Hey Guys,
Well, summer is almost gone and everything will soon crank back up. (I’m not sure it ever let off for me.)
My sense is that God is building momentum. Years ago, I used the metaphor of “catch the wave” (I still have the T-shirt). If you spent time at the beach this summer, you know exactly what I mean. Waves come in. We don’t cause ‘em and we don’t change ‘em. We just take (or not) the opportunity to ride them. And there’s huge exhilaration when we do. We don’t have to catch them—we can stay on shore. We miss a lot of them because we’re either in the wrong place or we’re hesitant.
God is sending waves all the time—opportunities to help do what He wants, which is to bring people back into relationship with Himself. Our part is to ride the “wave” … or ignore or miss it.
One key to catching waves is learning to recognize/evaluate “rideable” waves. It’s just as true with “spiritual” waves. Some of the features of spiritual waves are things like mounting excitement, desire to serve, giving, inviting, awareness of personal sin, and just a general responsiveness to the call of God.
Did you see the response this past Sunday? When that many people lay down that much guilt, there is a huge release of spiritual energy. People are no longer burdened and held down by guilt, but are released to spring into the new thing God is always wanting to do.
For example, when we mention the possibility of opening up what God is doing at BRCC to more people in more places, BRCC’ers are chomping at the bit. People are asking to serve. This is the expression of another key word in the Acts 1/Acts 2 paradigm (i.e., “pray first, then plan,” “first the Spirit then the strategy,” “experiential,” “so that” – see previous blogs for brief treatments of these). This key word is “other-oriented.” People want to move from being consumers to being contributors, to think of others and not just themselves, to be a part of what God is doing in the world, to become more like Christ: “I came not to be served but to serve and give my life as a ransom for many” (my paraphrase of Matthew 20:28.)
That’s the point. That’s God’s business in this world—ransoming those in slavery. And He does it through people who are expressing Christ’s life (Galatians 2:20): serving, laying down their lives for others. Let’s catch the wave!
With you,
Woody
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5 comments:
Woody.......through everything, I appreciate your sincerity, and your passion for running full force after God's heart. You never take any credit for yourself, and give it all to God! Love, love that about you! You have taught me more than you'll know, and for that I just wanna say thank you! I do "catch" some waves, and others I "watch" pass me by......God continues to make sure they cross my path b/c he knows, I do eventually cath on & so he never gives up on me! I'm so thankful your "waves of wisdom"(via God) have really been waves I've pursued after. God bless!
Looks like we have caught a big wave, Woody. I think we are in for an amazing ride!
While we lived in Lynchburg we attended Blue Ridge. We have since relocated to NY to once again answer the call to ministry. Strange how God works things out sometimes. I had thought that I would find ministry opportunities while in Lynchburg and indeed I did. However, they were not the opportunities that I had had thought I would be engaging in. Instead I found myself ministering in the strangest ways. A concerned friend of mine encouraged me to return to the pulpit and my response to him was I am called to ride the waves that God presents to me. So the Lord fed my soul for a year and allowed me to minister in strange ways and I rode that wave for as long as He allowed me to. The wave that followed is quite a bit different now, I once again have a congregation, but 90% of those who attend are addicts and prostitutes... I love it. It is right where God wants me now, its the wave that was presented and I'm fully engaged.
You know, I never did have an opportunity to really get to know you and Nan very well while we were there, but you've blessed us from a distance. When our Salvation Army friends ask us about Blue Ridge we consistently tell them that it was a year of healing and renewal.
I pray that we find our way back to you folks someday, but if not please allow me to say thank you for being faithful and for fostering an environment that allowed a tired Corps Officer to come rest, recharge, and heal.
Keep riding the wave...
Woody, Just wanted to let you know...Just yesterday my son & husband were baptisted! It all started with you & Blue Ridge. We had moved to Virginia to care for elderly in-laws. Once they passed away we were free to visit other churches. Hugh & Susan Hill invited us to Blue Ridge. From there it only got better. My husband had hated attending church until he heard you. There was no put on. Just you talking straight talk to the normal JOE. He was hooked. He started his journey there & now he has the full understanding. He was an engineer so it took him 4 years for it to totally click! He wanted to know the whys to everything. Now we are back in Alabama and plugged in to a NEW COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP that we are working to get off the ground. There are about 65 of us, just praying for God to lead the way. We don't have the building yet, but I am certain God has a plan & I can't wait to see where it will take us!
Blue Ridge Community Church,
I was evaluating your website for a class assingment and would like to let you all know that I was very impressed by the small groups, especially the Blue Ridge Student Ministries. The teaching on baptism was awsome. After several hours on your website, I logged off feeling encouraged by your love for Jesus and concern for salvation of your fellow man. Your pastor is without doubt, an anointed man of God! I pray the Lord continues to have His hand in every part of your ministry and continues to bless it as you are all a blessing to so many in your community!
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