need to jump knowing there is going to be a net there.
- He needs you to go out into the rain without doubt knowing that sunshine will appear.
LIFE IS SHORT!
