MOMENT...

Tim Keller, a theologian, author, and pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, New York, was once asked why there was a need to plant more churches? His response was quite emphatic:  Because most churches become relaxed after reaching the 7-10 year mark.  When a person or organization becomes comfortable, the willingness to “step out of the boat” becomes lessened.  The risk they once had has now all but disappeared.  Stagnation rears it’s ugly head, and growth doesn’t seem to be as important as it once was.  Every church, organization, or mission starts with humble beginnings.  And to survive, you are willing to risk most anything for the sake of the dream, for the sake of the mission.  Failure isn’t an option.  Then a tipping point occurs, and either you sink or swim.  Those that have had the fortune to swim teach others to swim, and traction happens, which leads to excitement, which leads to growth, which leads to assets.  Assets are a double-edged sword.  On one side, they are good, they are a sign of perseverance.  But on the other side, they can be what holds you back from all God wants you to become.  Anyone that has experienced taking nothing to something knows this all to well, but the majority of us choose not to admit it.  We hold onto dear life the “child” God granted us sometime back, and we are not willing to take any chances if losing it!  The second tipping point has begun, and death will one day be the outcome.  More churches are closing their doors now, than ever in history.  For the sake of Christ, we need more planting.       

But let’s not be to critical.  Can’t the same be said regarding our own lives?  We are born with dreams, and when we are young, we’ll do most anything to live out those desires.  Yet somewhere along the way, maybe it was a father or mother, or close friend, that told you, (with well intentions) “It’s time to grow up and take responsibility of your life.”  They talked to you about topics like retirement, family, and the countless challenges life will bring if you don’t follow the proper steps, steps that provide security.  Security isn’t a bad thing.  Who doesn’t enjoy the comfort of a home, family, employment, and a holiday thrown in every once in awhile.  Good health is also a part of being secure.  Here in Uganda security is something one thinks about daily, especially in the nighttime hours!  But if I spent every waking moment (or sleeping) obsessed with security, God wouldn’t have birthed FNC Academy, at least not through Wendy, myself and the countless souls who continue to make this mission come to life daily.  If security was top priority, Abraham would have missed out on being the ultimate father, Moses would have missed his burning bush moment, David would have missed becoming King, Peter would have missed walking on water, and Jesus would have missed out on becoming the savior of the world.  God gives each of us moments.  Some of us get stuck in them.  Then there are those who grab them, and hold on for dear life because God’s assignments are way bigger than they are.  As of late, God has been challenging me to continue to step out of the boat, to leave what has become “comfortable”, and go where he has already gone, particularly in FNC’s area of growth.     

FNC is celebrating 5 years, and the school has entered its’ fourth year.  We now have the awesome responsibility of 170 students and 32 staff.  Space is becoming not just an issue it’s becoming a fact that can’t be ignored.  Lord knows we have been through tough and gracious times.  We’ve seen God work.  He’s moved mountains and He’s led us to still waters.  Risk taking has been threaded through our DNA.  Mistakes have been made and lessons learned; God continues to receive the glory.  Here’s why…none of us were ever equipped for this…none of us!  Which means only one thing, God has done it, not us and not you, just God.  But in order for us to allow God to continue to receive the glory, we have to continue to take risks.  Otherwise, the glory begins to go to our heads.  God doesn’t bless such.   

The more I read about the Hero’s of the Faith, the more I see a continuous death to self, and an ever growing desire to become closer to the Messiah.  For me, they’re not just Hero’s of the Faith, they’re more like Faithful Hero’s.  One may be able to step out on faith once, but continuing to step out is an entirely different matter.  Perseverance is a key element, no doubt…but being faithful, God fearing, ever loving, and obedient children will produce fruit beyond our hearts’ desire.  When God created me, when He created you, he didn’t set up an assembly line.  We weren’t all made to be Maytag’s.  He hand crafted each of us, like a one of a kind painting.  Each of us have been given an assignment.  At the moment, God has placed me in the middle of Africa loving on a bunch of students and leading out the best I know how.  It’s a humbling experience, and at the same time awesome.  Humbling because I still have no idea how we got here and awesome because I get to wake up each morning and literally say, “OK God, you’ve got to take this one, cause I’m in no place to handle.”  Worry and the fear of failure drives most people to do what they do, whether good or bad.  From a guy who still has no idea what he’s doing, failure has defined a lot of my life.  Do I ever become concerned? Sure.  Does it consume my thoughts? Not any more.  After all, at the end of the day, God’s got this thing.  And the moment He doesn’t, then I’ve certainly got some worrying to do.