February 17 – “Look ahead”

I got word of yet another death yesterday.  Our good friend and former Seasider Ken called and told me his mother died.  She apparently had a stroke last week and never recovered.  There will not be a funeral service, though.  The family plans to gather at the graveside in a private ceremony.    Today I spent the day at Seaside Christian Academy.  The council decided to cut back to just one teacher and the administrative assistant because of the financial crisis and the loss of students.  I will spend as much time as I can on site so we can make sure there will always be several adults around.  This is a tough one.  We were sure God was in the start of the school.  We have seen him work in the lives of a lot of students over the course of the years we have been open.  Now we have to discern what is next in his plan.    Honestly, I am beginning to get excited again about the church, in spite of the conflict.  God has been sending us a whole different type of person over the last few months.  We have been a place historically where people have come who have little or no church background.  We have had very few leaders willing to take the risk of stepping out and responding to God's call in their lives.  That has begun to change.  And that means we have a chance to reboot our system - maybe make some changes to the way we present the message (that never changes).  We get to ask questions like "How can God best use these new leaders he is sending us?  What could it look like?  A  Sunday morning Bible study for all ages (i.e Sunday School)?  A Saturday evening off campus worship time?  Open up the exercise room for use by the community?"  That's the kind of thing we need to emphasize right now.  Look ahead.  Follow God's lead whatever it might look like.    I couldn't get to sleep last night.  This is where the Lord led me to give me peace.  What really matters?   Psalms 15:1-5 says, "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?  Who may live on your holy hill?  He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.  He who does these things will never be shaken."   Father, keep us on track.  In focus.  On what really matters.  Amen.