Yesterday was a sweet day of worship for us to be with our family in Christ at OBC one last time. It was so important to us that this day not be about "us" but about Jesus. We wanted to make much of HIM because HE is the reason we gather and the One Who is to credit for anything good. God truly answered our prayers for this. It was a beautiful day as Sean preached "Christ crucified" and reminded us that it is the gospel that is God's power to us. We each have been given this explosive power to do whatever He has called us to do wherever He has called us to go. Just the reminder of what the gospel simply is- God's redemption on my behalf- fell fresh on my ears and heart. It made me grateful and overwhelmed by His love for me again. After the service there were many tears, hugs, sweet words, encouragement, and love expressed. This to me was the gospel in action. Jesus moving in the hearts of our family to show us His love. We have treaded these waters so cautiously in these last days at our church. We wanted Jesus to continue to be in the spotlight where He deserves to be. Jesus is the One Who leads the church and will continue to lead the church, regardless of who is in the pulpit. At the same time, it would be weird to act like our leaving wouldn't be difficult- for us and others who we have formed close relationships with throughout our 6 yrs here. Initially, I tried to be "so strong" and dismiss anyone that mentioned they would miss us or who started to cry. I just felt so uncomfortable with anyone "making over" us. Then, God reminded me that HE created emotions. He made us join together as a family through love, joy, happiness, grief, ....many experiences. He didn't create us as robots who just went through the motions without *e*motion.
"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart, and give you a tender, responsive heart." Ezekiel 36:26
You see, God uses these emotions to cause us to care for one another. He even uses our emotions to cause us to ultimately seek Him. How many times has desperation, tears, grief, and sadness driven you to your knees? You can't "do life" emotionless. How much we would miss out if we did not laugh, cry, grieve, and rejoice! I thought of the story of Lazarus. The simple verse that probably was a verse most of us could say we memorized first. Of course, it's also the shortest verse in the Bible. :)
"Jesus wept." John 11:35
Jesus, Who was God in flesh, had emotions. And He wept. He KNEW that Lazarus was going to be raised from the dead. He KNEW that in the end it would all be okay. He KNEW the truth of the moment, and yet..... He also KNEW His friends were hurting. He hurt for and with them. He wept.
We know that our leaving does not mean that the Word will not be preached at OBC anymore. We know that God will continue to faithfully lead His people there, that great things will continue to be done for the kingdom, and that nothing that happens was ever dependent upon Sean ...or ANY pastor that's come before or will come again. It's about Christ leading His church. Anything good that has ever happened under anyone's leadership at OBC has totally, completely been the LORD. Period. Yet, we had formed relationships here. We were loved. And we loved. Therefore, we wept. Others wept for and with us. Not because we didn't know this was a good thing for them, for us, and for all of us. But because we knew that following God's will meant that our ways would part in ministry. We wept that the closeness we share will now be separated through miles.
The tears continue to fall because to be loved and to love others is a beautiful thing. I'm grateful for the grace and the freedom to weep. In this, I also know there will be seasons of rejoicing and celebration just the same.
"Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus to Thee, be all glory giv'n.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
Oh, come let us adore Him!
Oh, come let us adore Him!
Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"
No comments:
Post a Comment