This was certainly challenged this summer when we moved our home from CV to San Leandro. We had been in CV for 15 years, but the season had ended and we needed to find a new home. I don't know about you, but a businessman and a teacher make for a nightmare when it comes to moving. Way too much stuff. But through the transition, God is good! (All the time!)
We are again learning to trust in God for our provision (when does that ever change). I was reading this week and came across this verse:
2 Corinthians 5:17 English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
I think this verse is more than a one time statement of fact. It is a continual process of old things passing away, and new things coming. I often struggle with this concept, as I want the security and stability of routine, but God does not want us 'stuck' in a routine. He wants to change us a little each day to make us more like Him. So I need to learn to embrace change as the 'tool' that God uses to mold us into the image of His son, Jesus. I need to look through the change and earnestly search for the positive things that God can bring because of it.
What does that look like? Well it is different for each person and for each change we experience. Sometimes it is a new opportunity that God puts in our path, sometimes it means something in me is broken, or replaced with something more in line with God's plans. The important lesson is to look for what God is going to accomplish through the change, not how the change is affecting me.
As this relates to our musical community, I think we need to be open to what God is going to do through our ministry and how the music ministry will affect our larger Community here at Redwood. Change can be frightening, or exciting, depending upon how you approach it. Now that Pastor Ben is on board and taking the reigns of the Music/Worship ministry, and as he tries to guide the ministry in support of the vision that Pastor Doug and Pastor Jeff have laid out for our new community, there is bound to be some change. As members of this ministry, we can either bristle up and resist change, living in fear of the unknown, or we can embrace the change and vision of our leaders and allow our excitement to overflow as we look for how God will work through the change to bring us and our brothers and sisters in the community, closer to him, and hopefully, add many to our numbers so our fellowship will continue to grow and be strong.
I am looking forward to serving with each of you as we embrace the future together!
Craig
I think this verse is more than a one time statement of fact. It is a continual process of old things passing away, and new things coming. I often struggle with this concept, as I want the security and stability of routine, but God does not want us 'stuck' in a routine. He wants to change us a little each day to make us more like Him. So I need to learn to embrace change as the 'tool' that God uses to mold us into the image of His son, Jesus. I need to look through the change and earnestly search for the positive things that God can bring because of it.
What does that look like? Well it is different for each person and for each change we experience. Sometimes it is a new opportunity that God puts in our path, sometimes it means something in me is broken, or replaced with something more in line with God's plans. The important lesson is to look for what God is going to accomplish through the change, not how the change is affecting me.
As this relates to our musical community, I think we need to be open to what God is going to do through our ministry and how the music ministry will affect our larger Community here at Redwood. Change can be frightening, or exciting, depending upon how you approach it. Now that Pastor Ben is on board and taking the reigns of the Music/Worship ministry, and as he tries to guide the ministry in support of the vision that Pastor Doug and Pastor Jeff have laid out for our new community, there is bound to be some change. As members of this ministry, we can either bristle up and resist change, living in fear of the unknown, or we can embrace the change and vision of our leaders and allow our excitement to overflow as we look for how God will work through the change to bring us and our brothers and sisters in the community, closer to him, and hopefully, add many to our numbers so our fellowship will continue to grow and be strong.
I am looking forward to serving with each of you as we embrace the future together!
Craig
