The Old Man, Younger Man, and Me...

It is with mixed emotions that this post is written. The last few months have been some of the most intense moments of my life. It is from the perspective of a staff member that I share the following.

"The Old Man" as he called himself yesterday has become extremely dear to me. If you would have told me at the start of his time as interim pastor that would happen - I would not have believed you honestly. I was scared of him in some ways. When he first said his name was "Pastor" - I really wanted to run the other way. Now I understand fully why he is called that.. why he wants to be called that. I call him that with tenderness and not as a means of putting him up somewhere no one else belongs except God.... except Jesus.. I shall miss Pastor beyond words when his time here is up. Yet, I know, that he will remain with me for he is a part of who I am now. I am grateful beyond words for how God has used him not only in my life, hubby's life, our sons' lives, but in the life of our local church body.

The Younger Man was called yesterday as our new senior pastor by a vote of 99%. I can already say that not only I am thankful to have the opportunity to work for and along side of him but that he is my friend... my brother in Christ. After spending time with him, his wife Gina, and their six children, there is an excitement in the air that can be tasted and seen. I look forward to the ways that God is going to use Mark to help take our local body in to the future. To see beyond the past, the now...... what's next to come in the years ahead. For our local body is experiencing a revival.... an awakening in many ways. This weekend was definitely proof of that for reasons I won't go into here.

I am thankful for each of these men. I am grateful for their love for God that causes them to be willing to upset the apple cart and want change not for the sake of change alone.... To want to see others come to Jesus, want to know Him, to want to live for Him....... every moment, not just on Sundays or whenever they happen to be in the physical church building.

Who in your life do you need to be grateful for this moment?

Are you willing to upset the apple cart? To want change not for the sake of change alone?

Are you willing to say, "Here am I God. Change me. Use me. Move me." and actually let Him?

Are you trusting Him to do so and not relying on yourself?