Discouragement comes easy. I am convinced it’s one of the Devil’s most powerful tools against us because when we become discouraged we tend to become useless and useless people aren’t pursuing God’s vision for their lives.
This summer I was pretty useless. Allie was gone for the summer and my #2 (and only other help) left to pursue another great opportunity. I don’t blame him, but I got discouraged and lost all of my momentum. All of it.
Then October 18th rolled around and my wife told me that after 11 months of trying, she’s pregnant.
I’m going to be a daddy. Do I want to be an example to my kids of audacious faith in the face of discouragement and fear, or an example of missing out on joining God in His work?
Around the same time I found this guy (Jim Lepage, go buy something here; he has done a poster for every book of the Bible and they are all fantastic. Go, buy one now.) who makes posters from Bible verses. This one hit me square in the chest.
It’s taken from Zechariah 10:2b. Verse 3 continues with
”My anger burns against the shepherds,
and I will punish the leaders;
for the LORD Almighty will care
for his flock, the people of Judah,
and make them like a proud horse in battle.”
I cringe at the thought that I have oppressed the people of Greensboro by not living up to my responsibilities as a shepherd. It’s amazing how a bit of right perspective can smack discouragement out of place.
Therefore, I am happy to announce that next Thursday Allison and I will be hosting our first church plant interest meeting. We will then be starting a small group where we will focus on personal health in the new year, and on the vision and core values of the church we will plant. These first few months will determine when our first public service will be held, but it could be as soon as this fall.
Earlier this year I was terrified of planting a church, and in part still am, but it is far better than the alternative of being disobedient to God, of being a man I would not want my child to emulate, and of continuing to oppress the people of God. Please pray for me, for the people of Greensboro who we look to reach, and for everyone involved in the plant. I can’t wait to see all that God has in store!
