Stretching Out

I’ve had so much that I wanted to write about the past couple of months.  I know that some of you want to hear more about my Bosnia trip, but I want to share with you something greater that God has been doing since Bosnia.  My faith has been tested time and again the past year and a half, and it hasn’t been that easy.  I’ve learned so much about myself, but the most important thing is that I’ve been able to know my God more.

My perspective on things in my life changed dramatically a couple of weeks after I returned from Bosnia in May.  I had to humble myself to a brother and to my God regarding a situation in my life that involved covetousness and envy.  I had to humble myself to the point where I washed my brother’s feet in front of those I love dearly.  It had to be done because it was keeping me from allowing God to use me.  It’s as if I hindered God’s vision for my life by making myself a slave to selfishness.  But after doing what I had to do, I sensed a peace that transcended anything that I could ever imagine and release from something that dragged me down.  I knew right then that God had a plan and that plan involved my being available to Him…me being obedient to Him…me all sold out for Him in reckless abandonment.

Since then, I know God has been building back a strength in me that I once had in Him…I lost it not too long ago because I lost sight of Him.  Instead, I was overwhelmed in my own pride.  My eyes have been opened to the things that He is planning to do and to the things He is currently doing.

Recently, I accepted a position as a worship leader for a church down in Woodland Park just west of Colorado Springs.  The church has had a vision to start a new Saturday night contemporary service – a service that would reach those who have been disenfranchised with church and its traditional ways.  Four of my brothers and I heard of the opportunity and made ourselves available to allow God to use us by my interviewing for the position.  It is an opportunity for us to use the abilities and the heart that God has given us for outreach and for building a community of believers and those who soon will be.  It’s an exciting time as I know God will reveal more of Himself to me, and to all of us.  We will witness His power and His love by obeying Him and knowing that He will guard our lives.  It’s a step that I’m not used to doing…it’s a step out of comfort, but a step into the great unknown that I believe will be full of God’s greatness and unending love.

My Building Brothers group and those in my eXodus small group hosted a community BBQ at my townhome complex on Saturday.  We had a huge turnout from those living here and the friends we have outside of the complex.  It was a fun time filled with food, music, outdoor sports, and conversations – true community.  From that one day, we were able to create new relationships with those who we probably would never have taken a second look at in passing.  The hearts of the people around me are filled with God’s vision for His Kingdom, and His Kingdom building.  It’s an exciting time for us to spread our wings and to lengthen our cords by going beyond what we know and understand – we’re stepping out in faith and we’re being obedient to the One who has called us to be His children.  It’s an exciting time!

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.  For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.”

 ~ Isaiah 54:2-3