slow down, take time
breathe in, He said
He’d reveal what’s to come
the thoughts in His mind
always higher than mine
and He’ll reveal all to come
take courage, my heart
stay steadfast, my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
hold on to your hope
as your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing
You who holds the stars
who call them each by name
will surely keep Your promise to me
that I will rise in Your victory
Slow down. Stay steadfast. Take courage. All the things we need to hear (again and again). This song, by Bethel, was the first song performed at Catalyst, first thing on the first day. It wasn’t 9am and tears were spilling from my eyes. Why did I even bother with eye liner?!
I felt so held, so noticed by God in that moment. He was speaking to me. 8,000 church leaders in attendance, but I felt noticed. My heart had been heard. God knows exactly what we need, when we need it, doesn’t He? So awesome.
So, Catalyst was amazing. The theme was “of good courage” with the central verse being Joshua 1:9:
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go.
And this is likely why this Catalyst conference and its incredible speakers spoke so deep to my soul.
Take courage…He’s in the waiting.
Shoreline was represented well. Joe and I were so excited to be taking 7 people, all of whom were first-timers. It’s really hard to explain how impactful and life-changing Catalyst can be.
As always, incredible speakers were there, led off by Andy Stanley and included: Bob Goff, Christine Caine, Tim Tebow, Brene Brown, and Katie Davis Majors (love her!). Jeff Foxworthy provided some entertainment and Johnny Swim performed!
The highlight for me was Thursday night, when Robert Madu preached and Hillsong (the Hillsong) led worship.
It has been almost one year exactly since our first preview service at Shoreline. One year, say what?!
There have been years in the making of this church we call Shoreline. The process started officially back in 2014, though probably years before that in our hearts. I’ve shared this part – the first part – of our journey and the ensuing roller-coaster ride here and here.
In March of 2015, Joe sent a new church proposal to the higher-ups in our South Georgia Methodist conference.
In June of 2016, we moved to Valdosta. On October 16 we had our first monthly “preview” service. Then this winter, on February 5th, we had our launch service.
Between that March years ago and where we are today, there have been many hills and valleys on this journey. And I am learning that through it all, in the hard times and in the easier times, the hand of God is working.
You know, sometimes I have to remind myself why we are where we are. Our life looks a lot different than it did just over a year ago. There have been days I’ve missed the security and stability of the more “normal” life we led in the ministry. {I put normal in quotes because I get that life in the ministry rarely feels normal. And, by normal, I do not mean easy. Let that be very clear. I mean normal in the sense of what clergy life looks like on the traditional church path. I know very well the challenges of serving any church, the scrutiny your family experiences, and the daily stress of being in the ministry period.} But at times it’s easy to miss the more predictable, consistent life we lived before moving here.
We’ve lived in this new place, in this new life, for almost a year and a half now. It is surreal to think how much life has changed. We didn’t choose this path as much as it chose us. But we are grateful for it, for God entrusting this assignment to us. It is hard work. It is all-consuming and stressful. There is one challenge after another, and we have to be steadfast, not letting situations discourage us.
Hold on to your hope…He’s never failing.
There are days when we do let the circumstances dictate our outlook. When things don’t turn out the way we hoped or someone lets us down. We lose some of that optimism that was so plentiful at first. But knowing that we are here for a purpose, God can be trusted and He won’t let us down, gives us the courage to go on. To work harder, to pray more, to try again.
Love these words from the Catalyst session with Christine Caine (one of my favorite people):
Impossible is where God starts. Miracles are what God does.
She spoke of having the courage to move on and follow where God is taking you. To “take another lap” around our Jericho when necessary. She talked about the importance – the necessity – of filling our hearts with Jesus. Transformed hearts change the world.
That’s what Joe and I want to do with Shoreline, with the life God has given us. To let Him use us, use our gifts and our determination to serve Him to change the world.
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