Devotional on Waiting.
Happy that some things are getting back to normal, yet still very frustrating. The simple ability to break bread together today turns into a major deal to organize. The ability to connect and to worship, fellowship and carry out discipleship efforts is hampered. Doing missional work is very hampered. Instead of “going into all the world and make disciples”; lately it’s been, “stay in your own place; love people by masking up and not having too much in-person contact with them”. I’ll admit it: I’m an impatient guy. I want to be out there doing stuff, and much of the last 4 years has been a waiting game. Have been frustrated we have not been able to do more these past 4 years. Yet, I am also reminded that waiting is part of God’s plan for us. It is mentioned dozens of times in scripture:
Psalm 5:3 “In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation”.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”…God is our refuge and strength, and ever- present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea”.
Let’s remember the history of the Israelite people Scripture: slaves in Egypt for roughly 430 years; under the thumb of the Assyria empire for roughly 70 years; in captivity in Babylon for yet another 70 years or so. Are you aware that the time between Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah and Jesus’ earthly time on earth was a good 700 years? It kind of puts our last 4 years of waiting at FF in perspective.
God has his own purposes during this waiting period, most of which we are not privy to at present. So my question to you is: How are you seeking God during this period of waiting? We can only really control how we wait and how we respond to God and act as we wait.
God wants to do a work in you, even during this time of sheltering in place. God wants to draw you closer to him, even though many of our normal ways of doing outreach and discipleship have been changed or limited. As you lay your requests before God, are you hopeful and trusting that God will answer your requests in just the right way and in just the right time? Are you rejoicing in God, even as you grieve the challenges you currently face? Even with the limitations in place, are you still daily looking for ways to share the gospel in word and deed?
These are the kind of things that God delights in. In spite of any kind of “progress” that we see, God is wanting our heart and the heart of FF to be drawn to him. This is our hope for you that as we recently were reminded from Habukkuk 3:
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
I believe that God wants to use this time to draw us closer to him, individually and corporately.
Themes for FF:
- connection (to Jesus and to each other);
- rest;
- mission.
These past four years at FF have been exhausting. Some just need to rest and be served. Others are ready to move forward as the pandemic allows. We will serve those who are hurting and need a break & we will encourage/mentor those who want to move forward in mission. But even for those needing to rest/shelter in place, I urge you to seek God as to how you still can play a role in God’s mission. Our desire is that we celebrate how Jesus is transforming your life even during this pandemic era, and then celebrate how he is transforming the lives of those around us.
So now, here are a few things the elders want you to know.
a) Most importantly: Happy to announce that Del’s interim pastorate has now been extended through May 31, 2022. His commitment to Jesus, faithfulness to FF and example, even during personal challenge, is evident to all. The elders commend him to you and look forward to his continued service.
b) World Relief opportunity. FF may be sponsoring a recent refugee/immigrant family, possibly using the open apartment in the staff housing building for the next 6 months. We look forward to a time that we can also serve the students at Passages School and the Schneider senior building again.
c) Reflections on FF’s future. Emphasis on Going (Jesus command was to “go make disciples”). We envision discipleship occurring in many small group formats but also in newly formed missional small groups (doing discipleship while serving people in our community).
Closing comments on why Del is not currently a candidate for permanent senior pastor.
As elders, we didn’t encourage or discourage Del or Stu from applying for the open pastorate positions. Wanted the prompting to come from them as to whether God was leading them to provide continued service at FF. Feel the need for a new person and fresh eyes to come in and do ministry with us (Del and I have been here forever). Not totally closed to Del serving as permanent senior pastor but also not yet feeling called to ask him to. We continue to pray about this, as does Del, and we are open to following however the Lord will lead us.
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