Monday, October 19, 2009

HE Holds the Future


It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a Trustee for the past three years. As I reflect on my time of service, I can honestly say that it’s been very educational, thought provoking, challenging, sometimes frustrating and humbling. I listened with interest this morning during the worship service as Trustee Chair, John Mark Fones outlined how mightily God has worked in our building project over the past several years. Just when we thought we’d go this or that direction, God had another plan. Many times, the Trustees were anxious as to what was going on, but all along, trusted that God would work it out for His glory.

I hope that everyone in attendance in worship today was inspired to trust God daily – to expect great things from Him. I was encouraged to hear again how the Lord made our building program possible; slowing us down for the day HE would act to make it a reality. I think it is important to note that the Trustees and Building Committee were prepared for whatever God had in store for us; whether it was just building the education wing, building the whole planned project or to build nothing at all. Like John Mark, I greatly appreciate the years of service the members of the Building Committee and collateral committees have put into this new project. While witnessing the new building project go from idea to design to reality is exciting, it’s what will be happening inside those walls that count – the lives saved and relationships made. That’s why God showed up – it’s not so Living Hope could brag about what we have; it’s so Living Hope could live out the great commission. It is also so people like you and I could be encouraged to trust God with all areas of our lives.

John Mark’s testimony was reinforced by the songs in worship today – all describing the character of our Lord. We sang, “You are God, you are holy, how awesome are the things we’ve yet to see” – we sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” and we heard a beautiful song about how “Beautiful” our Lord is. Why is it, that as Christians we many times have to be cornered to trust Him? Why is it that we cannot daily trust and depend on our holy, awesome and beautiful God? My experience as a Trustee has provided me with firsthand accounts of how the Lord has been faithful with our church’s finances and in the lives of our pastors and staff members. I am thankful to have been able to serve Him in this capacity.

As Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Please continue to pray for our church’s ministers, our staff, the Trustees and the various other committees who are dedicated to doing the Lord’s work. According to a certain Bible commentary, “As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill His mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.”

Stacey Sims

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